Bosu ball merits

[Guest guest]

Hi Todd,

What are some merits to the bosu ball? Who should use it regularly? What is

the specific benefit of its use compared to being on solid ground? IMO the old

sit fits or dyna discs as they were called were plenty in terms of air filled

instability tools. We had balance boards, and that wasnt enough then airex pads

and it was still not enough, then the dyna discs and so on. Now we have bosu

balls, so whats next a bosu ball with a voodoo balance board attached to the

bottom. I have used dyna discs for advanced ankle rehab, if there is such a

thing sometimes i am not sure, but either way I have seen improvements for short

periods of adaptation, but for the last fifteen years of training many elite and

novice athletes and general population none of these tools have helped my

clients loose body fat, improve sport performance etc., only some minor advances

in ankle re-strengthening and proprioception. Just some ranting as I sit here

in a major health club and watch client after client get mislead to what is

basic or advanced methods in training, like someone said earlier, trainers are

having fun watching there clients struggle with usless exercises just to

entertain themselves.

Doug Fairbanks

ton, SC

To: Supertraining@...: regnalt@...: Tue, 18 Mar 2008

13:54:16 -0600Subject: Re: Bench Press and Push-ups

Hi Dan,I'm a functional fitness type of guy, but think it's very relative to

theindividual. Anyhow, I think there's a lot of merit to a BOSU ball, but

itshouldn't be a primary workout tool. There's nothing wrong with adding

someexcitement and " fun " to a workout. If someone likes using it are they

beingripped off? It's only if they've been sold a bunch lies with the BOSU

aswell. There's a lot of middle ground in between and thus, a lot of room

foropinions. Todd Langer, MSc, RolferBoulder, CO _____ From:

Supertraining [mailto:Supertraining ]On Behalf Of

Dan PartellySent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 11:07 AMTo:

Supertraining@...: Re: Bench Press and

Push-upsHi Todd,Yes I am aware of this. I seen some video on you tube. I don't

believe it was useful in any way to him. The rest of the hardwork was. You don't

get strong with bosu balls. You all here know toowell how you get strong. The

only good way to use a bosu ball is to break it open and fill itwith water so

you get a respectable old school tool. IMO they are just another gimmick used by

the " functional training " marketing machine designed to rip ppl by their hard

earned dollars.Dan PartellyOradea, Romania> >> > Well, I do include bench presses in my training - and

inclines and> dips, too. Bench presses and inclines done with barbells and>

dumbbells. That includes one arm incline presses on a high burst rated>

stability ball and alternating bench presses with dumbbells on a> bench. Since

my training goal is all around fitness I do a lot of> multiplanar movements, too

- all the stuff found in Abel's> metabolic enhancement training. Other

chest work is feet up on a bench> doing pushups between two stability balls and

flyes done between> gymnast rings, alternating pushups on a medicine ball.

shoulders> receive similar treatment. At nearly 64 my joints are healthy, so

I'm> happy!> > > > > > Ken ONeill> > kayoneill@> > Austin, Texas> >>

[Guest guest]

No merits and not necessary in my opinion.

Dan Partelly

Oradea, Romania

> >> > Well, I do include bench presses in

my training - and inclines and> dips, too. Bench presses and inclines

done with barbells and> dumbbells. That includes one arm incline

presses on a high burst rated> stability ball and alternating bench

presses with dumbbells on a> bench. Since my training goal is all

around fitness I do a lot of> multiplanar movements, too - all the

stuff found in Abel's> metabolic enhancement training. Other

chest work is feet up on a bench> doing pushups between two stability

balls and flyes done between> gymnast rings, alternating pushups on a

medicine ball. shoulders> receive similar treatment. At nearly 64 my

joints are healthy, so I'm> happy!> > > > > > Ken ONeill> >

kayoneill@> > Austin, Texas> >>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Todd,

One other question. How would it be good for plyometrics?

