To get started, try these expert-approved exercises.
After all, balance training is a necessity only for old folks and yoga lovers, right?
What Is Balance?
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Translation: Balance plays a key role in injury prevention.
While all of your muscles come into play,your hip stabilizersandcoreare essential.
“Balance isn’t inherent it’s not something that you have naturally,” says Moore.
“Just like any muscle in your body, you have to work at it.”
Once you hit that benchmark, try doing the exercise with your eyes closed, she says.
Once you’ve mastered that move, repeat it with your eyes closed, suggests Moore.
(Trust, it’s much more challenging than it seems.)
Or, you might focus on single-leg exercises, such aspistol squatsand single-leg deadlifts, according to the experts.
6 Exercises to Improve Balance
Not sure how to get started with your balance training?
Try a few of Moore’s go-to exercises to improve balance, which she demonstrates below.
Remember, the more you practice these moves, the better your balance will be.
B.Shift weight into right foot and lift left foot a few inches off the floor.
Hold for up to 30 seconds.
Switch sides; repeat.
Reverse Lunge
A.Stand with feet together and hands resting on hips.
Do 10 reps. Switch sides; repeat.
Single-Leg Hip Hike
A.Stand with feet together and arms at sides, hands resting on hips.
Shift weight into right foot and lift left foot a few inches off the floor.
This is the starting position.
B.Keeping right leg straight, bend torso slightly to the left side and lower left hip a few inches.
C.Pause, then bend torso to the right side to lift left hip back up to the starting position.
Single-Leg Deadlift
B.Engage core and pull shoulder blades down and back.
Shift weight into left leg and bend left knee slightly.
Continue lowering until hips are fully pushed back and hands are as close to the flooras possible.
This is the starting position.
B.Bend right knee to lower left foot all the way to the floor.
C.Pause, then straighten right leg to lift left foot off the floor and return to the starting position.
