This cross-training fitness invention has its origins in thefield of medicine, balance, functional and sports specifictraining. It offers a different means to make exercise moreappealing and effective for average people, fitness fanatics andhighly trained athletes.

So what do you do with it? You can walk, run, step, hop, jump andleap on the BOSU trainer. You can work it at an easy steadyrate-pace that can be maintained for long periods or push theintensity with anaerobic intervals. Or do some stretching on it. Active stretches use the muscles of the body to move a body partwhereas passive stretching uses gravity or an outside force toput stretch-tension on the target muscle(s). While standing orkneeling on the dome, you can move the upper body lower, higher,to the sides or by reaching for and picking up cards from variouslocations on the floor, or by touching and/or relocating conesthat have been placed in close proximity to the dome. It’s greatfor working your trunk too. Maintaining spinal alignment isimportant to low back health and sports performance.

Many sports teams use BOSU training too. Says Bennie Wylie,Assistant Strength Coach of the Dallas Cowboys "I implement theBOSU trainer during our off-season program for core strengthtraining and rehabilitation of ankle and knee problems. It is agreat piece of equipment and gives us an important extradimension to our overall fitness program. Almost all of theplayers use the BOSU trainer in some fashion on a regularbasis."

So the next time you overhear a conversation in the grocery storeor your friend tells you that she’s going to the 5:30 p.m. BOSUclass at the Y, you’ll know what they’re talking about. Betteryet, give it a try yourself!

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.