Doug

Doug Fairbanks, USA

College of ton

==============================

To: Supertraining@...: regnalt@...: Tue, 18 Mar 2008

15:53:00 -0600Subject: RE: Bosu ball merits

Hi Doug,Put on the proverbial seatbelt and prepare for takeoff! First a

disclaimer - I hold multiple patents for instability devices andcreated these

products due to my dissatisfaction with the current crop ofbalance boards. I'm

actually convinced Mel Siff would have loved myrendition of a balance board,

because they correct the very problem he hadwith them in the first place or in

other words they're designed to allow forankle, hip, and stepping strategies -

real function. Also, as you astutelynoted the ground allows for balance

training, however, it doesn't tell youIF you have postural inefficiencies. So,

quite often people simply reinforcemuscle imbalances on the ground or (heaven

forbid) a uni-planar machine! So, I'm not a huge fan of traditional balance

boards and air filledproducts, BUT see the world through an " everything is more

or lessefficient " type of lens. A traditional balance boards lack a fixed center

ofaxis, are momentum based, and constantly overshoots/undershoots thegeometric

center or in other words doesn't allow for expression of thefeedforward part of

the nervous system during self correction - you're atthe mercy of the boards and

this limits the transfer to the real world. Theair filled variety has more of a

" fixed center " but at the same time slowsdown reaction times or in other words

you move faster than the air insidethe disc. Plus, they closely resemble

standing in a row boat and there's areason " sea legs " got their name! I will say

the BOSU " feels " a littledifferent to me and seems to be more efficient than a

Dyna Disc. Plus, Iknow some of their Master trainers and education consultants

and they arereally trying to create workouts that utilize the product in a

more " functional " fashion.OK, that stated I think it's important to separate the

rehab, generalfitness, and sport specific needs. Please, remember these are my

opinionsand not necessarily scientific (don't ask for studies! Rehab:

Instability training can enhance proprioception and provide a varietyof ways to

restore total body coordination. It's truly up to theimagination. The BOSU can

be of great assistance in early stages.Eventually, the fact BOSU is air filled

will create diminishing returnsregarding functionality.General fitness: It's

deemed to be really fun for group exercise classes. Italso can be used to add

spice to the central nervous system. The problem perse is that people use it too

often as a way to increase the " core demand " ofexercises in lieu of choosing

total body movement that incorporate the corein a more functional manner.

Proponents argue that more stabilizer musclesactivate on the ball - true.

However, using the ball activates fewerstabilizers than with a more functional

total body exercise! It's a slipperyslope. It's also proven that more

instability equals less force output. So,it's not effective for rate of force

development, but it " might " increasecoordination for the movement and thus,

indirectly make you strong IFcombined with tradition renditions of the exercise.

Again, I've never seenthis proven in a study, but it's a definite possibility

and worthconsidering.Sport specific: Lastly, I think BOSU sport specific

application needs to bethought out very clearly by the trainer. It's valuable

for plyometricmovements.In total: BOSU balance training is fun for a lot of

people, gets manyinactive folks to actually exercise, and can be used to

stimulate the CNSand the downside is minimal IF part of a larger program. p.s.

I'm all for ranting and think it helps us all learn how to betterunderstand a

topic. And yes, it's unfortunate many trainers put clients onthe BOSU to be

trendy and have little or no understanding of why they'redoing it in the first

place!Todd Langer, MSc, RolferBoulder, CO _____ From:

Supertraining [mailto:Supertraining ]On Behalf Of

douglas fairbanksSent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:37 PMTo:

supertraining@...: Bosu ball meritsHi

Todd,What are some merits to the bosu ball? Who should use it regularly? What

isthe specific benefit of its use compared to being on solid ground? IMO theold

sit fits or dyna discs as they were called were plenty in terms of airfilled

instability tools. We had balance boards, and that wasnt enough thenairex pads

and it was still not enough, then the dyna discs and so on. Nowwe have bosu

balls, so whats next a bosu ball with a voodoo balance boardattached to the

bottom. I have used dyna discs for advanced ankle rehab, ifthere is such a thing

sometimes i am not sure, but either way I have seenimprovements for short

periods of adaptation, but for the last fifteen yearsof training many elite and

novice athletes and general population none ofthese tools have helped my clients

loose body fat, improve sport performanceetc., only some minor advances in ankle

re-strengthening and proprioception.Just some ranting as I sit here in a major

health club and watch clientafter client get mislead to what is basic or

advanced methods in training,like someone said earlier, trainers are having fun

watching there clientsstruggle with usless exercises just to entertain

themselves.=============================

[Guest guest]

