A medicine ball is a very simple yet effective piece of equipment that can fit in to nearly all core workout routines.
In fact it can be integrated into many other workout routines outside of core muscles.
But they don’t do the job as effectively as medicine balls do for our core.
In this review I’ll recommend quite a few medicine balls to buy, talk about the benefits of using one, and also list some of my favorite exercises.
Favorite 10 Pound Ball
Valeo Medicine Ball With Sturdy Rubber
- A classic and sturdy medicine ball ideal for plyometric training.
- It comes in various sizes and colors, up to 12 lbs.
- Rubber construction with a non-slip textured surface. It bounces on hard surfaces.
- It comes with an exercise chart to facilitate your training routines at home.
Sizes
The Valeo balls come in different dimensions, depending on the weight. 10 and 12 lbs medicine balls are 9.5’’ in diameter. 6 and 8 lbs balls are 8.5’’, and the smaller ball is 4 lbs, with 7.5’’ diameter.
They come already inflated and can be used almost anywhere, they are made for indoor exercises, outdoor exercises, and even water use.
Durability
The material is very durable, not filled with sand. It is designed for core exercises and bounces a bit, but not like a basketball, it’s not meant to be slammed.
The quality and functionality of this particular model is praised by most users, and one of the only concerns or problems they reported was a chemical smell upon unboxing, which disappeared with abundant water and soap.
What we like
- Excellent quality materials made to last.
- Good quality for the price.
What we dislike
- It is not designed for slamming, you cannot use it as a slam ball.
Favorite Heavy Medicine Ball
ProsourceFit 50 lbs Slam Medicine Ball
- Robust tire tread surface for increased durability and sturdy grip.
- Absorbs impacts and it is designed for slamming.
- An excellent grip in squats and press exercises.
- Deadweight with no bouncing.
- It comes in different weights from 10 to 50 lbs.
Doubles as a Slam Ball
If you’re looking for a sturdy slam ball, this is one of your hottest picks. You can slam and throw these balls as hard as you can against concrete or any other surface. It is not made to bounce, and will not be thrown against you with all of its weight.
It is constructed with a durable rubber shell, and there are two different varieties.
Classic Slam Balls are 5 to 50 lbs in weight, and Tread Slam Balls are 10 to 50 lbs in weight. The main difference is that Tread versions are designed to not bounce back.
They are perfect for CrossFit, and designed for heavy use at the gym or by personal trainers.
What customers are saying
The ball has overall excellent customer experiences, but some users mention that the weight is off-center and moves around when they are using the ball.
However, some customers use this feature to steadily accommodate the weight and increase the challenge to their core muscles.
What we like
- Sturdy and durable, made with heavy materials.
- It works as a slam ball, they’re not meant to bounce back at you.
What we dislike
- The weight sometimes feels off-center and moves around when in use.
Best Ball For Slams & Crossfit
Champion Sports Rhino Promax Slam Balls
- Made with leather technology to incorporate a jumbo slam exercise to your routine.
- Superior non-slip grip and ergonomic build to catch, throw, and slam.
- More bounce than other medicine balls, and made for slamming, too.
- Offers a variety of colors and weight to incorporate into the exercise routine.
Best of both worlds
This soft-shell ball is made with synthetic leather, and it is thought to deliver the best of both worlds.
It bounces even more than regular medicine balls, and it is appropriate for a few slamming exercises.
One of the best things about this medicine ball is how durable it is, and how it does not lose shape or change weight balance after heavy use.
What customers are saying
Some users have reported that the leather can become slippery, especially when covered in sweat, so that needs to be taken into consideration.
It is also important to say that, even though this product is made to withstand very heavy use, it is not a slam ball by itself.
Thus, if the main use you will give it is slamming, we’d advise you to consider the other available options.
What we like
- Heavy-duty and sturdy, in a variety of colors and weights.
- An excellent price for a durable item that does the job.
What we dislike
- Withstands some slamming exercises, but it’s not a slam ball. Not recommended if that’s your main intended use.
- Not as textured as other medicine balls and sometimes slippery.
Best With Handles
Titan Dual Grip Rubber Medicine Ball
- Rubber shell made with heavy-duty
- Comfortable handles made to allow for a strong grip.
- 11’’ in diameter and black-colored.
- 10 lbs weight.
Safer, easy-grip option
This rubber ball is excellent if you want a medicine ball with handles.
It is a great pick, especially if you’re only looking for extra weight and you feel the round surface of a regular medicine ball is rather dangerous and slippery instead of challenging for your core.
The handles can help you control the weight better while performing abs and other core exercises.
It delivers great quality materials, even though they can have a chemical smell after unboxing. The smell does go away after a while.
What we like
- Having handles makes this medicine ball more versatile for some users.
- It is sturdy and durable, worth the money.
What we dislike
- It is not as challenging to use as a medicine ball and may not stimulate the same muscles for gripping and core activation.
Best Soft Medicine Ball
Dynamax 20lb Soft-Shell Medicine Ball
- 14’’ in diameter in various colors to choose from.
