Balance training improves balance and proprioception, reducing the risk of falls and injuries. It increases efficiency and flexibility, and can be done with bodyweight or props. Seniors, athletes, and people of all ages can benefit from incorporating balance training into their exercise routine.
Balance training is a type of exercise designed to improve balance and proprioception, the feeling of knowing where the body and its joints are in space. Regular balance training can be beneficial to people of all ages and can provide a wide variety of benefits that make it an excellent thing to incorporate into a regular athletic routine. Most of the exercises can easily be performed in an assortment of settings, from the house to a forest trail, and can be learned from books or from a trained balance instructor.
In balance training, the goal is to increase the body’s agility and connect someone with their own center of gravity. One of the most immediate effects of training is a reduction in the risk of falling, because falls are caused by a lack of balance and those with a good sense of proprioception are less likely to fall. People are also less prone to injuries from minor balance issues, such as twisted ankles from carelessly descending a flight of stairs.
Regular balance training can also make someone more efficient and more flexible. Knowing one’s sense of balance and one’s body can help someone move more efficiently, ensuring that energy isn’t wasted on ineffective movement. A runner, for example, will find that he runs cleaner, is less prone to ankle injuries, and suffers fewer falls with balance training.
Some exercises are conducted with the body only. For example, someone might stand on one leg and throw alternating punches. Punches shift the center of gravity, forcing the athlete to correct their position in space to avoid falling. Over time, this exercise strengthens the body’s sense of balance. Props such as weights, balance balls, trampolines, straps, and so on can also be used to test the body’s balance and push the body to work harder.
Seniors are often encouraged to engage in balance training to improve their overall health. The workout can also be combined with yoga, pilates, swimming, and other gentle forms of exercise to promote overall muscle tone and core strength. Athletes often benefit from this training and may see significant improvement when using balance exercises tailored to their sport. Even the youngest can find the experience productive and rewarding, as it can make everything from walking in heels to recreational cycling easier and more comfortable.
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