Hey Todd,

We have discussed this before and I understand your view points, but

the biggest issues I have with instability devices is that people can

still reinforce muscle imbalances while using them or the ground. I

have yet to see one where this cannot be done (if you have or anyone

else has created one I would like to see it). If someone stands on

it and has a coach or trainer helping to addressing the form and

position issues, then yes they can help fix muscles imbalances. But

if the coach or trainer really knows what they are doing then they

will notice these issues and imbalances without these devices and

then use the appropriate techniques to fix them; besides if they have

these issues on a stable surface then doing a more advanced version

of the move, by putting them onto an unstable surface wouldn't be the

appropriate thing (they should first need to be able to stand correct

before they stand on a moving object). Lets say for example I have a

person who has suppressed arches or " flat feet " . Every person who

has ever dealt with anyone like this knows thay they these people are

going to have a difficult time balancing on anything. If I have them

try to balance on the ground they might somehow pull it off, but

usually, as you stated earlier, they will do so incorrectly and thus

reinforce their muscle imbalances. So what to do?? Should I put

them onto a Bosu ball or someother instability device?? I would say

no. What they need to do is be forced to put there body into the

proper position and then hold. They can't do this?? Let them start

by using a wall or something else to hold onto while they forced to

keep the arch up and hold position. They still can't do it??? Then

there muscles are either shut down or are extremely weak. So how do

you fix that?? I know some really good Applied Kinesiologists

(Chiropractors) who can help to get those muscles firing, and maybe a

good Rolfer could too (right Todd)!! If they still can't do it, then

if you have the pleasure of owning an ARP Trainer you use that to

re-educate/strengthen the muscles and get rid of the inflammation and

muscle tightness. If you don't have an ARP then you keep forcing

them to try and hold that position and find any other exercise where

you can somehow make those same muscles work properly, but not as

strenously, and eventually get the muscles to kick in and start to

function, or you find someone who does have an ARP. Obviously,

changing a few things with their shoes could also help; I know Dr.

Yessis and others would recommend Bare Foot science (that would

actually be a form of a less strenous exercise that helps to get

those muscles to work).

Now if I go back I can go through everything I just talked about no

matter which muscles (or movements) you are talking about and at no

time would using an unstable device be appropriate until I could get

them into the proper position when on stable ground. So when would I

or should I use the unstable surface??? When I am training an athlete

who can already keep great position or am training one who is

constantly on an unstable surface, such as a skate boarder or

surfer. But the thing is I can create instability without having to

buy a balance device by just doing things with one leg or one arm

(one leg squats, one arm overhead or bench barbell presses, etc...),

or by having them use unbalanced weights on either side of a barbell

and/or using differing weighted DBs or Kettlebells in either arm.

These moves really get the CNS and " stabilizer " muscles

working.

So what is good is the Bosu ball??? It is great for doing ab

crunches on because it allows for a nice full range of motion for the

abdominals and supports the low back. But I think I would rather

have a Glute-ham machine which can also do that and be used for a lot

more different and useful things.

Sorry Todd, I respect you and think you are a smart man but just don't know if

you can get me to be a true believer in the balance training stuff. I think a

good coach/trainer who knows what they are doing shouldn't really need it for

assessment.

Chad Scheitel, MA, CSCS

Minneapolis, MN

>

> Hi Doug,

>

> Put on the proverbial seatbelt and prepare for takeoff!

