Bosu Balance Trainer Home Version

The Bosu trainer is a great tool to strengthen legs and improve balance. I have found using the Bosu at work has helped improve my much abused knees. It is also great at improving balance which has helped me in my martial arts.

I took a BOSU workout class, and found it was a great workout - definitely much more challenging then it looks.

My instructor does a SCULPTING section using weights (while sitting or kneeling on bosu), lunges/squats, and push-up type moves...all of these were incredibly tough because of the bosu makes you wobble and forces you to use a lot of extra muscles to stay balanced.

My instructor also does a CARDIO section using Step Aerobics type moves, and this was really difficult because of the wobble factor. (It is kind of like when you walk around in sand - the surface you step on gives -- but not exactly). I think this could be used by variety of users: beginers/interm can take smaller/more controlled steps, while advanced users can do large motions, jumps, etc.

I also like doing ABS on a bosu cause it really makes you feel the burn more (including lower abs!!), and also depending on how you lay on the bosu you can get a wider range of motion than doing crunches on a flat floor.

The reason why I bought this balance trainer is to strengthen my ankles. I hike a lot and last year alone; I sprained my ankles like 10+ times on the John Muir Trail. After using it 3X/week for almost 2 months now, I have to say my ankles are 'strengthening...'. I can't wait for my next big hike now!

In addition, not only that I don't sprain my ankles anymore on uneven trail while running, my balance during golf swing has also improved. I have never been more confidence addressing the golf ball now.

Try this to increase the intensity; stand on one left and bend your knee(this is tougher than the normal one leg stand on the ball). Do not perform this activity if you cannot balance yourself with a a STRAIGHT leg first.

I use floor mat to do Pilate which is sufficient for a novice like me. Hence, I don't use this balance trainer for pilate.

The Bosu is fun!. It offers new fitness challenges - standing, bouncing, lunging, or squatting off of it requires stabilization and balance in addition to the muscle work these moves require on flat ground. It's great for cardio, toning, flexibility, and, of course, balance. This versatile tool is easy to inflate and care for. I love my new toy!

What a terrific core work-out. Once you get used to balancing using your core the work-out is ideal. An instruction dvd came with the bosu and I use it on days when I don't have much time as it is 30 minutes, also I own 2 longer bosu work-out dvd's (1 hr +) that I exercise to on the weekends. I actually own 2 bosu balls.