--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Growing up, we didn't use balance boards…" description: "\"Growing up, we didn't use balance boards or do stability-specific exercises - but we were always outside climbing things, wrestling, and running around..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b9/laird-hamilton-3258_always_growing-up-we-didn-t-use-balance-boards_760495.jpg" --- # Growing up, we didn't use balance boards or do… ![“Growing up, we didn't use balance boards or do stability-specific exercises - but we were always outside climbing things, wrestling, and running around with bare feet. Doing anything that challenges your equilibrium and tries to pull you off-kilter will improve your balance.” quote by Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b9/laird-hamilton-3258_always_growing-up-we-didn-t-use-balance-boards_760495.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b9/laird-hamilton-3258_always_growing-up-we-didn-t-use-balance-boards_760495.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b9/laird-hamilton-3258_always_growing-up-we-didn-t-use-balance-boards_760495.jpg) > “Growing up, we didn't use balance boards or do stability-specific exercises - but we were always outside climbing things, wrestling, and running around with bare feet. Doing anything that challenges your equilibrium and tries to pull you off-kilter will improve your balance.” [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Physical balance improves through varied, natural movement rather than specialized equipment. **In simple terms:** Natural play builds balance better than tools. Key Takeaway Engage in diverse, barefoot activities. Themes balance natural movement health Mood inspirational practical Type advice motivational When to use this quote - outdoor play - training routines - fitness programs Key Concepts kinesthetic learning motor skills Questions to Reflect On - What activities challenge your equilibrium? - Can you incorporate barefoot movement daily? A Different Perspective Modern gyms may overlook functional balance training. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Balance Boards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance-boards-2029149/) [Bare feet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bare-feet/) [Boards Stability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boards-stability-5898985/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Exercises Outside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercises-outside-5898986/) [Feet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feet/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Improve Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improve-balance-5582475/) [Use Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use-balance-5898987/) [Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/will/) ## Related quotes > [In particular, I want to set a challenge to public bodies and private companies to improve gender balance on their own boards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-sturgeon/in-particular-i-want-to-set-a-challenge-to-public-bodies-and-private/) [Nicola Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-sturgeon/) > [Moves that build powerful core muscles (abs, back, hips, and pelvis) help support your spine, so you stand straighter. They also improve your balance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-austin/moves-that-build-powerful-core-muscles-abs-back-hips-and-pelvis-help/) [Denise Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-austin/) > [Besides helping you to form a beautiful flat tummy, strong abdominal muscles will improve your balance and coordination as well as help you perform…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-austin/besides-helping-you-to-form-a-beautiful-flat-tummy-strong-abdominal/) [Denise Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-austin/) > [The feet are loaded with nerve endings and are the key to balance - and I'm in the balance business. In fact, we all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/the-feet-are-loaded-with-nerve-endings-and-are-the-key-to-balance-and/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [“Instead, I woke early the next morning, before sunrise, and went out into the world. I walked past my car. I stepped onto the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-alexie/instead-i-woke-early-the-next-morning-before-sunrise-and-went-out/) [Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-alexie/) > [“His vulnerability allowed me to let my guard down, and gently and methodically, he tore apart my well-constructed dam. Waves of tender feelings were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/his-vulnerability-allowed-me-to-let-my-guard-down-and-gently-and/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“Lego, however, is always opened and then left lying around so adults have something to tread on when they are prowling around around the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-clarkson/lego-however-is-always-opened-and-then-left-lying-around-so-adults/) [Jeremy Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-clarkson/) > [“Marcus woke again to find Sanga lying asleep on his bed, and he quietly climbed off his own mattress, standing still for a moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-riches/marcus-woke-again-to-find-sanga-lying-asleep-on-his-bed-and-he/) [Anthony Riches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-riches/) > [“If I could live again - I will travel light, If I could live again - I'll try to work bare feet at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/if-i-could-live-again-i-will-travel-light-if-i-could-live-again-i-ll/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [“Oscar pushed a strand of her loose raven hair behind her ear, and Camille knew she hadn’t completely failed. The man she loved, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angie-frazier/oscar-pushed-a-strand-of-her-loose-raven-hair-behind-her-ear-and/) [Angie Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angie-frazier/) > [For me the bare feet are grounding. I'm connected to the Earth in a way that I cannot be any other