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A Guide to Treadmill Reviews
Are you in need of some good exercise, but you don't want to miss your favorite shows by going to
the gym? If that is the case, you may be interested in getting a treadmill. With your own
treadmill, you can exercise and watch TV at the same...
Creatine and Teenagers
Continually in the news people see the questions about creatine
and a teenager. Especially in high school sports where in some
cases the supplement has been banned. But if you have read the
creatine article entitled "Creatine: What is it?" you...
Football 101 – A Girl’s Guide To Football – Why The Game Matters
Can I tell you how tired I am of single women complaining about how hard it is to meet a decent man? The problem is not a dearth of quality men, in fact I know quite a few single gems, but rather where the ladies are looking. You aren’t going to...
Great For Beginners - The Inflatable Sit-On-Top Kayak
For beginners, inflatable kayaks are usually the place to start
learning. Sit-on-top models have introduced many people to this
growing sport.
Inflatable kayaks are a great way to go for leisure and
recreational purposes. Inflatable...
Is There Anything Wrong With Used Golf Equipment?
If you are on a budget, but golf is your sport of choice, you
have many options to purchase pre-owned golf equipment. From
gently worn items to golf carts that no longer suit the needs of
fellow golfers, there are countless ways to find high...
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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
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