More on Balance

Freakonomics says (I roughly misquote) we look for information that tends to reinforce the opinions we already have, as opposed to looking for sources that will help us broaden or change our ideas.

In that tradition, I’ve been meaning to look up stuff about how great balance-work is for the brain. But it turned out “balance” and “brain” get used a lot in other contexts and so far I’ve been too lazy to pursue it.

So I’ll grossly summarize what Gretchen Reynolds–whose own research massively reinforces her (and not my) prejudice in favor of running (because I hate it)–said on p. 168-169 of The First 20 Minutes.

People who have previously injured their ankles have bad balance.
People who run most often injure their ankles by tripping
People with good balance are less likely to trip.

I won’t generalize to say people with good balance are less likely to run. But you know. If the syllogism fits.

Here’s a sneaky balance you can slip in while you’re waiting in line with that tub of chocolate-chip ice cream.

Check-out balance


Stand up straight. As always, suck your gut in and hug your leg muscles in toward your bones
Shift your weight into one foot
Lift the other foot very, very slightly.

The straighter you stand, the better the work out, and the less anyone can tell you’re doing something weird.