If you’ve ever thought about running away with the circus to test your talents as a tight-rope walker, then slacklining might be the trendy new workout you need to try. Beneficial for improving your balance as well as strengthening your joints and tendons, slacklining involves walking along a flat, flexible stretch of material pulled tense between two anchor points.
It’s important to recognize that although slacklining sounds similar to tightrope walking (and maybe looks similar at first glance), these practices are not the same thing. According to the International Slacklining Association (ISA), slacklining is properly done on a piece of webbing—not a rope—about 2 to 5 centimeters wide and made from synthetic fiber. This webbing stretches under weight, which means the slackliner has to react dynamically to the movement by constantly balancing themselves.
Slacklining is a fairly recent invention, with early recorded instances going back only to the early ’90s on college campuses. Today it’s done by people of all ages and abilities, and it can safely be done in a backyard or park. In addition to being fun, it provides more health benefits than you might expect.
Sounds Cool. But Why?
Slacklining will engage your core muscles—including your abs, obliques, and lower back—to keep you steady, but you might not realize how much leg and foot strength is required to hold your balance on the slackline. You will need to use lower-body strength to maintain stability as you move from one point to another. You’ll also put your motor skills to the test and, in time, you can enhance your proprioception, or your perception of the position and movement of your body in a certain space.
But on top of these physical benefits, slacklining can also be a great exercise for you mentally. You’ll concentrate on your body’s movements and be present in the moment. This type of focus helps teach mindfulness and improves your mental clarity. There’s also a healthy social aspect to it, as many people who slackline seek out community from others who enjoy the practice.
How Do I Get Started?
When slacklining gained popularity throughout the early 2000s, slacklining kits quickly became available, making it easy for people interested in trying the activity to get the webbing material they need, as well as ratchets and straps to stretch the webbing between anchors—usually two trees will make the best and easiest option. Slacklining tends to be an activity that carries little risk, but safety is always smart to consider—depending on your comfort level, you might opt to try it with a helmet and knee pads, and seek somebody to spot you for your first few attempts.
Keeping the slackline only a foot or two above the ground will keep risk to a minimum as well. Once you’ve anchored the webbing, you can begin by standing on the line until you’re able to comfortably maintain your balance. Engage your core to help you stay steady. Once you are able, go ahead and take a few steps.
When you’ve mastered walking from one end of the slackline to the other, you can start to add different moves, such as turning around, jumping, or bending. The more you practice, and the more you challenge yourself, the better your balance will become.
