Fundamentals of the BOSU Balance Trainer

At the end of last season, the Newcastle Knights performance staff set about reviewing our injury prevention strategies. We identified the need to develop better `functional' stability interventions and we came across ViPR. We designed a Functional Core routine utilising the ViPR. This simple piece of equipment enabled us to challenge our athletes in a multi-plane, football specific environment for the first time! This was well received by our athletes and has resulted in a significant decrease in injuries during the Pre-season. We have continued to 'play' with the ViPR's, and have integrated them into our programs, from power training to flexibility. We have developed performance tests and rehabilitation protocols around the ViPR. We have used the ViPR's on the field, in the gym and even in the pool. I would have no hesitation in recommending the ViPR to anyone who is serious about challenging their existing approaches to functional" training.

Thanks to QPEC and Ian O'Dwyer for a great SMR Foam Roller Functional Application workshop and games workshop. Picked up some new information and ideas that can be used immediately in our business". Ian as always was awesome!

Professional sports teams use the BOSUtBalance Trainer to train their athletes for competition. The BOSU® Balance Trainer is an invaluable tool for U.S. Ski and Snowboard team members at all levels. Its a key tool for the United States Ski and Snowboard Department of Sport Science and Conditioning. The versatility and application of the BOSU® Balance Trainer is so great our teams travel with them year round.

We have introduced ViPR into our circuit for our golfers and have been using it for 10 weeks twice a week. The students range from year 8 to year 10 and we have one Female in the program. To date each student has improved their performance and measured drive by between 10 and 20 metres and we can only attribute this to the use of the ViPRs. We have also been working with our local Golf Pro and he is amazed at the potential difference that the ViPR can make to the core quads and upper body. Our track and field coach now also wants to incorporate the ViPR into his training due to its functional applications. VIPR continues to impress me and my students as it has become part of our training.

Researchers in the Department of Exercise & Nutritional Sciences at San Diego State University conducted a pilot study to determine the efficacy of the BOSU® Balance Trainer for improving muscular strength and balance in adults of various ages. Field measurements of static and dynamic balance, as well as abdominal strength, showed improvements ranging up to 31% after just a four-week program. A randomised, and larger controlled study is now underway to provide even more clinically meaningful information regarding the potential benefit of the BOSU® Balance Trainer for strengthening the core musculature and improving balance.

Innovative and challenging, the BOSU® Balance Trainer takes proprioceptive training to a new level.

The Australian Institute of Sports' Strength and Conditioning Coaches find the BOSU® Balance Trainer to be of great value in improving the core stability and proprioceptive awareness of its Olympic athletes over a wide range of sports encompassing such activities as swimming, soccer, volleyball and individual track & field events. The ability of many of our athletes to mimic the movements of their sport makes the BOSU® Balance Trainer an indispensable piece of equipment here at the Australian Institute of Sport.

The Twist Certifications run by Perform Better Australia have definitely changed the way I approach strength training for my athletes. The exercises and the science behind the program has given me the opportunity to further develop a unique individual strength program to cater for all my athletes as individuals. I would recommend the Twist courses to anyone who is interested in future of strength training and to any trainers who are looking to develop a good athletic base for their new clients or to extend their most experienced gym junkies.