Are BOSU Balls Bad for Muscle Growth and Strength? episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 9, 2026 · 15 MIN

Are BOSU Balls Bad for Muscle Growth and Strength?

from Always Adaptive · host Randall

In this video, I’m responding to some comments that have piled up over the past 6 months about some BOSU ball comments I made. I break down some data behind BOSU ball training, instability exercises, force production, and why so many people misunderstand what this equipment actually does.BOSU balls were originally designed for balance training, proprioception, rehab, and fall prevention, not for building strength or muscle. Yet somehow, they became a staple in gyms during the early 2000s “functional training” boom.I walk through:Why EMG data is often misinterpretedHow instability diverts neural drive away from large motor unitsWhy force production and rate of force development matter for strength, hypertrophy, and injury preventionWhy single-leg training on stable ground beats BOSU ball exercises for real-world stabilityIf you’re thinking about adding a BOSU ball to your training regime, watch this video first. Coaching inquiries email me at [email protected] or visit alwaysadaptive.com

In this video, I’m responding to some comments that have piled up over the past 6 months about some BOSU ball comments I made. I break down some data behind BOSU ball training, instability exercises, force production, and why so many people misunderstand what this equipment actually does. BOSU balls were originally designed for balance training, proprioception, rehab, and fall prevention, not for building strength or muscle. Yet somehow, they became a staple in gyms during the early 200...

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Are BOSU Balls Bad for Muscle Growth and Strength?

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This episode was published on February 9, 2026.

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In this video, I’m responding to some comments that have piled up over the past 6 months about some BOSU ball comments I made. I break down some data behind BOSU ball training, instability exercises, force production, and why so many people...

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