Balance Boards

We emphasize this over and over, but it's worth all the repeating - balance is one of the most important aspects of staying physically fit throughout your life. As people age, they especially start to lose side-to-side balance, so you want to keep yourself strong in that area early on. If you're interested in getting into advanced balance training, you can try a board such as the Bongo Board pictured above. Balance boards like these have been used by physical therapists for years. They're also used by athletes for training in sports like surfing, skateboarding and skiing. But even if you're not recovering from an injury or training for an extreme sport, a balance board is a great tool to add to your fitness program. First, you practice standing on one while facing a wall for support. Begin with a carpeted surface so that there's not much traction - it's also a good idea to have a friend spot you. Once you get your footing and feel confident, you can try many traditional exercises such as squats or lunges while on the balance board. (You can also build core stability and upper body strength by performing balance board push-ups.) Keep in mind that if you're new to balance boards, you won't be able to do any of this overnight - it's definitely a challenge, but a fun one. Just learning how to stand on one of these boards will take you a long way in building side-to-side strength. And if you are a surfer or skier, you'll be surprised at how much it enhances your sport.