Balance Training System and Related Techniques

Abstract

A balance training system and related techniques are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the system includes a middle portion, a first end portion disposed to a first side of the middle portion, a second end portion disposed to a second side of the middle portion, opposite the first end portion, and a centrally disposed balance point about which the system can rotate parallel to a plane of an underlying surface. A user may posture over a top surface of the system, distal to the underlying surface. In accordance with some embodiments, the system is configured to permit rotation at least 360° in either direction about the centrally disposed balance point and to permit the user to engage in a twisting motion such that the balance training system rotates about the centrally disposed balance point parallel to the plane of the underlying surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of balance training, the method comprising:
 positioning a balance training system over an underlying surface, the balance training system comprising:
 a middle portion; 
 a first end portion disposed to a first side of the middle portion; 
 a second end portion disposed to a second side of the middle portion, opposite the first end portion; and 
 a centrally disposed balance point about which the balance training system can rotate parallel to a plane of the underlying surface; and 
   posturing over a top surface of the balance training system, the top surface distal to the underlying surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first end portion and the second end portion are constituents of a body portion of the balance training system; and   the body portion is of curved rectangular shape and of greater length than width.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the body portion is symmetrical about at least one axis. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the body portion is comprised of at least one of a wood, a plastic, a cured resin, and a metal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the body portion is of substantially rigid, monolithic construction. be The method of  claim 1 , wherein an edge of at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion is rounded. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the balance training system further comprises a traction enhancement feature disposed on the top surface. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface is textured to provide a non-slip traction area. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein posturing over the top surface of the balance training system comprises:
 standing over the balance training system such that at least one of:
 a first foot is positioned over the top surface proximate the first end portion; and 
 a second foot is positioned over the top surface proximate the second end portion. 
   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the balance training system is configured to permit rotation at least 360° in either direction about the centrally disposed balance point; and   the method further comprises:
 engaging in a twisting motion such that the balance training system rotates about the centrally disposed balance point parallel to the plane of the underlying surface. 
   
     
     
         11 . A balance training system comprising:
 a middle portion;   a first end portion disposed to a first side of the middle portion;   a second end portion disposed to a second side of the middle portion, opposite the first end portion;   a centrally disposed balance point about which the balance training system can rotate parallel to a plane of an underlying surface; and   a top surface distal to the underlying surface over which a user can posture.   
     
     
         12 . The balance training system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first end portion and the second end portion are constituents of a body portion of the balance training system; and   the body portion is of curved rectangular shape and of greater length than width.   
     
     
         13 . The balance training system of  claim 12 , wherein the body portion is symmetrical about at least one axis. 
     
     
         14 . The balance training system of  claim 12 , wherein the body portion is comprised of at least one of a wood, a plastic, a cured resin, and a metal. 
     
     
         15 . The balance training system of  claim 12 , wherein the body portion is of substantially rigid, monolithic construction. 
     
     
         16 . The balance training system of  claim 11 , wherein an edge of at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion is rounded. 
     
     
         17 . The balance training system of  claim 11 , further comprising a traction enhancement feature disposed on the top surface. 
     
     
         18 . The balance training system of  claim 11 , wherein the top surface is textured to provide a non-slip traction area. 
     
     
         19 . The balance training system of  claim 11 , wherein the balance training system is configured such that, in posturing over the top surface, the user stands over the balance training system such that at least one of:
 a first foot of the user is positioned over the top surface proximate the first end portion; and   a second foot of the user is positioned over the top surface proximate the second end portion.   
     
     
         20 . The balance training system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the balance training system is configured to permit rotation at least 360° in either direction about the centrally disposed balance point; and   the balance training system is configured to permit the user to engage in a twisting motion such that the balance training system rotates about the centrally disposed balance point parallel to the plane of the underlying surface.