For Christmas all the kids got together and bought Chuck a BOSU (both sides up) balance ball. He has been using it every day as part of his knee rehab. But it is a great adjunct to any exercise routine. As we get older our core muscles get weaker and as a result our balance diminishes.
When we lived in Washington, we spent a lot of time paddle boarding on Lake Sammamish, which addressed the same two issues- balance and core strength. This is a good winter time substitute.
You can use the BOSU for all sorts of exercises. When Becca was here for Christmas she gave Chuck instructions for different ways he could use the ball. Chuck mainly uses it for lunges and planks. It is much harder to plank of the ball, than on a solid, hard surface (floor).
So far he is able to hold his plank 2 minutes, 30 seconds. I literally can only do it for 5 seconds. Chucks strength is greater than mine, but I do a little better in the balance department.
This balance work should improve both our winter skiing and our summer paddle boarding. We hope to continue an active lifestyle well into our dotage.
As Chuck reminds me constantly, he isn't aging- he is youthening!
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