Balance is a crucial component of your overall health and fitness, and it’s something that’s often overlooked.
Whether you’re trying to walk through a crowded sidewalk or uneven ground, going down stairs, pivoting in a basketball game, or performing an exercise, your body relies on balance to stay safe and perform efficiently.
In this article, we’ll break down what balance is, why it’s important for everyday life and athletic performance, and how you can improve it.
What is Balance?
Balance is your body’s ability to maintain its center of gravity over its base of support. This is what keeps you upright when you stand, walk, or move. It’s especially important on uneven or changing surfaces.
Balance relies on coordination between your visual system (eyes), vestibular system (inner ear), proprioception (sense of body position), and muscular strength and control.
There are two primary types of balance:
- Static balance: Maintaining a position without movement (e.g., standing on one leg)
- Dynamic balance: Maintaining control while moving (e.g, walking, jumping)
Balance is Important at Every Age
Regardless of your age or stage in your fitness journey, improving your balance plays a crucial role in your overall lifestyle.
Injury Prevention: Falls are one of the leading causes of injury, particularly among older adults. Poor balance can lead to slips and instability. Training your balance can help reduce the risk of falls, which can lead to sprains, fractures, and traumatic injuries. Balance training helps teach your body to respond more efficiently to shifts in position or terrain.
Improved Athletic Performance: Balance is a fundamental part of control, coordination, and agility – all of which are crucial for athletes. Balance increases your ability to cut, pivot, land, and react quickly, all while maintaining correct posture and a high level of power.
Better Posture & Core Strength: A strong core leads to good balance. As you train your balance, you will also strengthen your core muscles, which support your spine and pelvis. This will improve your posture and reduce pain, especially in the lower back.
Exercises to Improve Your Balance
In this video, we walk through a series of balance exercises designed to challenge your stability. The routine includes:
- Lock out your knees, lift one foot off the ground, and hold.
- To make this more difficult, bend the knee slightly. This will force you to stabilize through your hips, knees, and ankles.
- Progress to performing these exercises on an unstable surface, such as a foam pad or BOSU ball.
- Finally, try these exercises with your eyes closed. Start on a stable surface before progressing to an unstable surface.
We Can Help
Balance is not just for athletes; it’s a crucial skill for everyone, especially for seniors. You don’t need fancy equipment or complicated routines to train it, but working with a Certified Personal Trainer can help you stay consistent and advance your abilities.
Contact us at Uno’s Fitness to set up a free consultation and let us help you with your health and fitness goals.
Your message has been sent
Leave a comment