Happy (almost) New Year from Oxygen!

Whether or not you've got some resolutions lined up for 2022, I think we can all agree that 2021 was a year that we're gladly ushering out the door. As the first Monday of 2022 rolls around, we wish you luck trying to find a parking spot at the gym if you're brave enough to try.

Here at Oxygen, our resolution is the same as every other year, and frankly, every single day: Bring you the latest and greatest in fitness and nutrition knowledge to set you up for whatever goal you're striving for at the moment. And no matter where you're at in your journey, you know we're cheering from the sidelines!

In the articles below, you'll find tools to improve your overall fitness like functional BOSU ball exercises and core training tactics, plus mobility-boosting stretch variations. Use your Outside+ login to access a plethora of targeted workouts, comprehensive workout and nutrition plans and video courses like our Fitness Quests or Fast-Track Fitness.

Happy nearly New Year — and keep killin' it, Oxygen fam!

— Rose McNulty, Senior Digital Editor

5 Functional Ways to Use a BOSU Ball

Not sure what else to do with a BOSU ball besides crunches? We’ve got you!

Here, health coach and virtual fitness studio owner Aimee Nicotera, MS, ACSM-certified exercise physiologist and AFAA-certified personal trainer helps you get the most out of your BOSU.

1. Find Balance

Good balance isn’t just important for athletes and acrobats. It can help prevent falls, ward off injuries and improve our confidence during any move we make.

“Whether you play sports regularly or simply want to avoid shuffling your feet as you age, mastering balance is key,” Nicotera says. “One-leg balance drills can improve neuromuscular strength in the ankles and knees and help maintain proper joint function.”

How to Do the One-Leg BOSU Balance Drill

Stand on the dome side of the BOSU with your feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent. To help balance yourself, you can put both arms straight out to your sides. Once you master that without struggling, take the difficulty up a notch by moving one foot toward the center of the BOSU and lifting your other foot up in the air a few inches. Work up to holding this one-leg balance pose for 30 to 45 seconds at a time.

As you get more proficient, challenge yourself further by extending your arms overhead instead of to the sides.

Keep reading for four more functional Bosu drills »