>

> First a disclaimer - I hold multiple patents for instability

devices and

> created these products due to my dissatisfaction with the current

crop of

> balance boards. I'm actually convinced Mel Siff would have loved my

> rendition of a balance board, because they correct the very problem

he had

> with them in the first place or in other words they're designed to

allow for

> ankle, hip, and stepping strategies - real function. Also, as you

astutely

> noted the ground allows for balance training, however, it doesn't

tell you

> IF you have postural inefficiencies. So, quite often people simply

reinforce

> muscle imbalances on the ground or (heaven forbid) a uni-planar

machine!

>

> So, I'm not a huge fan of traditional balance boards and air filled

> products, BUT see the world through an " everything is more or less

> efficient " type of lens. A traditional balance boards lack a fixed

center of

> axis, are momentum based, and constantly overshoots/undershoots the

> geometric center or in other words doesn't allow for expression of

the

> feedforward part of the nervous system during self correction -

you're at

> the mercy of the boards and this limits the transfer to the real

world. The

> air filled variety has more of a " fixed center " but at the same

time slows

> down reaction times or in other words you move faster than the air

inside

> the disc. Plus, they closely resemble standing in a row boat and

there's a

> reason " sea legs " got their name! I will say the BOSU " feels " a

little

> different to me and seems to be more efficient than a Dyna Disc.

Plus, I

> know some of their Master trainers and education consultants and

they are

> really trying to create workouts that utilize the product in a more

> " functional " fashion.

>

> OK, that stated I think it's important to separate the rehab,

general

> fitness, and sport specific needs. Please, remember these are my

opinions

> and not necessarily scientific (don't ask for studies!

>

> Rehab: Instability training can enhance proprioception and provide

a variety

> of ways to restore total body coordination. It's truly up to the

> imagination. The BOSU can be of great assistance in early stages.

> Eventually, the fact BOSU is air filled will create diminishing

returns

> regarding functionality.

>

> General fitness: It's deemed to be really fun for group exercise

classes. It

> also can be used to add spice to the central nervous system. The

problem per

> se is that people use it too often as a way to increase the " core

demand " of

> exercises in lieu of choosing total body movement that incorporate

the core

> in a more functional manner. Proponents argue that more stabilizer

muscles

> activate on the ball - true. However, using the ball activates fewer

> stabilizers than with a more functional total body exercise! It's a

slippery

> slope. It's also proven that more instability equals less force

output. So,

> it's not effective for rate of force development, but it " might "

increase

> coordination for the movement and thus, indirectly make you strong

IF

> combined with tradition renditions of the exercise. Again, I've

never seen

> this proven in a study, but it's a definite possibility and worth

> considering.

>

> Sport specific: Lastly, I think BOSU sport specific application

needs to be

> thought out very clearly by the trainer. It's valuable for

plyometric

> movements.

>

> In total: BOSU balance training is fun for a lot of people, gets

many

> inactive folks to actually exercise, and can be used to stimulate

the CNS

> and the downside is minimal IF part of a larger program.

>

> p.s. I'm all for ranting and think it helps us all learn how to

better

> understand a topic. And yes, it's unfortunate many trainers put

clients on

> the BOSU to be trendy and have little or no understanding of why

they're

> doing it in the first place!

>

> Todd Langer, MSc, Rolfer

> Boulder, CO

>

>

> _____

>

> From: Supertraining

[mailto:Supertraining ]

> On Behalf Of douglas fairbanks

> Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:37 PM

> To: supertraining

> Subject: Bosu ball merits

>

>

>

> Hi Todd,

>

> What are some merits to the bosu ball? Who should use it regularly?

What is

> the specific benefit of its use compared to being on solid ground?

