What exactly is a Balance Beam? Why is there so much hype about the humble balance beam? Basically, a balance beam is a horizontal raised beam with a width of 10 centimeters (4 inches) and a length of 5 meters (16 feet) that is used in gymnastic competition for balancing exercises. Gymnastics is most common competitive game in which various balancing feats are performed on this beam.

In the early days of women's artistic gymnastics, beam was based more in dance than in tumbling. Routines were composed with combinations of leaps, dance poses, handstands, rolls and walkovers. In the 1960s, the most difficult acrobatic skill performed by the average Olympic gymnast was a back handspring.

Balance beam difficulty began to increase dramatically in the 1970s. Olga Korbut and Nadia Comaneci pioneered advanced tumbling combinations and aerial skills on beam; other athletes and coaches began to follow suit. The change was also facilitated by the transition from wooden beams to safer, less slippery models with suede-covered surfaces. By the mid 1980s, top gymnasts routinely performed flight series and multiple aerial elements on beam.

The Balance Beam is an artistic gymnastics apparatus. It is only used by female gymnasts. It made of a metal or steel frame and a wooden beam with a leather cover. The maximum exercise time is 1 minute 30 seconds.

One of the most exciting finding was that the women who did strength training actually became more physically active in their everyday lives and even took up new activities. They were gardening more and walking more; they went canoeing and ballroom dancing on the weekend and many of them were doing exercises on the balance beam. This was really encouraging!

There is a type of revolutionary new beam, loaded with internal steel springs spaced its entire length, provide working surface supple enough to "catch" landings while remaining completely stable for normal beam work. But most of us do not really need a fancy balance beam to get healthy! Just buy/make a simple balance beam and exercise your balancing act for a much healthier you!