“Proprioception: the ability to sense the position and location and orientation and movement of the body and its parts”: seems like a really basic concept, but I found that balance is a huge part of training that the average person takes for granted or doesn’t practice at all. Balance training is a very important aspect that should be added to anyone’s fitness routine.

There are three major benefits of balance training that I want to go over, along with my favorite products to go with them.

1. Improves Core Strength: This could be the most important reason to incorporate balance training into your fitness routine. A strong core is going to help you keep correct posture, aid in the efficient transfer of energy to your extremities. It’s also going to help prevent potential injuries that may result from twisting or bending incorrectly.

2. Improves Joint Stability: this refers to the amount of resistance offered by the muscles, tendons and tissues that surround a joint. Among many benefits, the most important aspect of healthy joints is if you move in an unnatural or unorthodox way, your joint isn’t compromised by rolling, turning or even breaking.

3. No need for expensive equipment: This is a HUGE benefit of balance training. While some fitness routines require large equipment or access to a gym. Balance training can be mastered in the comfort of your own living room. This leads me to my favorite balance accessories.
My Balance training Favorites

The BOSU ball.
If you have never used a Bosu ball before, it often starts as a love hate relationship. The ball is designed to keep users slightly off balance while you practice different exercises with it. The unstable surface will require the user to recruit more core muscles which will definitely help improve your balance and proprioception. Bosu ball packages now come with 4 different DVD workouts aswell! Making core conditioning much easier!

The Indo-board:

This has to be my absolute favorite balance training system in Fitness Town, although this package is definitely not for the faint of heart. Indo-board gives many of the same benefits as the Bosu ball does, allowing the user to do many different exercises on the board, but it can offer varying degrees of difficulty. You begin using the Indo-board with the balance cushion. Once you feel that you have mastered this, you can challenge yourself to balance on the cylinder! With the cylinder moving from side you side, the Indo-board will quickly bring any muscle imbalances in your legs or core