These days, balance trainers come in all shapes and sizes and can be used in both athletic training and rehabilitation settings. The boards can be used to perform a variety of fun exercises, most of which serve to strengthen core muscle groups. Their versatility, however, makes them excellent devices for developing strength, coordination, and agility as well. Patients can even use these trainers at home to regain muscle strength and refine athletic skills.

You can use balance boards to rehabilitate a patient's injured ankles and knees. Patients can stand on one leg, gradually retraining weakened muscle tissue and nervous receptors while simultaneously promoting improved proprioception. Therapy tasks can be adjusted as needed to provide optimal challenge at all stages of recovery.

Balance Board Training

Extreme athletes are also known to use balance boards as part of their training regimens. Snowboarders and surfers routinely practice balance exercises on their trainers, using the devices in an attempt to get an edge on the competition. With a little creativity, there's no limit to what you can do on these simple yet dynamic boards. In fact, there are a number of websites devoted specifically to the subject of trainer exercises, and they provide a number of unique exercise ideas.

Balance trainers also help give patients better posture. After working with balance trainers, the muscles of the abdomen and spine area are in better condition, and can help hold the body up properly. These muscles have better tone, and most patients notice immediate benefits. The inner ear area is also stimulated by work with balance trainers, leading to better overall balance. These exercises are useful for patients who suffered debilitating injuries due to a fall.