July is a great month to try something new. With a month like this, why not try something explosive. By this I mean plyometric exercises which are a type of exercise using explosive movements to develop muscular power.
The BOSU Balance Trainer is one the tools that we use for functional training but can also be used for a variety on plometric exercises. The name BOSU is an acronym which stands for “both sides up”. This means that you can literally use either side to perform different exercises. Each side actually feels completely different which you will quickly find out when you attempt to stand on it. But be careful if it is your first time because it is not a toy and you could possibly hurt yourself. It would probably good to have some assistance in order to give it a try.
It was introduced in 2000 and has become a staple in equipment for every functional training facility. It is even used for group exercise classes in some facilities. If you have never done any type of balance training or even heard of it, it might be time to add something new to your routine. One purpose of balance training is to activate multiple muscles at once. If you were to do an exercise on the floor you would be completely balanced. If you took that same exercise and now did it on the BOSU, it would be a completely different exercise that would fire off so many more muscles, and at the same strengthening your joints. This is also why it can be a tool to help prevent injury in athletes or even help rehab a past injury. It might not look like much but it is a very versatile piece of equipment.
Check out this video to see some great explosive movements on the BOSU.
By: Sean Salazar, CPT
