Medicine Ball
The medicine ball is a very versatile piece of exercise equipment. You could use this item for a variety of exercises by yourself, with a partner, or with a group. There are many stretching exercises, strength building exercises, and more that incorporate a medicine ball. This is also a great tool for basketball players looking to improve the strength of their chest pass.
There are many different types of medicine ball exercises. For instance, you could choose explosive exercises (throws) or even use the medicine ball with some push up variations. One classic exercise that works great with a medicine ball (involves two people) is where you are doing a sit up and passing the ball with a partner. This type of exercise would be great as it targets your abs tremendously and is considered a weighted ab exercise.
What is a Medicine Ball?
A medicine ball is a weighted ball that can be used for a number of exercises. The ball is roughly 14 inches in diameter and varies from 2-25lbs in weight. It is often used with strength building and rehabilitation after an injury. As the name suggests, the ball is also used in the sports medicine field.
A basketball is very lightweight so it cannot be used for the same purposes. Many basketball players that use a medicine ball can increase their explosive strength exponentially. After you go from using a heavy medicine ball to a lightweight basketball you will definitely see the difference. The end result will be faster and more precise passes. This is especially important for chest passes and can minimize on the time frame an opponent has to grab a televised pass.
For basketball players, you also have the option of a basketball medicine ball which is a heavier basketball. This is great because it is shaped the same as a normal basketball and it will not feel awkward.
Buying a Medicine Ball
There are many different types of medicine balls to choose from. If you want a lightweight one then it may only weigh two or three pounds. Most medicine balls are mid-weight and will be just a little under ten pounds. On the other hand, there are some that are over sixty pounds. However, these may not be classified as medicine balls, but they do follow the same design concept.
There are other things to consider as well. Many medicine balls do not bounce but there are some that do. If you can find a medicine ball in the size of a basketball (but heavier) that bounces then it could help with dribbling drills. You could also find large medicine balls that may look like an exercise ball or yoga ball. These would be better used as a stability ball if anything but they are very uncommon.
Medicine Ball Exercises
It should already be obvious that there are many things you can do with a medicine ball. The medicine ball exercises you can benefit from depends on your goal. Boxers use a medicine ball as a way to simulate a body punch to their mid-section. This strengthens the boxer's core and can help when preparing for a fight. Many athletes also use a medicine ball for core strength exercises.
You can incorporate a medicine ball in many different exercises. If you can easily do high repetition sets of sit ups then you will not get any major gain by continuing this. To increase your ab strength you should avoid endurance exercises and look for low repetition exercises instead. Adding weight to your ab exercises and doing variations to normal ab exercises is a good idea. A medicine ball can be incorporated with basic sit ups and sit up variations as well.
This is only a little start on the exercises that can be done with a medicine ball. This is by far one of the most versatile fitness products you could purchase. They may be a little expensive but they can really pay off. If you are looking for a great addition to your strength building exercises then you should not overlook the medicine ball.
