There's nothing I love more than a great balance exercise. Not only do balance exercises require you to engage more muscle groups during the movement, they're also a key component of full-body fitness. As we age, if we don't maintain our balance and flexibility, our range of motion shortens, our gait changes and we become more susceptible to falls and accompanying injuries. In order to continue living functionally well into old age, it's critical that balance and flexibility form a cornerstone in our wellness routines.
While any exercise that's performed on a single leg or that requires you to change body position during the movement (like walking lunges) will help you enhance your balance, it's important to continue challenging yourself as you improve. If you've already mastered floor-based balance exercises and you're looking for a way to step up your routine, consider trying the one-legged balance deadlift in this video. You'll notice that I perform the exercise on a BOSU ball, but you can try it on almost any unstable surface, like a balance disk or pillow. Just be careful - if you feel yourself losing your balance, step off the surface and try again, rather than continuing the exercise and setting yourself up for a fall.
Not sure you're ready for this move? Check out the modifications discussed at the end of the video to make it fit your current balance ability.
Remember: Always consult your doctor before starting an exercise program and be sure to listen to your body while performing any exercise. A little discomfort from physical exertion is okay, but actual pain is not okay.
The material appearing on Girls Gone Sporty, LLC is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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