Good balance requires basically two things: First, sufficient strength literally from toes to head, and second, probably for the larger part, the capability for coordinating moves.

That coordination is such an incredible complex task, that a significant part of our brain is dealing with it. Every single muscle and tendon, every little segment of the fascia, connects to the brain via sensory and effecting nerve fibers. Improving balance means learning new movement and motor patterns.

It may sound strange at first, yet most people have only a very limited connection between muscles and brain. This becomes evident when people start strength training. after only a few weeks their strength improves a lot. That initial improvement is not because a growth of the muscles, but due to the improvement of the connection between brain/mind and muscles.

Functional strength training, Yoga and Tai Chi, involving everything between your toes and your neck will improve strength and coordination needed for a good balance.
Yet, we can identify some hotspots of importance:

• plantar muscles

• muscles of the lower leg

• hip, especially external rotation, abduction and adduction

• core muscles, particularly regarding twisting and side-flexion

• deep shoulder muscles

Even from those, the connection and coordination between plantar muscles and hip muscles represents probably the most important aspect of the muscular conditioning of balance. The nervous re-conditioning is integrated in all the exercises.