Balance

Balance is the ability to maintain a stable position for a certain period of time. We usually think of balance as a lower-body activity, but it is a coordinated effort of the body and mind. Our overall sense of balance comes from communication among the eyes, ears, and brain. The ears and eyes communicate changes of head position to the brain. Sports require balance because when you are participating in most sports, you are rarely standing still on two legs. Balance is equally integral to daily activities (with the exception of the time you spend sitting at your office desk, in your car, or on your couch).

Having balance in the muscles that surround your joints protects the joints and prevents injury. Strength training is an excellent way to improve your balance because your muscles have to provide balanced support for both your body and the weights you are using. Using free weights forces the muscles on either side of a joint to co-contract, providing balance for the musculature as well as the apparatus you are holding. You can incorporate even more balance work into your strength training by doing single-leg exercises, narrowing your base of support, or using devices like stability balls that challenge your balance. Closing your eyes during an exercise is also an excellent way to train your balance because the eyes give the body spatial clues.