# How do you get better at balancing? Canonical: https://zestasy.com/wiki/better-balance/ Section: Zestasy Wiki > Movement · Updated: 2026-10-13 · Publisher: Zestasy *Zestasy Wiki: our reference answers. Checked for facts and sources; less curated than the magazine.* Treat balance as a skill and practise it little and often: stand on one leg while you brush your teeth or wait for the kettle, walk along kerbs and lines, and try activities that wobble you, such as yoga, dancing, paddleboarding or trail walking. Start near something to hold, then make it harder by moving your arms, turning your head or closing your eyes for a moment. Balance is one of those things you only think about when it goes wrong: the icy step, the rocking ferry, the moment on one leg trying to put a sock on in a hotel corridor. But it is not a fixed trait you either have or don't. It's a skill, and like any skill, it responds to practice. The nice part is that the practice can be woven into the day, and much of it is quite fun. ## Start with standing on one leg The simplest balance exercise there is. - Stand near a wall, a counter or the back of a sturdy chair. - Lift one foot a little off the floor and hold. - Keep your standing knee soft, not locked, and your eyes on a fixed point ahead. - Switch legs. Notice how your foot and ankle make constant tiny adjustments. That's the system doing its job. Do it daily, a few times on each side, until it feels easy. ## Hide it in your day Balance practice doesn't need its own time slot. - **Brushing your teeth.** One leg for the top teeth, the other for the bottom. - **Waiting for the kettle or the moka pot.** One leg until it starts to gurgle. - **Putting on socks and shoes standing up.** With a wall nearby, at first. - **Phone calls.** Wander around, walk heel to toe along a line in the floorboards. - **Queues.** Shift your weight onto one foot and hover the other. Nobody will notice; or if they do, they'll assume you're very cultured. ## Make it a little harder Once standing still on one leg feels comfortable, change one thing at a time: 1. **Move your arms.** Reach forward, sideways, overhead. 2. **Turn your head** slowly from side to side. 3. **Swing the free leg** gently forward and back. 4. **Stand on something softer**, like a folded towel or a cushion. 5. **Close your eyes** briefly, with something to hold right beside you. This is surprisingly hard: you quickly find out how much you rely on your eyes. Then try moving balance: - walking heel to toe along a straight line; - walking backwards somewhere clear and safe; - stepping over small obstacles; - standing up from a chair without using your hands. ## Play with it outdoors The world is full of balance equipment if you look at it the right way. - **Kerbs and low walls.** Walk along them, carefully, where it's safe to step off. - **Beaches and trails.** Sand, roots and uneven ground ask your feet to adapt all the time. - **Stepping stones across a stream.** Classic for a reason. - **Playground beams.** If no one is using them, they're fair game. If you're out with children, see our guide to [keeping up with your kids at the park](https://zestasy.com/wiki/keeping-up-with-your-kids/). ## Activities that build balance If you'd like balance to come along with something enjoyable, many activities are full of it: - **Yoga and Pilates,** with their standing poses and slow control. Our guide to [yoga when you're stiff](https://zestasy.com/wiki/yoga-when-youre-stiff/) is a gentle way in. - **Dancing,** from salsa to ballroom. - **Stand-up paddleboarding,** where the water keeps you honest. See [how hard paddleboarding is for a beginner](https://zestasy.com/wiki/stand-up-paddleboarding/). - **Skating, skiing and cycling,** all of which are balance with momentum. - **Tai chi,** famously slow and steady. ## Strength helps balance Many people find that stronger legs, ankles and hips make it easier to catch a wobble. Simple exercises like squats to a chair, step-ups on a stair and calf raises on the bottom step all add to your steadiness. ## Stay safe while practising Always practise with something sturdy to hold nearby, on a clear, non-slippery floor, and progress slowly. If you feel dizzy, unsteady in everyday life or have had falls, talk to a doctor or physiotherapist, who can suggest exercises that suit you. ## FAQ ### How long should I be able to stand on one leg? There's no target you have to reach. Notice your own time, practise regularly, and enjoy watching it improve. Comparing yourself with yesterday is the only useful comparison. ### Why is one side easier than the other? Most people have a stronger or more practised side. Give the harder side a little extra attention, without obsessing. ### Is balance training only for older people? Not at all. Athletes, dancers, climbers and children all practise it. It's useful at every age, and the playful version is more fun than any machine. ### Should I use a wobble board? It can be fun once the basics feel easy. Start on a hard floor first, and use a wobble board near something to hold. ## Related - [Do you need to be flexible to start yoga?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/yoga-when-youre-stiff/) - [How hard is stand-up paddleboarding for a beginner?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/stand-up-paddleboarding/) - [Can you learn a handstand as an adult?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/handstand-as-an-adult/) - [Can you learn to roller skate as an adult?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/roller-skating-as-an-adult/) - [How do you start dancing if you have two left feet?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/dancing-as-an-adult/) - [All Movement answers in the Wiki](https://zestasy.com/wiki/#movement)