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I know I’m mostly seen as a wonderful person (argue it, I dare you), but every once in awhile I’ve got this other side who sometimes likes to peek out… Annoying Stef. Annoying Stef is usually pretty dormant, but whenever I see the need to educate someone about something relevant to my passion, which is anything health and fitness, Annoying Stef bubbles up.

A good example right here. If someone mentions the 5 senses, might even be in passing, or some joke, or a random campfire conversation, I can’t help myself, I’ve got to open my big mouth and correct them. Because there’s a 6^th sense too. And I’m not talking the paranormal I-See-Dead-People kind (though admittedly that would be pretty cool). I’m talking about the I-Know-Where-My-Arm-Is kind. Otherwise known by its nerd name as Proprioception.

Okay Stef, We’ll Humor You, What Is Proprioception:

Proprioception is our ability to sense where our body is in space. In a nutshell, it’s our “sense of self.” A quick example: Imagine it’s pitch black in the RV and you need the bathroom. Would you be able to walk to it? As long as nothing is in your way, you’ll likely get there perfectly fine. You can thank your proprioception for that. It’s what’s helping you put one foot in front of the other even when you can’t see a thing.

Proprioception plays a huge role in our daily lives and we likely don’t realize it. It’s mostly at a subconscious level, although we can definitely draw our attention to it when we choose. It’s very much intertwined with our ability to balance. When proprioception isn’t working properly, we’ll see things like clumsiness, falls, bumping into objects, close-talking, and all sorts of movement inefficiencies. And as it goes with our very mortal and vulnerable human bodies, if we don’t use our proprioception skills enough we lose them.

All of that was my long-winded way of saying THAT’S why it’s so important to make sure we’re doing exercises that target balance. Because through balance training we also increase our proprioception… a skill that’s alarmingly underappreciated. In fact I’d argue that having strong balance is more important than strong muscles for daily living, and yet we fitness enthusiasts lift heavy things all the live long day without ever giving any balance exercises even the tiniest nubbin of thought.

But no more. Let’s put balance exercises back on our fitness radars. Starting with these:

In the video, I demonstrate each of the 6 balance exercises and I show variations depending on your fitness level. So you advanced fitness junkies, I’ve got you covered, and you fabulous beginners and seniors, I’ve got your backs too.

And also, I’ve turned it into a printable workout plan so you can take it with you on the road without having to come back here to the website.

See! Told ya I was mostly wonderful:

Click the pic below for full-size printable version!

I made sure to choose exercises that will not only challenge your balance and build your proprioception, but also will strengthen your muscles and improve your stability. More bang for your buck that way.

I’m also listing the exercises here down below in case the printable isn’t your style. I’d love hearing your comments especially if you try these exercises! Would also be interested to hear how your balance is holding up! Scroll down to leave comments below.

As always, I’m rooting for you, friends! Hope I see you on the road.

xoxo,

Stef

EXERCISE 1: Walking Lunge Robots

Stand with your feet together and good posture. Lunge forward on your left foot while simultaneously rotating your trunk to the left. Place all your weight on your left foot and raise your right foot in a single leg balance hold for 1-3 seconds. In the video, I held the lifted leg forward, but I’d prefer if you hold it with a slightly bent knee and shoe at about mid-calf height… as you would a typical single leg balance if someone told you to stand on one foot. Next, repeat the movement on other side by lunging forward on your right foot while rotating your trunk to the right. All your weight shifts to the right foot and raise your left foot to hold a single leg balance for 1-3 seconds. That entire sequence was one rep.

BEGINNERS AND SENIORS:  Take out the balance hold. Instead, you’ll simply lungewalk forward (with the trunk rotation) on your left foot and then your right without any stops in between lunge steps. And make sure you’re doing this along a wall or rail for safety!

EXERCISE 2: Arabesque Windmills

Stand on your left foot, with your left knee slightly bent. Reach your torso forward as you lengthen and lift your right leg behind you. Reach your arms out to your sides and hold for a moment. Once you are stable, slowly rotate your right arm forward while your left arm goes back, and then rotate the other way. This is one rep. You absolutely do not need to touch the ground as I’m demonstrating in the pic. You can simply pike forward from your hips as much as feels right for your level, and then do the rotations from that point (see the video for intermediate demonstration). Do 5 very slow reps and then switch to other leg.