IMO the

> old sit fits or dyna discs as they were called were plenty in terms

of air

> filled instability tools. We had balance boards, and that wasnt

enough then

> airex pads and it was still not enough, then the dyna discs and so

on. Now

> we have bosu balls, so whats next a bosu ball with a voodoo balance

board

> attached to the bottom. I have used dyna discs for advanced ankle

rehab, if

> there is such a thing sometimes i am not sure, but either way I

have seen

> improvements for short periods of adaptation, but for the last

fifteen years

> of training many elite and novice athletes and general population

none of

> these tools have helped my clients loose body fat, improve sport

performance

> etc., only some minor advances in ankle re-strengthening and

proprioception.

> Just some ranting as I sit here in a major health club and watch

client

> after client get mislead to what is basic or advanced methods in

training,

> like someone said earlier, trainers are having fun watching there

clients

> struggle with usless exercises just to entertain themselves.

>

> =============================

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Chad,

I totally agree. IMO the real factor is force, the athlete must have dynamic

balance while absorbing and applying some level of force, so staying on stable

ground and using weights, as in your example of single arm weighted lunges or

limb movements with a specific speed and in specific directions is more specific

than bosu stuff. Off course any training that allows for stepping adjustments

would be easier to integrate using the above strategy.

Doug Fairbanks

ton, SC

To: Supertraining

From: chadscheitel@...

Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:45:17 +0000

Subject: Re: Bosu ball merits

Hey Todd,

We have discussed this before and I understand your view points, but

the biggest issues I have with instability devices is that people can

still reinforce muscle imbalances while using them or the ground. I

have yet to see one where this cannot be done (if you have or anyone

else has created one I would like to see it). If someone stands on

it and has a coach or trainer helping to addressing the form and

position issues, then yes they can help fix muscles imbalances. But

if the coach or trainer really knows what they are doing then they

will notice these issues and imbalances without these devices and

then use the appropriate techniques to fix them; besides if they have

these issues on a stable surface then doing a more advanced version

of the move, by putting them onto an unstable surface wouldn't be the

appropriate thing (they should first need to be able to stand correct

before they stand on a moving object). Lets say for example I have a

person who has suppressed arches or " flat feet " . Every person who

has ever dealt with anyone like this knows thay they these people are

going to have a difficult time balancing on anything. If I have them

try to balance on the ground they might somehow pull it off, but

usually, as you stated earlier, they will do so incorrectly and thus

reinforce their muscle imbalances. So what to do?? Should I put

them onto a Bosu ball or someother instability device?? I would say

no. What they need to do is be forced to put there body into the

proper position and then hold. They can't do this?? Let them start

by using a wall or something else to hold onto while they forced to

keep the arch up and hold position. They still can't do it??? Then

there muscles are either shut down or are extremely weak. So how do

you fix that?? I know some really good Applied Kinesiologists

(Chiropractors) who can help to get those muscles firing, and maybe a

good Rolfer could too (right Todd)!! If they still can't do it, then

if you have the pleasure of owning an ARP Trainer you use that to

re-educate/strengthen the muscles and get rid of the inflammation and

muscle tightness. If you don't have an ARP then you keep forcing

them to try and hold that position and find any other exercise where

you can somehow make those same muscles work properly, but not as

strenously, and eventually get the muscles to kick in and start to

function, or you find someone who does have an ARP. Obviously,

changing a few things with their shoes could also help; I know Dr.

Yessis and others would recommend Bare Foot science (that would

actually be a form of a less strenous exercise that helps to get

those muscles to work).

Now if I go back I can go through everything I just talked about no

matter which muscles (or movements) you are talking about and at no

time would using an unstable device be appropriate until I could get

them into the proper position when on stable ground. So when would I

or should I use the unstable surface??? When I am training an athlete

who can already keep great position or am training one who is

constantly on an unstable surface, such as a skate boarder or

surfer. But the thing is I can create instability without having to

buy a balance device by just doing things with one leg or one arm

(one leg squats, one arm overhead or bench barbell presses, etc...),

or by having them use unbalanced weights on either side of a barbell

and/or using differing weighted DBs or Kettlebells in either arm.

These moves really get the CNS and " stabilizer " muscles

working.

