Trainer Tip with Kimmie- Balance
Three easy ways to improve your balance
![Picture of Kimmie walking heel to toe](http://strong.bodyfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Balance_Heel-to-toe-2-300x300.jpg)
Heel to Toe inline walk
- Head up, chest up, and eyes straight ahead.
- Pretend you are walking on a tight rope.
- Place your heel directly in front of your toe
- Repeat moving your back foot in front of your front foot.
Practice walking forward and backward heel to toe.
If balance is an issue practice next to a wall and extend your arms out.
![Picture of Trainer standing on beam on one leg the other leg lifted off the ground](http://strong.bodyfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Balance_Side-Step-Up-2-300x300.jpg)
Side Step to Balance
- Head up, chest up, and eyes straight ahead.
- Stand next to a step or box with feet straight.
- Step sideways onto the box with one leg.
For an extra challenge
- Step sideways onto the box with one leg.
- Stand upright and lift the other leg and balance with one foot on the box and hold for a few seconds
- Move the lifted back down and follow with balance side
- Work towards lifting the knee on the lifting leg to a flexed position.
![Picture of a trainer balancing on leg hands outstretched.](http://strong.bodyfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Balance_one-leg-balance-2-300x300.jpg)
Balancing on one foot
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
- Lift one leg off the floor either bending your knee or reaching your foot out to the side.
- Hold the position as long as you can maintain good form, up to 30 seconds.
- Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
- As your balance improves, increase the number of repetitions.
For an extra challenge:
- Balance on one leg on an unstable surface (sand, bosu, pillow)
Balancing barefoot recruits more foot muscles and may further help improve balance and stability.