Balance training aid

Abstract

A training aid for use with a suspended and tensioned line, a dynamic suspended line, one or more ropes or a slackline for improving the human proprioceptive system, athletic performance, athletic speed, athletic agility, athletic vertical leap, athletic eye/hand coordination, spatial awareness, left/right brain organization and increasing the muscular development of a user. The training aid includes a board member. The user places all or part of their body weight on a top surface of the board member and attempts to balance. A latch member may be provided for securing the board member to the line. One or more engagement members may be provided for providing a reduction to the oscillation of the line when the training aid is mounted thereto. Optionally, the board member may be placed atop a flexible and/or deformable support member to provide for balance training.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A balance training aid for use with a slackline, comprising:
 a substantially rigid panel comprising a first end, a second end generally opposite the first end, an outer profile, a top surface and a bottom surface; and   a receiver formed by or attached to the panel and adapted to receive the slackline with the panel being removably mounted to and carried on the slackline, wherein the panel removably mounts onto the slackline so during use a user can place at least one foot on the top surface thereof and attempt to balance on the board without the line causing flexture of the foot thereby providing an enhanced balance-training benefit.   
     
     
         2 . The balance training aid of  claim 1 , wherein the outer profile is generally rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The balance training aid of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface comprises a substantially planar surface. 
     
     
         4 . The balance training aid of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver includes one or more channels are formed within the bottom surface and extending from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The balance training aid of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more channels of the bottom surface are configured to receive the slackline therein. 
     
     
         6 . The balance training aid of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more channels are generally rectangular in cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         7 . The balance training aid of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more channels are generally dove-tailed in cross-sectional shape with a larger width at an upper surface of the channel than at a lower surface of the channel that is proximal the bottom surface of the panel, wherein the slackline has a width that is larger than the channel at the lower surface. 
     
     
         8 . The balance training aid of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more channels are generally circular in cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         9 . The balance training aid of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver includes one or more bores formed within the panel, between the top surface and the bottom surface, and extending from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         10 . The balance training aid of  claim 1 , further comprising a securing mechanism for securing the board member to the slackline. 
     
     
         11 . The balance training aid of  claim 1 , further comprising handles positioned at the first and second ends, the handles extending in opposite directions from the first and second ends. 
     
     
         12 . The balance training aid of  claim 9 , wherein the panel includes first and second portions that cooperatively define the bore therebetween, the first and second portions being pivotally mounted together such that the first and second portions can pivot between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         13 . A standing platform for placement on a suspended and tensioned webbing, the webbing defining a webbing width, the standing platform comprising:
 an elongate board, the elongate board comprising a first end, a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface comprises a substantially smooth surface extending from the first end to the second end, the top surface defining a length and a width, the width being at least equal to a narrowest width of a shoe sole; and   a channel defined in the bottom surface and extending from the first end to the second end of the board, the channel defining a channel width greater than the webbing width, wherein the channel is adapted for removable engagement with the webbing to removably engage the elongate board thereto so that a user can place at least one foot on the top surface thereof and attempt to balance on the board without the line causing flexture of the foot thereby providing an enhanced balance-training benefit.   
     
     
         14 . The standing platform of  claim 13 , wherein the channel of the bottom surface allows for receiving a portion of the webbing therein. 
     
     
         15 . The standing platform of  claim 13 , further comprising a locking member for securing the elongate board to the webbing. 
     
     
         16 . A training platform for use with at least one suspended and tensioned line, comprising:
 a plank member, the plank member comprising a length, a width, a first side, a second side, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the length being defined between a first end and a second end, and the width being defined between a first side and a second side, wherein the top surface is substantially planar, the length is between 12-20 inches, and the width is between 4-15 inches.   
     
     
         17 . The training platform of  claim 16 , wherein the length is between about 12-16 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The training platform of  claim 16 , wherein the width is between about 4-10 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The training platform of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one channel extending along the length from the first end to the second end, and wherein the at least one channel is configured to cooperate with the at least one suspended and tensioned line to secure the line to the panel. 
     
     
         20 . The training platform of  claim 16 , wherein the training platform can be placed atop and removably secured to a flexible and/or deformable support member.