Bosu is essentially a piece of equipment used for balance training and is an acronym for "Both Sides Utilized" or "Both Sides Up". The Bosu ball is a made up of an air filled dome on one side, and a flat rubber platform on the other and can be flipped to use on either side for training. The focus is on core training, with balance being an important part of that. The idea is that when you lift one of your legs, your centre of gravity changes and core muscles need to work harder to keep you in balance. This product offers a wide range of ways to exercise and claims that users will be able to see improvements in balance, co-ordination and an overall increase in sports performance. Bosu also caters for the beginner as well as the highly trained and fit athlete.
Bosu was invented by David Weck in 1999 and the workout equipment, and exercise routines, has gained massive popularity since then. The basics of Bosu balance training comes from the structure and functions of the human body, and consists of balance between the left and right sides of the body, as well as up and down movements. Not only is this a great way to lose weight and get in shape, Bosu is also a great tool to use for rehabilitation from injury. A good example of this is recovering from an ankle injury as it will help to train your muscles to tighten once the ankle starts to move again. This training could also assist in making the injured areas recover stronger and make it more difficult to suffer the same injury again.
Exercises on the Bosu ball include pushups, stepping and dumbbell training, and can help with stretching, cardio endurance and proprioception (the medical term for the awareness of where you are in space). Improving your proprioception is also beneficial for when you get older as your co-ordination and balance will be improved, making it less likely for you to fall and be injured. McSport offers a wide range of Bosu systems, products and training guides that will have you reaching the top of your game in no time.