SHOULD YOU USE A BOSU BALL?

The BOSU Balance Trainer, or BOSU ball, was sold as a way to gain stability, through instability. They are supposed to help train your core, improve your balance, and make practically any exercise more effective. Do they really? Should you use a BOSU ball in your workouts? ​

BOSU balls are completely unnecessary for the majority of people looking to get stronger and build muscle. When you stand on an unstable surface you are not going to be able to handle nearly the amount of weight you could if you were on a flat surface.
 
If they are not effective pieces of equipment, then why do you see people using them in almost every gym? The hot girl using one for jump squats is really toned; she definitely must know what she’s doing! And then there is the senior who is holding a bar and marching on it. He must be working on his balance, right? 
 
The BOSU has been around since 2000. I recall taking classes at fitness conferences and falling in love with them. It was something new and challenging! I returned to my clients and taught them all about the BOSU. We did every exercise you could possibly do and made up several more along the way. To all of my former clients-I’m so sorry I made you do BOSU Burpees! *insert blushing emoji.
 
If your goal is to build muscle, just steer clear of the BOSU. You will be able to stabilize and lift more weight without all of the instability from standing on a half ball. If you want to work on balance, standing on one leg would be more helpful that standing on a BOSU. 
 
Let me be clear-I am not the Fitness Police. If you are being safe on a BOSU ball and enjoy using it, then by all means, keep it up. I actually like to use a BOSU ball for a few ab exercises. However, you will not see me standing on it for an exercise such as a Shoulder Press or Biceps Curl. I very much like to stand on a nice, flat surface or sit on a sturdy bench. That is where strength gains happen!