Single-Leg Balance Reach

How to do it

Stand on one leg with a soft (not locked) standing knee. Reach with your opposite hand or foot in different directions — forward, to the side, behind you. For the reach behind you, hinge at your hip rather than rounding your back. Return to a tall stance between reaches.

Why it's good for runners

Running is a series of brief single-leg stances, and balance under those conditions is what keeps you from rolling ankles or collapsing into your hip. This drill trains your hip, ankle, and core to handle the same demand at slow speeds.

Common mistakes

Slow and deliberate is the rule. If you're losing balance or rushing, make the reach shorter — the point is controlled motion, not maximum range.