The BOSU ball is an interesting piece of gym equipment. It looks like a gym ball cut in half with a solid platform. The name actually comes from the acronym “BOth Sides Up” due to the two sides of use.
The BOSU ball can find use for a lot of the same exercises as the gym ball. But also some unique ones of it’s own. The ball adds instability to your exercises, to improve your core stability and other stabilizer muscles.
BOSU Ball exercises
Just some of the exercises you can enhance with this equipment includes:
- squats – doing body weight squats on the BOSU is extremely difficult in the beginning as your muscles and nervous system develop but after a few session you will have the balance of mountain goat!
- push up – take your push ups to the next level by adding some instability. Above all, your core will get a killer workout adding the BOSU to your push ups. You can choose whether to put your feet or hands on the ball, whichever is more comfortable. If you really want a challenge use a BOSU beneath both your hands and feet.
- planks – using the BOSU to increase the difficulty of your planks is great idea. Your core stability will tested when doing planks on the ball and you should see improves not long after practicing.
- side planks – these are definitely taken to the next level compared to the standard version. For an extra challenge try raising and lowering your upper leg.
There are a number of different brands that offer BOSU balls so there is some competition for the product. However we have still found some that meet our criteria of being great, durable products for under $50. You can find a great option here, indeed at a fantastic price for all fitness enthusiasts.