Balance and Aging, continued
What are balance training aids?
Recently the use of balance training aids has become popular. These aids are a good way to improve your balance. Balance training aids are popular with those athletes who do sports that require a good sense of balance.
The two main training aids are the balance board and core disk. Another more expensive option is the Bosu.
Balance Board
There are a range of names and design variations of the balance board. Examples, in addition to balance board, include wobble board, rocker board and ring board.
The most common design generally is a disc on top of a central hub. You stand on the board and then use the instability to practice balance.
The first movement is while holding onto the back of a chair or other fixed object, standard on the board with feet the same distance from the center and start rocking the board from side to side, from edge to edge. Since the edge touches the ground at the end of the movement most users do not feel too off balance. You then progress to not holding on to a support and a number of other exercises. Most balance boards come with a booklet or DVD of movements and exercises.
Examples of balance boards are the Fitness by Cathe Adjustable Core Balance Board with DVD
Core Disk
The core disk is a partially inflated cushion. Most are round. Many have one side smooth, the other bumpy, to give two different levels of dificulty. Other common names include balance cushion and balance disk.
The partial inflation makes the disk a little unstable.
As with the balance board, start by holding onto a chair or similar potential support and stand on the disk. When you feel comfortable let go of the support. Then if you wish you can progress to one legged or closing the eyes.
Once you get the hang of it, you can incorporate it into daily life. Try standing on it while talking on the telephone.
The core disk is the cheapest option, the smallest and the easiest to store.
An example of a core disk is the GoFit Core Disk and Training DVD
Bosu
The Bosu looks like half a balance ball on a frame. It is much bigger than a balance board or a core disk, but is much easier to get onto. This is the most expensive option. The Bosu comes with a DVD. If you are also interested in fitness and strengthening it is the most versatile. The downside is that it is rather bulky, so storage can be a problem. It is certainly fun to jump up and down on it, though. The home version of the Bosu Balance Trainer
Books and DVDs for using balance training aids.
If you wish to go further with these aids than the information provided with them, there are some books and DVD’s, that use these pieces of equipment.
A popular book is The Great Balance and Stability Handbook
A very nice book is Balance Training: Stability Workouts for Core Strength and a Sculpted Body
In the near future, with these aids rapidly gaining popularity there is sure to be a significant number of new books and DVD’s that will be geared to all levels of ability.
The above balance aids help add variety to improving balance, but are certainly not necessary for improving balance. Decide what will work for you.
The bottom line
Don't let poor balance make you older. Look younger, don't have that "looking down" aging way of walking. Don't let your horizons be narrowed by no longer being able to easily walk wherever you want.
