What are Bosu balls?

Bosu balls, also known, as exercise balls, or stability balls, come in various shapes and sizes, and people often question what to do with them. The term “bosu ball” is used interchangeably with the full ball, and the balance trainer that resembles the ball cut in half. Regardless of what you want to call them they both have great benefits.

Bosu Ball Benefits

• Develop better balance
• Strengthens the core muscles
• Useful for dynamic stretching
• Make body weight workouts more intense

There are various balance exercises that can be done with an exercise ball, whether it’s simply practicing sitting on the ball, or performing different movements while balancing on the ball. Using the ball for planks, or as an office chair alternative can help strengthen the core muscles that help you keep a good posture when sitting.

Dynamic stretching tends to be the recommended method of stretching when it comes to warming up before a workout, so you can incorporate bosu balls in that dynamic stretching routine, such as decompressing the spine or stretching out the upper body. As mentioned previously, planks using a stability ball can make your ab workouts more difficult, but it can also be used to intensify many other bodyweight workouts such pushups, or even hamstring curls if you want an alternative rather than using a hamstring curl machine.

Bosu Board Benefits

• Improve ankle and calf strength
• Adds more plyometric capability
• Helps maintain posture for standing office desks

The bosu board shares a lot of similarities to the full ball, as they both utilize a bouncy surface. However, the board allows you to stand completely on it a lot easier than standing on a whole ball. These boards are commonly used in rehab facilities for balancing and lower leg strengthening exercises for those who have sprained ankles, plantar fasciitis, or achilles injuries.

Another unique feature about bosu boards compared to stability balls is that you can incorporate more plyometric exercises, whether it’s plyometric pushups or burpees. Similar to how bosu balls are used as office chairs to assist with posture, bosu boards have become increasingly popular for those who use standing office desks. This is because when you have a standing office desk, you may tempted to lean forward on the desk, or be in some type of lazy posture, while the board forces you to stand correctly, thus enforcing that correct standing posture.

Bosu Balls and Bosu Boards Together

Incorporating either equipment in your exercise routine can help with make your stretches and workouts more effective, but using both doesn’t hurt either. If you’re someone who has a tough time balancing while squatting, needs a tougher ab workout, or just want to spice up their office space, try out a bosu ball or board, and you can monitor your progress the more you use it. Just be careful not to hurt yourself when practicing exercises with these tools, and if you’re buying one of these for your home, utilize the instruction manual to ensure that you inflate them properly.