Improve your posture, balance, and more with a balance board

If you’re looking to improve your posture, core muscles, motor coordination skills, or balance, you may want to consider trying a balance board. This device acts like a see-saw—you place one foot on either side of the board. The goal is to keep your balance so the board’s edges don’t touch the ground and you don’t fall off.

Balance boards were originally designed for skiers and surfers to practice their skills during the off season. Other types of athletes use them to improve their performance as well.

There are different types of balance boards. One type, the rocker-roller board, lies on a cylindrical roller that acts as a wheel that turns. The board will pivot from side to side as you try to maintain your balance.

Doing specific exercises on a rocker-roller board will help you to strengthen your core muscles as well as stabilize your spine. Using this device can also give you better posture.

The hamstring stretch, for instance, requires you to sit on the roller and use your feet to move your body back and forth. You will need to constantly respond to the motion in order to stay stable. In another exercise, you lie face up on the roller while it supports your lower back and massages areas that are weakened or damaged.

As we age, balance skills tend to decline. But using a rocker-roller board can help to maintain this art. After all, balance is important for almost every type of athletic activity, including sports such as baseball, bowling, and golf. Many athletic trainers emphasize the importance of perfecting balancing skills.

You may feel uneasy while trying to get the hang of a balance board initially, but most people in decent health can learn to keep their balance for up to five minutes.

After your workout, you should feel calm and relaxed.

Karen Appold is a medical writer in Lehigh Valley, PA.