One of my favorite tools I use in the gym with my clients is the BOSU.  Admittedly, it is really easy to get carried away with various tools and equipment when training clients or ourselves.  But, the BOSU is awesome if you are into building strong stable shoulders and safeguarding them against injury.

Many people focus on open chain (the hand is free in space) shoulder training, but in overhead athletes such as swimmers, volleyball players and throwers, it is essential to build a solid level of scapular strength to absorb force and enable the shoulder to move freely and effectively generate power.

I routinely include BOSU stability work in the following ways:

  1. Dynamic warm-up
  2. Core training
  3. Upper body work & scapular strengthening

One of my favorite exercises is what I term the “BOSU clock.”  I wrote a column on this exact exercise for PFP Magazine a few months back.

bosu-clock-start

Click here to read more and learn how to use this exercise to improve shoulder stability and reduce pain and/or injury risk related to shoulder instability, rotator cuff pathology and muscular imbalances.

This is just one great way to use the BOSU in your training.  If you are interested in getting your very own BOSU, head on over to my OpenSky Shop and check it out – http://brianschiff.theopenskyproject.com/