The Bosu Balance Trainer sure has been getting a lot of publicity lately, and if you're anything like me you have a healthy dose of skepticism about this newcomer to the fitness scene.

My wife Grechen kept insisting that we get a Bosu ball for our home gym but I wasn't convinced. I've always been a weights and dumbbells kind of guy and couldn't see myself using a “balance trainer”. It sounded kind of girlie to me (I know, not very PC but I'm a guy).

Grechen put my mind at ease by telling me that lots of guys at the gym use one, and they all love it! I finally caved in and agreed to give a Bosu ball a chance, but was quick to tell her that I would return it if I didn't like it (they are about $100 bucks).

We ended up getting the Bosu Balance Ball Trainer which is the full size model you'll find at the gym.

Bosu Ball Top View

Bosu has also released a “sport” model of the regular ball that is a bit cheaper but doesn't have the same size or capabilities of the full size model and is not recommended.

Bosu Balance Trainer Bottom View

I've discovered there are tons of exercises you can do with a Bosu that don't seem evident when you first get one. You can obviously do static balance training, but the really fun exercises involve dynamic movements like jumping, hopping and using a medicine ball or swiss ball. Some people jump rope and run on these things if you can believe that.

So do I like my new Bosu ball? I sure do – even if I have to eat my words about it being girlie.

Here's where I got my Bosu Ball Balance Trainer cheap online.