So what is good is the Bosu ball??? It is great for doing ab

crunches on because it allows for a nice full range of motion for the

abdominals and supports the low back. But I think I would rather

have a Glute-ham machine which can also do that and be used for a lot

more different and useful things.

Sorry Todd, I respect you and think you are a smart man but just don't know if

you can get me to be a true believer in the balance training stuff. I think a

good coach/trainer who knows what they are doing shouldn't really need it for

assessment.

===============================

[Guest guest]

Todd,

Do I understand that you are the creator of the BOSU ball?

Can you send me the website?

Ramsey

Jo's Gym

sherman oaks, ca

RE: Bosu ball merits

Doug,

Watch Olympic Skiers use the BOSU. They'll line up 10 on each side and get

after it. I'm sure someone will comment that the stretch reflex happens in

like .20 of a second and the rest is connective tissue, but it doesn't

diminish what they're doing, imo.

Todd Langer, MSc, Rolfer

Boulder, CO

=============================

[Guest guest]

Lets say for example I have a

> person who has suppressed arches or " flat feet " . Every person who

> has ever dealt with anyone like this knows thay they these people

are

> going to have a difficult time balancing on anything. If I have

them

> try to balance on the ground they might somehow pull it off, but

> usually, as you stated earlier, they will do so incorrectly and thus

> reinforce their muscle imbalances. So what to do?? Should I put

> them onto a Bosu ball or someother instability device?? I would say

> no. What they need to do is be forced to put there body into the

> proper position and then hold. They can't do this?? Let them start

> by using a wall or something else to hold onto while they forced to

> keep the arch up and hold position. They still can't do it??? Then

> there muscles are either shut down or are extremely weak. So how do

> you fix that?? I know some really good Applied Kinesiologists

> (Chiropractors) who can help to get those muscles firing, and maybe

a

> good Rolfer could too (right Todd)!! If they still can't do it,

then

> if you have the pleasure of owning an ARP Trainer you use that to

> re-educate/strengthen the muscles and get rid of the inflammation

and

> muscle tightness. If you don't have an ARP then you keep forcing

> them to try and hold that position and find any other exercise where

> you can somehow make those same muscles work properly, but not as

> strenously, and eventually get the muscles to kick in and start to

> function, or you find someone who does have an ARP.

***

Some years ago I remember Mel and Dan Wathen commenting on the

efficacy of electrical stimulation (Faradic or interferential) when dealing with

" flat feet " . Charlie Francis also writes about the

latter " treatment " in his book CFTS.

Hope that helps

Carruthers

Wakefield, UK

[Guest guest]

Just for the purpose of thought provocation.

Running on sand with or without footware is akin to this discussion as

well as running on railroad ties wearing combat boots. These activities do

not generate profit so, perhaps,this is why they've been dismissed or

overlooked?

Carson Wood.

Westbrook, ME USA.

Re: Bosu ball merits

> Hi Chad,

>

> Remember, I'm not a big proponent of wobble boards and air filled devices,

> because they don't allow for full expression of the feedforward nervous

> system. Insomuch that the user can't self correct, and is at the mercy of

> the device, it will only allow for the feedback system to function in a

> truly natural manner.

>

> To make my response easier to follow I'll number each point. Please, read

> what I'm writing with an open mind and you'll be very pleasantly

> surprised.

> Seriously, I don't have the energy to wrestle with anymore quicksand.

> LOL!

>

> 1. People can reinforce poor postural habits on a balance board OR the

> ground, little difference. In regard to outside assistance the ABSOLUTE

> KEY

> to overcoming this inherent problem is a fixed center of axis underfoot

> and

> reduced base of support, because it allows for feedback-feedforward loop

> AND

> you can't easily " cheat " to stay centered on the boards. Take time to

> think

> about the concept and you'll see why even Mel Siff wrote essays about the

> potential benefit of such a product. Read that twice!

>

> 2. The human body is chaotic and has fits of mobility within stability.

