Five Exercises to Train Your Balance
If you want to be an athletic person, you need to have some kind of balance.
Balance is a valuable skill and reflex that will help you in the gym while you’re exercising and in your daily life. Like any skill, balance can be trained and practiced.
The best way to train balance is to work on the small stabilizer muscles in your legs, core, and upper body. If you want to be better with balance, try out these five exercises:
Leg Swings
Leg swings are a simple way to warm up your legs before a workout while getting your body accustomed to balancing.
To perform a leg swing, stand on one leg with your hands at your sides. Make sure you have a stable stance.
Slowly move your raised leg forward and backward while touching the floor for balance. As you feel more comfortable, increase your speed.
After 10-12 repetitions, switch sides and repeat for as many sets as needed!
Pistol squats
Pistol squats are a great way to train your entire leg, core, and balance all at the same time. They can be done with or without a weight, but it’s better to start without one until you get used to it.
To perform a pistol squat, stand on one leg. Slowly squat down on one leg. As you lower yourself, stretch out your raised leg and arms in front of you to maintain balance.
Once you are as low as you can comfortably go, push your way back up. Repeat the movement on the other side.
Split squats
Split squats differ from pistol squats in that they are slightly easier and require less coordination. You can use more weight and it places less stress on your knees and hips.
Start with both feet hip width apart. Take one step back with your left foot. Plant your right foot into the ground.
Using your front leg, bend your knee and lower yourself until your thigh is parallel with the ground.
Push your way back up using your front leg. Repeat for 8-12 repetitions, then switch sides.
Skaters
Skaters are a more dynamic balance movement. They’re a great way to get your heart beating before or during a workout.
Skaters start with both feet hip width apart and knees slightly bent. Using your left leg, jump to your right side and land on your right leg.
Once you land, push through your right leg to jump to your left side. Land on your left leg and repeat the movement as fast as you can for thirty seconds.
Single leg t-pose fly
This is a movement that will work your core, legs, and back muscles at the same time. It’s a fantastic movement to add to your workout routine.
Bend your knees slightly. Bend forward at the waist and lift your left leg straight behind you. From the side, your body should look like the letter “T.”
With a slight bend in your arms, lift a pair of weights straight out to your side and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Perform 8-12 repetitions, then switch legs. Repeat for four sets.
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