EMAIL THREAD

Bosu

Good? Bad? Gimmick? What are your experiences with this exercise phenomenon?

Thu. Sep 7, 4:46pm

It's alot of fun. I'm always trying to come up with different exercises. My favoriites are:

-Put the BOSU flat side down. Lay on your back and put your arms and legs in the air, like a dead bug. It's a killer for your core
-Put the BOSU curved side down, hold on to the sides and do push ups
-Put the BOSU curved side down, stand on it and do squats

I don't know if I'd spend the $100 to have one at home but it's fun to use at the gym

Thursday, September 7, 2006, 5:10 PM

IT"S REALLY HARD FOR ME!!! I did it in an aerobics class one time and even though I am somewhat coordinated and somewhat in shape, it was too hard. I would much rather be on the step. I think it probably works great, though. try it out before you buy it.

Thursday, September 7, 2006, 5:47 PM

I love the bosu. Worked with a trainer at the gym for awhile and she raved about it.

Thursday, September 7, 2006, 6:41 PM

Not a gimmick

It forces you to engage your abs for every exercise - just standing and doing dumbbell work (biceps, triceps, shoulders) is suddenly more challenging. Then try doing squats with either one or both feet on the Bosu, or lunges, or using the Bosu like a step - wow. It even adds an extra kick to floor work - leg raises, ab work etc. Definitely not a gimmick.

Thursday, September 7, 2006, 7:51 PM

Bosu

i'm not the op, but thanks for the ideas! i bought one about 3 years ago and only used it a few times...time to get back on that baby!

Thursday, September 7, 2006, 9:51 PM

Another idea...

Try sitting cross-legged on it - flat side up. Once you get your balance try rocking front to back or side to side. Great ab work, and actually kind of fun (how often can you ay that about ab work!)

Friday, September 8, 2006, 7:02 AM

OP here - thanks for the feedback. I came across the Bosu at the gym and was curious what people thought.
I did read in some magazine (Fitness Rx?) that it won't help you balance better in other scenarios, since the skill you acquire is not transferable (i.e. learning to balance on the Bosu does not improve your balance on skis). But good to know that it's worthwhile in it's own right -- I plan to try another Bosu class next week.

Friday, September 8, 2006, 12:31 PM

I don't know about this non-tranferability thing...after 2 months of doing intensive core/balance/stability work, some of it on a Bosu, I went outside during a snowstorm and nearly took a header on the ice 4 times in about 50 yards. Not only did I not fall, but my lower back - which usually "freaks out" at the slightest hint that I might wipe out, landing me on the chiropractor's table - was unaffected. While I can't say I attribute that entirely to the Bosu, the Bosu was part of the training that kept my back in good shape when the ice tried to do nasty things to it.

Friday, September 8, 2006, 5:21 PM

Bosu

I am with the lot of fun part of the Bosu. I read the exercises remommended on Thursday and tried the "dead bug" yesterday. When using free weights try using either side of the bosu for the standing exercises. Definately will keep your core tight and stop you from doing an exercise when you are not in form. Balance is a wonderful thing and it is something that can be acquired, the Bosu takes it to a very new level.

Sunday, September 10, 2006, 7:00 AM

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