I know what you’re thinking. Wait a second, why is a fitness blog is writing about balance? I’m here to get tips on how to lift more or run faster, not how to ice skate or work out like a dancer. I don’t need to work on my balance. My balance is fine. When am I ever just on one foot, anyway?

All the time, actually. Whenever you walk or run you are on one foot, and your balance is being tested. Balance is an overlooked aspect of fitness, it’s true, and no it doesn’t give you boulder shoulders or calves to make a bodybuilder weep, but it does keep you hale and healthy and will aid you significantly later in life. Older populations have trouble with their balance, and the only way to work on it is to actually practice balancing. Besides, it can help strengthen the intrinsic muscles of your foot, help stabilize your ankle and hip joints, and overall make you more confident. You won’t have to worry as much about falling into the stream you are crossing while backpacking if you work on your balance. You’ll be able to just do it.

Working on balance is a matter of getting to a point where you are comfortable balancing on one or two feet, then adding a source of instability. This can be as simple as closing your eyes or adding some mats to the floor to make it softer, or as challenging as getting a Bosu or stability disk and standing on that. You can do exercises such as squats or bodyweight deadlifts on it as well, to add some difficulty and work your muscles in different ways. Just remember to move up gradually, as you would when trying to increase mileage or strength.


About the Author

Kisar Dhillon – A Personal Fitness Trainer in Portland, Oregon. Need to get toned, lose weight, lose body fat, and increase lean muscle. If you need fitness trainer in Portland, then Kisar is the one. He is a personal trainer Portland OR with 25 years of experience and has expertise in health & fitness industry.For more information visit us today : http://kisardhillon.com