- Absorbs impacts and it is resistant to moisture.
- It features a soft vinyl shell that increases product life and offers a different texture.
- Fairly distributed weight in the core to avoid injury in high-speed movements.
Improved for safety and durability
This type of soft medicine ball is described as the original soft-shell ball made since 1985, and improved for safety and durability.
Shipping weight is 21.3 pounds, but they do not advertise the exact weight of the ball.
There are not many reviews either, to know for sure how it works, or its pros and cons.
However, the users so far considered this a 5-star product and recommend using it.
What we like
- Vinyl shell made to absorb impacts.
- The manufacturers have significant experience in the soft-shell medicine ball industry.
What we dislike
- Does not have enough rating to judge key aspects of the products, such as durability and real-life usefulness.
Core Benefits
Medicine balls can be as light or as heavy as you need. They are known as a fun & entertaining way to give additional work to your core muscles.
This type of exercise has been around for centuries, ever since the ancient Greeks came up with the idea of lifting heavy rocks, actually.
But, does it work, what are the benefits?
We can highlight several benefits to using medicine balls. For instance:
- It is a fun and challenging exercise that feels completely different from bars, kettlebells and dumbbells.
- With medicine balls you can focus more on your core stabilizer movements. They can make your movements unstable and help you strengthen your core.
- These balls improve balance & coordination. They also work on your hand-eye coordination and your flexibility.
- They are very versatile and open your possibilities to hundreds of new exercises and variations.
Which To Buy?
If you read through the article, you may have noticed there are many types of medicine balls.
Some of them are classic medicine balls, others are defined as slam balls, and then there are others made with leather and soft shells.
If you feel confused, fear not. We’re going to make it easier and break down each type with its recommended use for you.
That way, you will know which one is better according to your intended use.
Slam balls
You may also find them listed as dead balls because they offer dead weight that does not bounce back at you after slamming hard against the ground.
It’s usually made with rubber and filled with sand, and they always appear to be ¾ full, but that’s just their design.
These balls are sturdy and durable, perfect if you need to slam balls out of frustration or as a part of your training.
Wall balls
They are similar to slam balls but have a softer cover because they are made to catch and throw.
Traditional medicine balls
The most traditional type of medicine balls bounces a bit when you throw them to the ground. Some of them withstand heavy use and may feel like a slam ball, but remember they are not.
Slamming too often may force you to replace them after a few weeks or months.
Even after you know which type of medicine ball is right for you, there are some key recommendations you’ll need to keep in mind for a smart purchase, such as:
Size and weight
If this is your first time with medicine balls, try smaller and lighter balls and only then progress to heavier options. Be sure you can hold the size of your medicine ball comfortably.
Material
Light materials are made to catch, challenging your balance, and performing lifting and pressing exercises. If you need a slam ball, they should be made with very robust materials that withstand this type of use.
Quality
Yes, you may find cheaper options, but are they worth it? Invest in good quality and always read user comments and ratings.
Medicine Ball Exercises
Some medicine balls come with a list or chart of exercises. But even before buying one, it’s important to get acquainted with the potential exercises you can add to your routine after receiving your new ball.
These are the most essential medicine ball exercises:
Russian twists
With your knees bent and slightly leaned back, hold the medicine ball to the chest and twist to the sides from your lower back. Repeat 8-15 times.
Planks
Hold the ball against the floor with your legs straight and hands extended in front of you. Keep your position for up to 60 seconds.
Ball crunches
This exercise is similar to a regular ab crunch, but keeping the ball overhead with your hands extended all the time. 8 to 15 reps is an excellent goal.
Mountain climbers
Starting with the plank position described above, draw your knee toward the chest, extend, and draw the opposite knee continuously for up to 60 seconds.
Reverse ball planks
It is the regular plank we mentioned above, but instead of placing the medicine ball in your hands, it will be placed in your feet.
Boat pose
Place the medicine ball on your chins and raise them gently keeping them parallel to the floor. Maintain your position for up to 60 seconds.
Ball twists
The same as the Russian twist, but this time you will move your knees to the right when the medicine ball is placed on your left and vice versa.
Other Recommended Medicine Balls
Weighted Slam Ball By Day 1 Fitness
With a very thick outer shell and a stable weight, this slam ball is a great choice to add a variation for your pushups or to unleash your anger slamming it against the ground.
Yes4All Slam Ball For Strength & Crossfit Workout
This ball looks sturdy, and it is indeed. It works great as a medicine ball and has a ridged outer shell to improve your grip and absorb the impact.
Bionic Body Soft Medicine Ball
As you would expect from a slam ball, it does not bounce back at you and has an outer shell with soft surface and impact-absorbent filling that withstand any punishing use.
Jfit Dead Weight Slam Ball For Strength & Conditioning
This one is a great medicine ball with an excellent gripping surface. Even though it is advertised as a slam ball, we recommend using it as a regular medicine ball instead, which should be its main use.
Reebok Soft-Shell Medicine Ball
Made with quality materials and durable, it is a soft-shell ball you can use for slamming without the risk of losing balance of the weight inside.
