This is a revolutionary patented design and manufacturing technique that finally gives an optimal and safe tool for balance training.  This is the ideal tool for gyms and professionals as it includes comprehensive product liability insurance by Axxa – a first for this type of product and reflects the high build quality. The Turtle is latex free and non-toxic and meets all European Union safety standards.

Wide Range of Colours

The durable high weight dome is great for high impact plyometric exercises and can be used barefooted – we do recommend training in Five Fingers to avoid sweat lubricating the dome surface. Here is a PDF showing the differences between the Turtle and the BOSU.

A balance dome is a multi-purpose piece of exercise equipment. It consists of half of an exercise ball with a solid plastic plate attached to the bottom. Balance boards combine features of several different types of equipment such as the balance board and exercise ball and hence are useful for a range of different training techniques. These include balance and stability training as well as strength exercises such as push ups.

The standard size for a balance dome is around 26 inches (65 centimeters). The ball part of the dome can be inflated or deflated which makes it easy to transport. Pumping up an exercise dome requires a pump although this is usually included in the package.

Many exercise domes also include tubing that can be attached to the base. This is commonly used for stability exercises — especially if the person is yet to master all the exercises or has poor balance. Tubing and handles are also useful for people using the exercise dome for injury rehabilitation. If elasticized tubing is provided with the dome then this can also be used to provide resistance in certain exercises.

Exercise domes are sometimes used for rehabilitation of ankle and other lower leg injuries. When an injury is sustained this can often weaken muscles that provide stability. Stability training equipment such as the balance dome is used to mimic an unstable situation which helps to build up the muscles to the desired level. Sometimes these types of exercises are referred to as proprioception exercises. Proprioception is the body’s ability to sense where it is relative to other objects and is vital for stability and balance.

One of the most basic stability exercises using a balance dome is to turn it onto its ball side, stand on the flat part of the dome and hold the tubing for support. The ball will start to wobble creating an instability that must be countered by the person performing the exercise. This may be difficult to begin with but after a period of time, the person’s balance and stability will start to increase. When the exercise becomes straightforward the tubing can be dropped in order to increase the difficulty.

Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), formerly know as the Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science (AAESS), is a professional organisation which is committed to establishing, promoting and defending the career paths of tertiary trained exercise and sports science practitioners, who are in turn committed to best practice and client well-being. The central tenet of our profession is that:

“Exercise and Sports Science is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the understanding and enhancement of human movement in the broadest sense, including general physical activity pursuits such as goal oriented fitness regimens and recreational sport as well as elite sport and the area of performance enhancement. It includes the knowledge, methods and applications of subdisciplines (ie. exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control and motor development, exercise and sport psychology) as well as how they interact”.

AAESS was officially founded in 1991, and changed its trading name to ESSA in 2010. It was founded to meet the professional needs of exercise and sports scientists in Australia. It is directed by an Executive Board comprised of leading academics and practitioners in these fields and is supported by a growing number of regional chapters throughout Australia.

AAESS Pty Ltd (trading as ESSA) is an incorporated body and its constitution has been registered with the Australian Securities Commission.

Why is ESSA needed?

Current research emphatically confirms the importance of regular moderate physical activity for public health. Authorities that recognise and support these findings include World Health Organisation (Position Statement 1995), the US Surgeon General (Position Statement 1996), the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council (1997) and American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association (2007) .

As a result, there is considerable interest in the exercise and sports science fields from within the government/public and private sectors.

Responsible advocacy of broad based public participation in physical activity necessarily requires that professional service providers are available.

ESSA members are qualified to comprehensively assess an individuals exercise capacity and can ensure that participation is safe and achieves the optimum outcomes for all sectors of the population.