BEGINNERS AND SENIORS:  Keep your back leg’s toes on ground and keep your torso upward as you rotate your arms (see video). And please make sure your back is not rounded! The lean-forward motion that the advanced exercisers do comes from the hips and not the back. This takes practice and experience to learn, so to be safe keep yourself more upright and don’t attempt to bend forward past your ability level as you attempt this move.

EXERCISE 3: Split Squat with Front Leg Raise

Stand with good posture in a split stance—one foot forward and the other back. Back foot’s heel should be raised, and ensure your weight is evenly distributed between the front foot and the ball of the back foot. Lower self a couple inches down to perform a split squat. To do this, your hips drive straight downward and your chest stays directly above your hips, no leaning forward. As you raise back up from the split squat, simultaneously raise the front leg off the ground, shifting all your weight to the back foot (heel goes down for this). Hold your front leg raised like that for 3 seconds, that’s one rep. Do that 5 times and then switch sides.

BEGINNERS AND SENIORS: For the balance hold portion, instead of holding leg up, you’ll place the toe of  your front leg down while keeping all your weight on the back leg. As for the split squat portion, only lower yourself just a couple inches, don’t go too deep into it… and do be mindful of your posture. Your torso should be upright with a straight spine as you lower into the split squat.

EXERCISE 4: Grapevines

Stand erect with your knees slightly bent. Staying on the balls of your feet, do a quick step to the side with your left foot, and then quickly step your right foot behind your left. Another quick step to your left again with your left foot, and then bring your right foot in front of your left. Continue this pattern. Eventually switch and go the other direction. Continue practicing grapevines for 1 minute. Work on building your speed as your skills improve over time.

BEGINNERS AND SENIORS:  You’ll do the exact same foot pattern, however, you’ll take your steps down to a slow walk. Make sure you’re upright with good posture and not looking at your feet. Use your peripheral vision and your proprioception to continue your sideways steps safely. I highly recommend doing these along a rail or wall for seniors.

EXERCISE 5:  Tabletop Reaches

Advanced, you’ll start in a hand plank with your feet spread a little wider than shoulders, and your hands slightly wide too. Make sure your neck is aligned in a neutral position. While looking at the floor, raise and fully extend your right arm and your left leg out at the same time. Keeping your core tight, very  slowly drive your right elbow and left knee together. Repeat 10 times then switch to the other side. Note, this is a very challenging move and really is designed for advanced exercisers only! Intermediates, you should modify this to take out the elbow/knee crunch. So, you’ll extend your arm/leg as explained and then instead of driving elbow/knee together, you’ll set them back down so you’re back to traditional plank position.

BEGINNERS AND SENIORS: Start on your hands and knees on a soft padded surface, with your hands directly under your shoulders and your knees hip width apart. Raise and fully extend your right arm and your left leg to about parallel with the floor, and then drive your right elbow and left knee together (if you feel your back beginning to round you’ve driven them together far enough), then extend back out again. Continue moving between curling and extending, making sure to keep your core muscles tight and under control throughout the move. Repeat 10 times and then switch to other side.

EXERCISE 6: V Hold

Begin seated. Extend your legs out & lean back so that body is in an opened up V position. DO NOT allow your back & shoulders to round!  Hold as long as you can. Continue practicing this pose for 1 minute. There are multiple options for this pose: hands behind head with legs straight is the most challenging. You can also extend your arms straight forward with straight legs as I’m doing in the pic. To make it a little easier you can bend your knees (but still keep your back straight).

BEGINNERS AND SENIORS: Begin seated on a padded surface. Grab either your knees or thighs with your hands. Slightly lift your feet off the ground, leaning carefully back to counterbalance the move. Once in position, work to straighten your spine and ensure your neck is neutral and aligned as well.

AND THAT’S IT! Now go do ’em and come back and tell me how it went! xoxo