These stability moves will sculpt and tone your entire body
Balancing Act
Whether you're trying to nail a headstand in yoga class, haul groceries up a staircase, or master your stiletto strut, your balance is put to the test daily. Balance training helps you stay sure-footed so you don't wobble, or worse, wipe out.
But the benefits go far beyond just preventing an embarrassing spill. Stability exercises improve your posture, strengthen your core, and help you achieve a toned head-to-toe physique, says Nick Anthony, performance specialist at Core Performance in Phoenix, who designed this routine.
"These moves work multiple joints through multiple planes of motion," says Anthony. It's a change-up from standard strength exercises that tend to work one muscle in a single movement pattern. The result? You get more out of each move, which helps you sculpt lean, strong, balanced muscles. And since your core is constantly engaged throughout each exercise, you'll get a killer ab workout to boot!
Do three to five reps of the elbow-to-instep lunge on each leg as a warm-up. Then complete eight to 10 reps of the remaining moves, resting less than one minute between exercises. Repeat for a total of three sets. Try it two or three times a week.