A BOSU ball is the nickname given to a BOSU Balance Trainer. This fitness training device has been around for 17 years yet it has only recently reached a mainstream tipping point.
Invented by David Weck, the BOSU ball is an inflated circular piece of rubber that is connected to a rigid platform. The ball's name is an acronym that stands for "both sides up.” "Both sides up” is a reference to the two ways the BOSU ball can be used for physical activity. Some people also refer to the BOSU ball as the “blue half-ball” due to the fact that it resembles a stability ball that has been chopped in half.
How To Use A BOSU Ball
When the BOSU ball's dome side faces up, it creates an unstable force yet the device itself remains stable. It is this blend of stability and instability that makes it possible for people of all ages to use the BOSU ball. As long as the dome side is facing up, the BOSU ball can be used for aerobic activities and various athletic drills. Users can also flip the ball over to allow the platform to face up. This position makes the device unstable, creating the opportunity to use it for other types of exercise. You can use the BOSU ball for anything from squats to curl lifts, overhead presses, deadlifts and beyond.
Why BOSU Balls Have Become Popular
BOSU balls are typically used for balance training and to improve muscle strength. Studies have shown that using the BOSU ball's unstable surface boosts activation of one's rectus abdominus, creating the potential for more intensive and extensive activity compared to what is possible when using a stable surface.
When exercises like curl-ups are performed on the BOSU ball, more electromyography activity is generated than when the same exercises are performed on stable platforms. The ball forces one to use the majority of his core muscles to attain balance. This is precisely why many football teams have incorporated BOSU ball workouts into their training sessions. Ask anyone who has used a BOSU ball and he will almost certainly testify to its merit. This ball is perfect for building up the core muscles, improving balance and maximizing explosiveness.
If you are looking for some guidance in terms of how to properly use a BOSU ball or other exercise equipment, make a beeline for the Downtown Athletic Club. Our physical fitness experts can help you shed weight, tone muscles and improve your balance.
Invented by David Weck, the BOSU ball is an inflated circular piece of rubber that is connected to a rigid platform. The ball's name is an acronym that stands for "both sides up.” "Both sides up” is a reference to the two ways the BOSU ball can be used for physical activity. Some people also refer to the BOSU ball as the “blue half-ball” due to the fact that it resembles a stability ball that has been chopped in half.
How To Use A BOSU Ball
When the BOSU ball's dome side faces up, it creates an unstable force yet the device itself remains stable. It is this blend of stability and instability that makes it possible for people of all ages to use the BOSU ball. As long as the dome side is facing up, the BOSU ball can be used for aerobic activities and various athletic drills. Users can also flip the ball over to allow the platform to face up. This position makes the device unstable, creating the opportunity to use it for other types of exercise. You can use the BOSU ball for anything from squats to curl lifts, overhead presses, deadlifts and beyond.
Why BOSU Balls Have Become Popular
BOSU balls are typically used for balance training and to improve muscle strength. Studies have shown that using the BOSU ball's unstable surface boosts activation of one's rectus abdominus, creating the potential for more intensive and extensive activity compared to what is possible when using a stable surface.
When exercises like curl-ups are performed on the BOSU ball, more electromyography activity is generated than when the same exercises are performed on stable platforms. The ball forces one to use the majority of his core muscles to attain balance. This is precisely why many football teams have incorporated BOSU ball workouts into their training sessions. Ask anyone who has used a BOSU ball and he will almost certainly testify to its merit. This ball is perfect for building up the core muscles, improving balance and maximizing explosiveness.
If you are looking for some guidance in terms of how to properly use a BOSU ball or other exercise equipment, make a beeline for the Downtown Athletic Club. Our physical fitness experts can help you shed weight, tone muscles and improve your balance.
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