BOSU
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A BOSU Balance Trainer, or BOSU ball as it is often called, is an athletic training device consisting of an inflated rubber hemisphere attached to a rigid platform. It is also referred to as the "blue half-ball", because it looks like a stability ball cut in half. The name is an acronym which stands for "Both Sides Utilized," (although the BOSU official web site also says it means "Both Sides Up") a reference to the myriad ways a BOSU ball can be used [1]. The device is often used for balance training. When the dome side faces up, the BOSU ball provides an unstable surface while the device remains stable. This combination of stable/unstable allows a wide range of users, from the young [2], elderly, or injured to the elite level athlete [3]. With the dome side up, the device can be used for athletic drills and aerobic activities.
As the name suggests, the device can be flipped over so that the platform faces up. In this position, the device is highly unstable and can be used for a wide array of exercises as well.
The BOSU ball was invented in 1999 by David Weck.
