|
|
|
Croquet - A Gentleman’s Sport?
George Gershwin, an early American musical genius, transformed public opinion on a style of music that was up until that time found mainly in such “unrepeatable” places as bars and speak-easies. The uniquely American sounds of early jazz received a...
Do You Fear Golf Weight Training Programs
In a sport that hardly has any controversies; few issues have come as close to being controversial as golf weight training programs have. More so with amateur and non-professional golfers. And yet if you really examine the facts, golf weight...
Highland Falls Golf Club Las Vegas
Highland Falls Golf Club Las Vegas - Highland Falls is one of
the sportiest layouts in the Valley. The par-72, 6,512-yard
course lies at an elevation of 3,053 feet, which means it offers
stunning panoramic views of the Las Vegas Valley. The...
Sprint kayaks
Sprint kayaks are harder to keep upright than regular kayaks. Sprint kayaks are the best type of kayaks for people who are intending to race. While you will probably not need to have your own kayak when you first start out (if you are racing on a...
Where To Find 10 Fly Fishing Tips In A Single Paragraph
When looking for information on how to fly fish, fly fishing tips or fly fishing techniques, many anglers, or anglers to be,who limit their search to books or material written ithin the last few years or decades are short-changing themselves.
...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
What the heck is BOSU?
What in the World Is BOSU?
You may have seen them in the gym: half of a large rubber ball that's flat on one side. They're often blue in color and look like a gigantic outtie belly button. "What are those things?" you wonder. Well they're BOSU balls (or balance trainers). It's the latest rave to hit fitness centers across America.
BOSU is an acronym that stands for "Both Sides Up". You can use the balls, also referred to as trainers, or balance trainers, on either side. Whether the rounded bouncy dome part is up or the flat 25 inch platform side is up, you'll get different types of balance challenges.
This cross-training fitness invention has its origins in the field of medicine, balance, functional and sports specific training. It offers a different means to make exercise more appealing and effective for average people, fitness fanatics and highly trained athletes.
So what do you do with it? You can walk, run, step, hop, jump and leap on the BOSU trainer. You can work it at an easy steady rate-pace that can be maintained for long periods or push the intensity with anaerobic intervals. Or do some stretching on it. Active stretches use the muscles of the body to move a body part whereas passive stretching uses gravity or an outside force to put
stretch-tension on the target muscle(s). While standing or kneeling on the dome, you can move the upper body lower, higher, to the sides or by reaching for and picking up cards from various locations on the floor, or by touching and/or relocating cones that have been placed in close proximity to the dome. It's great for working your trunk too. Maintaining spinal alignment is important to low back health and sports performance.
Many sports teams use BOSU training too. Says Bennie Wylie, Assistant Strength Coach of the Dallas Cowboys "I implement the BOSU trainer during our off-season program for core strength training and rehabilitation of ankle and knee problems. It is a great piece of equipment and gives us an important extra dimension to our overall fitness program. Almost all of the players use the BOSU trainer in some fashion on a regular basis."
So the next time you overhear a conversation in the grocery store or your friend tells you that she's going to the 5:30 p.m. BOSU class at the Y, you'll know what they're talking about. Better yet, give it a try yourself!
About the Author
Joe Serpico is webmaster at aa-fitness-guide.com. For much more information regarding exercise, health, nutrition, and fitness, visit http://www.aa-fitness-guide.com
|
|
|
|
|
|