Online Buying Guide: Medicine Balls for Toning
Medicine balls are Swiss balls and are tools that offer many training options, as their instability means that handling them requires a special workout for muscles and for limbs. Work which gives important benefits for almost all sports from an aerobic point of view and strengthens joints and muscles.
Training with medicine balls requires great body control, so you have to bear in mind the size and weight of the ball in order to avoid injuries and work as efficiently as possible.
How many different kgs are available for medicine balls?
Medicine balls are different weights and sizes. The greater the weight of the ball, the greater the size and the colour will also be different. Generally, the minimum weight of the lightest ball is 1 Kg, and the heaviest is 15 Kgs.
A suitable weight for the medicine ball is determined according to the exercise you are going to do and the level of strength of the user and the number of repetitions. For power training, the weight of the medicine ball should be 30%-50% of your capacity. For activities that involve multiple joints, the medicine ball should be big enough to be able to control it with both hands. For abs workouts, the size of the medicine ball should be smaller and lighter so as to be able to maximize the speed and technique.
The 9 kg medicine ball or the 10 kg medicine ball is the most common among veteran ball exercisers but if you are a beginner it is better to try less heavy balls. In this case, the 8 kg medicine ball would be more than enough and even lighter weights can be used for a greater number of repetitions. On the other hand, you can use your medicine ball in crossfit, as it is the perfect complement to exercise routines that include medicine ball games.
A good way to start to train with medicine balls is to choose a light one at first to learn posture and technique, and progressively increase the weight as you advance through the exercises and training and increase your strength.
What are the benefits of using medicine balls or slam balls?
In addition to being useful for toning muscles, burning fat and improving athletic performance, medicine balls provide benefits:
- · Provide muscular toning, strength, power, coordination, balance and resistance.
- · Enable greater mobility and involve different parts of the body: arms, legs and trunk.
- · Offer high intensity work for muscles and joints.
- · Are an excellent way of aerobic training.
- · Develop explosive strength and stamina.
- · Prevent muscle and joint injuries.
- · Contribute to correcting bad posture.
- · Serve as a relaxation technique and help to eliminate accumulated tension.
- · There are different sizes and weights to adjust the exercise to each user.
- · Suitable for all ages.
Medicine Ball Exercises that Strengthen Muscles
With the medicine ball you can perform a multitude of exercises including squats and shoulder presses with medicine ball, lateral launch of the ball, planks, twists with medicine ball working the core area, among other exercises.