Weight training with an electronic scale

Weight training is a great way to burn calories and improve muscle tone for health or competition. But doesn't it get boring after a while? The same reps with the same weights or on the same machines looking at the same walls in the same environment. What if you could add a new dimension to your strength training? You can – by adding a balance card to the mix.

Using a balance board increases the intensity by adding extra challenge to your core and various muscle groups. Weight training with an electronic balance board can help improve coordination while improving your calorie burning routines and enhancing your overall workout. Interested?

Get started with balance board exercises

Basic training exercises for the balance board can already strengthen your core muscles if you improve coordination and control. The balance exercises challenge rarely used muscle groups in different areas and add a new element to your training routines. A balance board can be used with arms, legs, back, core, and various muscle combinations.

An electronic balance board system offers even more advantages for your training. Many offer apps for recording and retrieving data for your smartphone that you can use to track progress and compare it to previous workouts. Some also offer different games and workouts that offer challenges for a variety of fitness levels.

What a balance board can do for you

If you think using a balance board in your fitness routine is for amateurs, think again! Balance is critical to your overall health and functioning, let alone your performance. Take another look at how you can benefit from a balance board.

Prevent injuries

Improving your natural balance and increasing your strength can help prevent injury. As your body becomes fit and flexible, you can cope better with everyday tasks. Your core back and leg muscles are important in maintaining your balance as you sit, stand, bend, reach, and even walk.

Think how debilitating a simple sprained ankle can be when performing everyday tasks like showering, getting the mail out, or preparing a meal over a stove. As you increase your functional strength and balance, you can prevent falls, muscle strains, or tense tendons and remain fully functional and independent.

Promote rehabilitation

Balance training is always a critical aspect of rehabilitation after an injury. We use many of our limbs and joints to achieve and maintain balance for the simplest of tasks. Therapists and other specialists routinely incorporate static and dynamic balance training into rehabilitation programs for all ages.

Improve posture

Bad posture is more than an irritating trait your grandparents reprimanded you for during your teenage years. It contributes to serious muscle weaknesses and imbalances, obesity and decreased range of motion, which increases the risk of injury. And you just thought your grandmother was moody!

Using a balance board is a great way to increase the muscle strength required for healthy posture. Stretch and exercise tense muscles while getting healthier at the same time. Oh, and make your grandmother proud!

Reduce back pain

Using a balance board will greatly improve your core strength and is one of the main components in reducing back pain. A strong core helps keep the body in the correct upright position when sitting or standing, and helps keep the spine in alignment. Your back muscles work less when your abs are doing their part to hold the load.

Adding a balance board to increase your strength training

A balance board primarily helps you with general balance and coordination. Adding a balance board to your strength training is an amazing way to enhance almost every single strength training benefit. Certain board exercises are great for helping with strength training and adding a new level of challenge to your workout.

If you are new to using a weighted balance board, start slowly. There is a risk of injury if you lose your balance with weights. Start with simple routines where adding weights is little or no risk until you feel strong, balanced, and confident enough to try other, more challenging routines. Your trainer is likely to have several helpful suggestions.

Example exercises with the balance board

When you're ready to add to your strength training with a balance board, there are some simple but excellent exercises that are a good place to start. Here are a few favorites.

Squats

Squats with weights on the balance board can be quite a challenge at first, but it's an excellent way to tone your legs and improve weight loss, says nivamd.com. At first your legs will tremble and the board will wobble. Don't fret, this is how everyone starts until the right muscles get the strength they need to maintain balance. Walk slowly and make an effort to stay balanced before you start standing and squatting. Over time, you will gain a better balance and be able to exercise with more confidence.

Balance on one leg

This exercise is for advanced users. The balance board must remain level and calm to prevent losing balance and falling. Stand on one leg and repeat your squats. Then switch to the other leg.

Rotate

In this exercise, the user kneels on the balance board and turns the board back and forth with their abdominal muscles. Do this exercise clockwise 20 times and then counterclockwise 20 times. Add hand weights for a bigger challenge. Remember to walk slowly to keep your balance.

Conclusion

Strength training with an electronic balance board adds a whole new dimension to your training routines. The addition of balance training and the added level of challenge to strength training can be exactly the improvement you need for improved performance, rehabilitation, and injury prevention.

This article is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting any new exercise routine.

* collaborative contribution