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What you aren't training (but should)

Jul 13, 2011 at 9:25 PM by Sheryl Mooney

Developing good balance is essential when you're training, and it positively impacts your everyday life as well.  However, it's an area often overlooked.  A vast majority of our population find themselves vulnerable to falls due to lack of balance as they get older which is why it is so important to start this process earlier and incorporate balance into your fitness program.  Test your balance with this simple assessment.  Stand on one leg with the other leg parallel to the floor (meaning the thigh of the raised leg is parallel to the floor).  Close one eye then close both eyes.  You should be able to hold this position for at least 20 seconds.  Then do the same with the position of the legs reversed.  If you cannot stand on one leg with your eyes closed without toppling or putting your foot down for more than a few seconds - or if you can do it for 20 seconds on one leg but not the other, then you need to work on your balance.  Try some of these balance moves:


Stand with one foot in front of the other, heel to toe and raise your arms straight up over your head. Lean to one side keeping your abdominals, glutes and hips tight.  Do the same thing but lean forward or backward.


Another balance exercise is to stand with one foot in front of the other, heal to toe and hold your index finger about ten inches in front of your face.  Lift your finger up and follow it with your eyes, then move it down below your shoulders and then to each side.  Then repeat those movements with your eyes closed.   Practice these for about ten repetitions.  Not only will this improve your balance, but you find that your core will get stronger.

Categories: fitness exercise
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