Balance beam

A balance beam having a shock absorbing capability, the balance beam comprising:

• an elongate beam member;
• an elongate beam support core supporting the elongate beam member, and the beam member having a substantially planer top surface supporting a pad;
• at least one balance beam support supports a rear surface of the beam support core to space the balance beam a desired distance away from a support surface;
• a resilient element located between the beam member and the beam support core, and the resilient element allowing the beam member to move relative to the beam support core when a vertically downward force is exerted on the beam member to absorb shock imparted to the balance beam by a user;
• and
• an exterior cover encasing a substantial portion of an outer perimeter of the balance beam to facilitate retaining the beam member in proper mating engagement with the beam support core to facilitate relative movement between the beam member and the beam support core.

A method of absorbing shock in a balance beam, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an elongate beam member;
• supporting the elongate beam member via an elongate beam support core;
• locating a resilient element between the beam member and the beam support core;
• and
• at least partially compressing the resilient element, when a vertically downward force is exerted on the beam member, to allow the beam member to move relative to the beam support core and absorb shock imparted to the balance beam by a user.