> It's often called postural sway. A regular balance board keeps people

> trying

> to " catch their balance " by overshooting center and BOSU is only slightly

> better; so, they don't allow for postural sway to occur. However, a fixed

> center of axis allows for this very important " human " mechanism AND

> encourages control over its confines (if there is a board for both feet).

> It's truly invaluable and full of possibilities IF you are willing to look

> beyond conventional (lack of) wisdom.

>

> 3. Contrary to your comment, I believe people with " flat feet " will

> have better balance due to more of their foot contacting the ground. I've

> seen this over and over with people and it makes sense to me. When you are

> standing your foot naturally flattens to distribute ground reactive

> forces,

> load, and momentum. So, having " flat feet' won't affect balance in a

> negative way, but it will dampen the ability to create force needed for

> movement from the " balance " position. Sure, someone with this condition

> might have feet that " tire out " but they'll have better balance than

> someone

> with arched feet who have only the lateral surface of their feet

> contacting

> the ground/board.

>

> 4. Bare foot training assists the intrinsic muscles of the foot, but

> it's a small piece of a larger puzzle. The truth is almost all feet

> problems

> heavily involve the hips. Again, the Powers That Be overlook this highly

> relative and important fact, because it means the problem isn't cut and

> dry.

> Besides, bare foot exercise isn't gentler or requiring of less loading and

> in fact, it can be logically argued the opposite is true due to no

> dampening

> from a sneaker. It's a method that needs to be gradually developed or the

> initial problem will be worsened.

>

> 5. It's really unfortunate, but a lot of " legends of

> fitness/health/athletics " are highly dogmatic and always resort to the

> same

> fallacies to validate their opinions. The world of health and fitness is

> wide open and not a closed book.

>

> 6. I would probably take a Swiss ball over the glute-ham machine. It's

> more maneuverable. Less costly. Allows for hundreds of exercises IF the

> trainer has a good background in human anatomy and physiology. Again, even

> Mel Siff mentioned the same thing I'm writing and he often lamented that

> people were using balls the wrong way. It's worth another post all by

> itself, but time is short and my " to do " list is long.

>

> 7. Your choice should also depend on what you are training. What's the

> goal? For instance, if you're rehabbing someone the glute-ham machine

> will

> quite possibly create too much load on the lumbar spine. Also, it can be

> logically argued your feet aren't on the ground and thus, the exercise is

> less integrative. It's all relative, right.

>

> 8. Lastly, don't overlook having fun. If something makes people happy,

> and doesn't cause problems, let them have at it. Personally, I'm growing

> very weary of people on both sides of the fence making far reaching

> statements and overlooking that people need to be motivated. Placebo is

> powerful too!

>

> Thanks!

> Todd Langer, MSc, Rolfer

> Boulder, CO

>

> ==============================================

[Guest guest]

Todd,

I would like to assume the skiers know that they are not getting much plyometric

benefit when landing on the ball, but maybe there is another benefit that I am

missing? For instance jumping up and down continuously on the bosu and staying

in there crouch position (quasi isometric) may help to simulate the hip flexion

action of moguls, but this even seems like a stretch. If they are going from

one ball to another laterally bounding wouldn't they want to use a lateral slant

boards? It just seems like good and great athletes can do a lot of useless

stuff and if they don't get hurt and they still perform there sport regularly

they can still have success, it ends up being some cross training that's all, no

real sport improvements.

P.S. Anyone out there have any job opportunities at there training centers or

any other facilities that train committed athletes.

Doug Fairbanks

ton, SC

To: Supertraining

From: regnalt@...

Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:52:39 -0600

Subject: RE: Bosu ball merits

Doug,

Watch Olympic Skiers use the BOSU. They'll line up 10 on each side and get

after it. I'm sure someone will comment that the stretch reflex happens in

like .20 of a second and the rest is connective tissue, but it doesn't

diminish what they're doing, imo.

Todd Langer, MSc, Rolfer

Boulder, CO

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