“Stand up straight.”
Teenagers shrug at the motherly advice, but it’s worth heeding because good posture is important to balance. When you stand up straight, weight is centered over your feet which also helps maintain correct form while exercising, resulting in fewer injuries and greater gains.
Good balance can strengthen your abilities in tennis, golf, running, dancing, skiing — and about any sport or activity. If you are not an athlete, just walking across the floor or down the block requires good balance, also rising from a chair, going up and down stairs, carrying packages, and even turning to look behind you.
Poor posture isn’t just a bad habit. There are physical reasons for poor posture which affect your daily activities like inflexible muscles which decrease your range of motion. Like how far a joint can move in any direction. For example, overly tight, shortened hip muscles tug your upper body forward and disrupt your posture. Overly tight chest muscles can pull your shoulders forward.
Muscle strength affects balance in a number of ways. The “core muscles” of the back, side, pelvis, and buttocks form a sturdy central link between your upper and lower body. Weak core muscles encourage slumping, which tips your body forward and thus off balance. Strong lower leg muscles also help keep you steady when standing.
The good news: You can improve your posture with a few simple exercises. Balance-specific workouts address posture and balance problems with exercises that build strength where it counts and stretches that loosen tight muscles. Quick posture checks in the mirror before and during balance exercises can also help you get the most from your regular workout. And increasing your core strength and flexibility can help you improve your posture noticeably in just a few weeks.