way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/for-me-the-bare-feet-are-grounding-i-m-connected-to-the-earth-in-a/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [“I don't understand, Jenna, why you couldn't give him a ride home?" Mom struck the archetypal Mom pose-hands on hips, perplexed look on face,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-zarr/i-don-t-understand-jenna-why-you-couldn-t-give-him-a-ride-home-mom/) [Sara Zarr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-zarr/) > [The first four months of writing the book, my mental image is scratching with my hands through granite. My other image is pushing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-higgins-clark/the-first-four-months-of-writing-the-book-my-mental-image-is/) [Mary Higgins Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-higgins-clark/) > [Because I'm on my own on stage and wear bare feet and look like a pixie, people always think I'm little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/because-i-m-on-my-own-on-stage-and-wear-bare-feet-and-look-like-a/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [“Her. Her. Her. Future breezes implore me to stay. But I'm no future. I'm no past. Only ever contemporary of this path. I'll sacrifice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/her-her-her-future-breezes-implore-me-to-stay-but-i-m-no-future-i-m/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) ## More by Laird Hamilton > [The amount of things you can do with a kettlebell is unsurpassed by any other training equipment - dumbbells, resistance machines, free weights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/the-amount-of-things-you-can-do-with-a-kettlebell-is-unsurpassed-by/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [People don't think much about breathing. Of all the things we take for granted, breathing has to be number one - even though it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/people-don-t-think-much-about-breathing-of-all-the-things-we-take-for/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [I need a big wave to really excel. The smaller stuff is a bit like...ballet for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/i-need-a-big-wave-to-really-excel-the-smaller-stuff-is-a-bit-like/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [What separates great athletes from mediocre ones isn't only talent and training - it's also how well they can handle discomfort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/what-separates-great-athletes-from-mediocre-ones-isn-t-only-talent/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [People always ask me when they see me working out, "What are you training for?" The answer is I'm training for life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/people-always-ask-me-when-they-see-me-working-out-what-are-you/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [I love espresso... You could give me five shots of espresso, a quarter stick of butter, a quarter stick of coconut oil and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/i-love-espresso-you-could-give-me-five-shots-of-espresso-a-quarter/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [Anyone who knows what he's doing takes a serious attitude toward a risky situation and doesn't take it lightly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/anyone-who-knows-what-he-s-doing-takes-a-serious-attitude-toward-a/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [You want to have diversity in your diet. Too much red meat can leave me feeling sluggish, and sometimes my body will clue me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/you-want-to-have-diversity-in-your-diet-too-much-red-meat-can-leave/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [When you weight train, take your ego out of the equation. If you pick up a giant rack and start squatting, you can throw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/when-you-weight-train-take-your-ego-out-of-the-equation-if-you-pick/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [The biggest mistake anyone can make is being too strict. That stress far outweighs the value of what you're doing. There's a disciplined way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/the-biggest-mistake-anyone-can-make-is-being-too-strict-that-stress/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [There needs to be a reason to go, so you go deeper into whatever place you're visiting to find those unforgettable experiences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/there-needs-to-be-a-reason-to-go-so-you-go-deeper-into-whatever-place/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [While swimming is a great workout, it's also one of the best activities for recovery. It improves the flexibility in your arms and shoulders,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/while-swimming-is-a-great-workout-it-s-also-one-of-the-best/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [Most people don't stretch, because, in a way, it's one of the activities that hurts us the most. It's instantly uncomfortable, which isn't true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/most-people-don-t-stretch-because-in-a-way-it-s-one-of-the-activities/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [To me, there's nothing worse than waking up and realizing that the sun's already been up for awhile. I feel like I've missed out,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/to-me-there-s-nothing-worse-than-waking-up-and-realizing-that-the-sun/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [Start to think about food as a fuel source and you'll see real results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/start-to-think-about-food-as-a-fuel-source-and-you-ll-see-real-results/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) [Explore all 135 Laird Hamilton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) [Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Growing up, we didn't use balance boards or do stability-specific exercises - but we were always outside climbing things, wrestling, and running around with bare feet. 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