Making Balance Training Accessible to Everyone

By Douglas S. Brooks, M.S., Exercise Physiologist

Personal trainers, group fitness professionals and physical therapists are interested in the utility of a new BOSU product. The BOSU Balance Trainer can be extremely challenging, especially for first time users and special populations. By incorporating the BOSU 3D System, or a “docking station” for the BOSU Balance Trainer and other balance training devices, a challenging and potentially frustrating experience transforms to an enjoyable one and a building block for future success. The BOSU 3D System features an adjustable balance bar and two resistance tubing attachment points integrated into the unit.

This benefit of balance training accessibility is highlighted when professionals work with less fit, unskilled or older individuals who need a helping hand or easier progression when performing integrated balance exercises. Furthermore, if a trainer or therapist is working with two or more people simultaneously, a less skilled participant is still able to participate and progress at their own level because the 3D System serves as a built in spotter. Fitness and health professionals comment that the 3D System’s platform and balance bar is a simple, yet effective solution for many programming and rehabilitation challenges. It is especially helpful when catering to the 50-plus, injured, rehabilitation, de-conditioned and some youth populations.

Using the balance bar, which acts like a virtual spotter, a client, group fitness participant or patient now has the ability to exercise safely and progressively using the 3D System. For example, a de-conditioned older adult may be unable to stand on the BOSU Balance Trainer unassisted. It is no secret that this population greatly benefits from balance training, and this is where the 3D System gains recognition. Balance training becomes accessible and successful to everyone.

Benefits of the BOSU 3D System include the following:

· Allows participant to self-spot

· Provides options to regress balance/integrated training progressions

· Using the balance bar opens up a new category of assisted exercises

· Small groups can progress appropriately, even when individual skills vary greatly

· Balance assistance is portable and can be positioned anywhere within a training or rehabilitation environment

· Load progressions can be added, using balance assistance

· A wide variety of resistance tubing may be incorporated using the attachment points

By offering the option of using the adjustable balance bar and resistance tubing attachment points, a whole new category of portable balance and strength exercises opens up. Additionally, the BOSU 3D System frees up health and fitness professionals to teach, coach and motivate because, literally, it is just like having another spotter in the room!

Douglas S. Brooks, M.S. is acknowledged as one of the country’s premier personal trainers by numerous publications. Coach Brooks holds a Master’s Degree in exercise physiology, is the author of six books, including the best selling Going Solo: The Art of Personal Training and Program Design for Personal Trainers: Bridging Theory Into Application as well as numerous educational manuals. He frequently conducts lectures and educational workshops on exercise physiology, kinesiology, strength training and personal training throughout the world.