How to Use a Bosu

eminenz2

eminenz2

Cathlete
I posted this question on a thread in the Cathe forum, but thought it would go better here:

How do you use a Bosu ball? Do you have to buy workouts created specifically for it or can you use is in place of a step?

My straight-step DVDs are getting pretty routine now that I can do most of them on two risers, so I'm looking for a new challenge while I wait-wait-wait for the 4-day Split to find its way to my doorstep.

If you can replace the step with a Bosu, how does that work, since the bosu is obviously shorter in length than a step (for example, how do you modify v-step and such...?)?

Thanks for any info!


Susan L.G.
 
You definetely don't want to replace your step with a bosu (I actually don't use a bosu with Cathe's workouts accept for maybe Basic Step, Body Fusion or Cardio and Weights). Cathe's workouts are done to a higher Beat Per Minute than is comfortable for a Bosu.

I recommend buying workouts that are specific to a Bosu but you don't have to. You can do ab work, light weight training (standing, sitting, kneeling on the bosu), and slower step workouts with it. I really like mine. It has definetely helped with my core strength and balance.

Allison
 
Lower impact doesn't necessarily mean slower. But,then again, that may not be the case with Cathe. I'm not sure if LIC is slow enough but I think Low Impact Step might be--now I'm going to go try LIC with my BOSU!. Any workout of hers that's more instructional and beginner would therefore be slower I think.

I was hesitant to buy a Bosu because it's a little expensive, but I'm glad I did. I got hooked when I found a class at my old gym called "Bosu Bootcamp" and it was just killer--a mix between step, drills, and weights. You can turn the BOSU upside down (hence the name BOSU="BOth Sides Utlized")and stand or sit on it to work your core as well.I moved a little while ago and am nowhere near that gym anymore and I miss that class!

I think Season Zeiger, Sharon Money-Twombley and some other CIA people have BOSU workouts. You could check collagevideo.com. Tracey Staehle has some workouts that use the BOSU as well as a prop for functional fitness exercises.

Allison
 
Have you tried Low Max on it? I suppose some of those blasts could have you falling over if you weren't careful.

Thanks for the tips!

Haha! Like I need another reason to spend money I don't have on things I don't need! :p
 
Susan,

Good idea to move this to the OD forum. I also would like to paste my answer from the Cathe Forum to this one.

The inventor David Weck wanted to improve his balance because he understood that balance is the foundation on which all other performance components are built. (I'm using his own words here called "A Message from the inventor")

It is a new way to exercise that is functional, dynamic and truly rewarding. It will continually challenge a person without taking unnecessary risks. The Bosu allows virtually anyone, regardless of skill level, to effectively focus and train balance. Yet it is impossible to master, and will challenge the most gifted athletes in the world indefinitely and allow them to continually improve.

Enhances the quality of life by; more grace, developed abs, more agile, more athletic, and you will be more confident.

You can start off my standing on it and watching TV, move around, jump on it, stick to it. The V step is easy. When you do the V step you are only using a small space anyway.

Remember the High Step workouts that Cathe does? The crew only uses a small space and those workouts are tough. Same kind of thing, only a smaller space and lot more energy being used.

The transformation from a step to a Bosu is like anything else, it takes a little practice, but the learning curve is not long.

Before long you will be able to stand on the ball and do bicep curls, or lunges, push ups, ab and step work. It is so versatile.

I'm already doing the easy step workouts from Cathe, and longing to try the Wedding step workout for tomorrows cardio. It's a challenge all through the steps but that is the point. You want to be challenged like that.

Janie

The idea is to die young as late as possible
 
I have a Bosu, but have never used it for cardio.

I flip over so the ball side is down, so I can CLEARLY see the disclaimer that says "DO NOT USE AS A PLATFORM", and then use it as a platform for a stability challenge for strength work - squats, one-legged squats (a la P90X), push-ups, etc. It makes everything harder.
 
Shelly and Debbie,

Those are great U tubes to view the Bosu. WOW! I thought I was doing really good with Cathe Basic Step using the Bosu. Which by the way kicked my butt!

Susan, I must have been in a dyslexic moment (I do have a touch of it). To do the V step you just shorten the movement, believe you me it will work better than you think! I was talking about the A step when I explained the first time. Sorry about that.

Janie

The idea is to die young as late as possible
 
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