Medicine Balls

A medicine ball is a weighted ball used for various exercises, including throws, catches, slams, rotational movements, and core work. They come in various sizes and weights, making them suitable for all fitness levels.

There are several types of medicine balls, each suited for different training goals and preferences: 

• Standard Medicine Balls: These are traditional, solid balls made from rubber or synthetic materials and are often used for general strength and conditioning exercises.
• Slam Balls: Slam balls are heavier and more durable than standard medicine balls, designed specifically for high-impact exercises like slams and throws. They are filled with sand or gel, which makes them less likely to bounce.
• Bouncing Medicine Balls: These balls are designed with a higher bounce and are used for exercises that involve throwing and catching the ball, such as wall balls or partner throws.
• Soft Medicine Balls: These balls are softer, typically covered in leather or fabric, and are used for controlled, slower exercises or for individuals who need a gentler feel during exercises like core rotations or sit-ups.

There are several benefits you will receive from integrating medicine balls and slam balls into your workout routine, including:

• Improving overall strength and power
• Building core stability and coordination
• Increasing speed and agility
• Enhancing cardiovascular endurance
• Aiding in physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Providing a fun and challenging workout

Choosing the right medicine ball depends on the type of exercises you plan to do and your fitness level: 

• For exercises like wall balls, bouncing medicine balls are ideal since they can be thrown and will bounce back for easy catching. If you’re doing explosive movements like slams, a slam ball is the best choice because its heavy, non-bouncing design makes it more durable for high-impact exercises.
• For core workouts, a standard or soft medicine ball may be more suitable as it allows for comfortable gripping and controlled movements.
• Beginners should start with a lighter ball (4-6 lbs), while more advanced users may opt for heavier options (8-12 lbs) for strength and power training.

FitnessFactory.com carries a wide array of medicine balls and slam balls ranging from as low as 2 lbs to 70 lbs. 

The ideal weight depends on your fitness level and the specific exercises you'll be doing.

• Beginners should start with a lighter weight and gradually progress as they get stronger.
• A general rule of thumb is to choose a weight that is challenging but allows you to maintain proper form throughout the exercise.

• Ball squats: Medicine ball squats are a compound exercise that strengthens your legs and core by combining a squat with the instability of holding a medicine ball.
• Burpees: Burpees are full-body exercises that combine a squat, push-up, and jump into a single, challenging movement.
• Russian twists: Russian twists are a core exercise where you rotate your torso back and forth while sitting with your feet off the ground and holding a weight.
• Woodchops: Woodchops are a rotational exercise that strengthens your core and obliques, mimicking the action of chopping wood.
• Push-ups: Push-ups with a medicine ball add instability to a classic exercise, challenging your core and upper body strength.
• Sit-ups: Sit-ups with a medicine ball add weight and instability to a traditional exercise, intensifying your core workout.

For more recommended medicine ball exercises, watch this video: 

No, it is not recommended to slam a medicine ball. Medicine balls are not designed to withstand the impact and are likely to break or burst.

• Slams: Slam ballslams are a full-body exercise that improves strength and power by slamming a weighted ball to the ground.
• Wall balls: Slam ball wall balls combine squats and throws for a full-body, explosive workout.
• Overhead throws: Overhead slam ball throws are full-body exercises that build explosive power in your core, lats, and shoulders.
• Lateral throws: Slam ball lateral throws build core and throwing power by rotating your hips and throwing the ball sideways.
• Sit-ups with slams: Slam ball sit-ups add explosive power to your core workout by incorporating a medicine ball throw at the top of the movement.

For more recommended slam ball exercises, watch this video: 

Storing medicine balls on the floor of a gym can be unsafe and cause injury. We recommend using a medicine ball rack or a combo weight rack with a medicine ball tray to avoid such risks. You can check out our complete range of medicine ball and slam ball storage solutions at Weight Racks.