Archive for category Stability and Balance

Have you ever seen people at the gym doing crunches on a stability ball? Or balancing on one leg while they perform a shoulder press? Maybe you have seen people standing on a bosu ball as they perform a squat?

Why are they doing that? What is the theory behind exercise being performed on an unstable surface? Let your Scottsdale personal trainer explain.

It’s simple really. When you are in an unstable position you are forced to engage your core muscles as you balance, which in turn will require you to become aware of your posture. From there, your body is forced to adapt to the stress you are placing on it, and it will eventually learn stability and balance. These two factors are HUGELY related to your core strength. One directly affects the other. So working your stability and balance will also help develop core muscles.

Stability and Balance can easily get forgotten in the gym, but it’s so easy to sneak them into your workout. For example, try standing on a wobble board and do some bicep curls. Not only will your biceps get a workout, but your ankles will get strengthened from all the shaking and balancing. Think of how this will affect you as you get older. Wouldn’t you like to NOT twist your ankle if you fall off a curb? The time you spend on stability and balance in the gym could actually save you from a bad fall in the future. Continue reading “Stability and Balance” »