The Toe-Tapping Tip For Better Balance

Balance is critical for health especially in older age, since it’s amazing how much else can go dramatically and suddenly wrong after a fall. So, here’s an exercise to give great balance and stability:

How to do it

You will need:

• Something to hold onto, such as a countertop
• A target on the floor, such as a mark or a coin

The steps:

• Lift one leg up, bring your foot forward, and tap the object in front of you.
• Then, bring that foot back to where it started.
• Next, switch to the other leg and tap.
• Alternate between your right and left legs, shifting back and forth.
• Your goal is to do this for 10 repetitions on each leg without holding on.

How it works:

Whenever you tap, you have to lift one leg up and reach it out in front of you. Doing this requires you to stand on one leg while moving a weight (namely: your other leg), which is something many people, especially upon getting older, are hesitant to do. If you’re unable to stand on one leg, let alone move your center of gravity (per the counterbalance of the other leg) while doing so, you may end up shuffling and walking with your feet sliding across the ground—something you really want to avoid.

For more on all of this plus a visual demonstration, enjoy:

Click Here If The Embedded Video Doesn’t Load Automatically!

Want to learn more?

You might also like to read:

Fall Special ← this is about not falling, or, failing that, minimizing injury if you do

Take care!