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FitCi › Exercise Guide › Balance Board

How to do Balance Board

Primary muscle: Calves · Secondary: Core, Legs

CalvesBeginnerOtherIsolation
Balance Board start and end positionBalance Board start and end position

Balance Board is an isolation exercise for the calves: one joint works, so it comes after the compound lifts to finish the target muscle. Secondary muscles: core, legs. Difficulty: beginner, suitable for beginners. It takes 5 steps; the most common mistake is covered in the tip below.

Step-by-step

  1. Step onto the balance board with both feet at shoulder width
  2. Bend your knees slightly and fix your gaze forward
  3. Try to balance without letting the board's edges touch the floor
  4. Hold the balance for 30-60 seconds
  5. To progress, close your eyes or switch to one foot

Coaching tip

The go-to tool for ankle sprain rehab and prevention; stay near a wall on your first attempts.

Caution

Skip this move or ask a professional first if you have pain or an injury in: ankle. FitCi filters it out of your program automatically based on the injuries in your profile.

How to program it

Sets × reps and rest by goal; tempo and controlled reps matter most on isolation work. Start at the bottom of the range in week one; add 2.5–5% when you hit the top with clean form.

GoalSets × RepsRest
Strength3 × 6-8120 s
Muscle gain3 × 10-1575 s
Fat loss / conditioning3 × 12-1560 s

FitCi applies this table to your age and goal automatically and writes weekly progression.

Alternatives

More calves exercises

Add this exercise to your program

Build your own program in FitCi, pick an expert template, or photograph the plan your coach gave you; the app tracks sets, reps and weight.