In the fitness world, it is very important to employ the right exercising equipment for an effective workout training, in order to achieve your fitness goals.
Medicine balls are one of the most efficient workout equipment fitness enthusiasts cannot look down upon. They are versatile pieces of equipment which offers a dynamic way of burning off excess fats while strengthening the muscle.
Since there are many different varieties available, choosing the best medicine balls that would be adopted to suit the user’s fitness goals has often been a challenge.
In this article, we have put together the top best medicine balls of different types for your workout exercises, to give your body the definition you have always wished for.
14 Best Medicine Balls
To help in narrowing down your search, we have gathered the top medicine balls of different types, they are:
Hard Shell Medicine Balls (Bounceable Types)
AmazonBasics Medicine Ball
- It is durable and easy to use and handle.
- It is ideal for sport and endurance training.
- It has an initial unpleasant rubber smell and does not come with a pump.
The AmazonBasics medicine ball provides a good addition to any workout exercise to improve core strength, balance, and coordination of its users.
This amazing workout equipment is ergonomically designed and made using a durable high-grade rubber. Its textured surface offers a superior grip, making it an ideal everyday workout tool for both upper and lower body exercises.
SPRI Xerball Medicine Ball
- It is very durable and easy to grip.
- You can add air to increase bounce and workout varieties.
- It is a bit pricey but it’s worth the money.
This one of a kind total-body training equipment enhances the power, muscular strength, endurance, and stability of its users.
This basketball-sized weighted ball is made of 80% Rubber and 20% PVC Plastic which provides a better bounce and made it highly durable. It also features bold colors and weight stamps that can be easily identified as well as a textured surface for safe and secure grip.
Valeo Medicine Ball
- It is easy to handle, best bang for its price.
- It is good for basketball players and ideal for endurance training.
- It has a rubbery odor that is similar to a car tire and has no weight increment above 12 pounds.
Valeo medicine ball is designed to help develop user’s core strength while improving balance, endurance and coordination.
Its sturdy rubber construction makes it durable and strong enough to withstand a lot of usages. The ball also features a textured surface for a good and solid grip with the inclusion of an exercise wall chart for reference.
Grip Medicine Balls (Med Balls with Handle)
SPRI Dual Grip Xerball
- Dual handles provide an easy and secure grip.
- Ideal for pushup and rotation exercise
- Come with an instruction sheet and a workout DVD to get you started.
- Few users complained of a lingering unpleasant rubber smell.
The SPRI dual grip Xerball features a synthetic rubber PVC construction and comes with dual-handle which offers a strong and secure grip.
They are durable and offer a lot of med ball training options even though they are not meant for bouncing and slamming exercises. Xerball available in several weight increments and are ideal for rotational abs, golf swings, pushups and lower body movement exercise.
Milliard Double-Grip Medicine Ball
- Offers many different varieties of workout drills including CrossFits yoga and weight training.
- Durable, and excellently designed for a comfortable grip.
- A few complaint about its lingering rubber smell.
The Milliard Double-Grip Medicine Balls are versatile pieces of equipment available in 6 to 12 pounds increments that can be incorporated into any kind of workout exercises.
They are made from high-quality materials, with a textured surface and dual handles to ensure nice and safe grips. It's good for balance training, CrossFits, pushups, weighted sit-ups rotational abs and much more.
Aeromat Dual Grip Power Medicine Ball
- The soft dual handles make it very easy to use.
- It is made from a durable material that produces no unpleasant smells.
- No available increment more than 14 pounds.
The Aeromat Dual Grip Power Medicine Ball is made of a durable material with soft dual handles and a textured finish which provide a secure grip.
They offer a great deal of versatility as they can bounce off hard surfaces. They are available in 6pounds – 14pounds increments and are ideal for rotational abs, balance, endurance and strength training.
Soft Medicine Balls
Rep Fitness Soft Medicine Ball
- Available in different weights, the stitched in weight and logo stamp won’t wear off for ease of identification.
- Highly durable medicine ball with large surface area to work with.
- A bit expensive.
The Rep Fitness soft medicine ball is specially designed for CrossFit wall ball drills. They are available in different weights at a constant diameter size (14’’) that is large enough to work with.
Its textured synthetic leather material makes it highly durable, easy to grip and reduces the risk of being injured while performing your med ball exercises.
Empower Fingertip Grip Medicine Ball
- Specially designed for women.
- It is easy to handle, sturdy yet soft for flexible drills.
- It feels awkward when working out as the material inside the ball shifts as you move it.
If you want a softer ball for lighter workouts, the Empower fingertip medicine ball is your best bet. Its ergonomic design and fingertip grip makes it easy to handle while performing varieties of exercises.
It comes in 6, 8 and 10 pounds variation with a power Abs workout DVD to get you started.
Danskin Weighted Toning Ball
- The ball is soft to the touch and also workout friendly.
- It has a latex-free vinyl shell.
- Not suitable for bouncing.
This toning weighted ball help to improve muscle tone, core strengths, and flexibility. It features a latex-free vinyl shell that is easy to grasp and use. This soft med ball is also available in 6, 8, and 10 pounds variants.
Slam Medicine Balls
J/fit Dead Weight Slam Ball
- It is one of the best medicine balls for the money.
- It offers many variations of weights for many varieties of exercises.
- A few reports of sand movement within the ball as it moves back and forth.
The J/fit dead weight is a versatile piece of equipment which can be used for rigorous workout training.
It has a tough and grippy outer shell to facilitate handling and produces a zero bounce on impact. These dead weights med balls are available in 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 50 pounds, a lot of weights to choose from.
Rep V2 Slam Balls
- It is highly durable; thanks to its outer rubber shell that is 50% thicker.
- It comes with 3 years warranty.
- A little bit expensive.
The Rep V2 Slam ball features a very thick and grippy outer shell (made of rubber that is 50% thicker than most other rubber balls you will find on the market).
This 9-inch diameter ball produces a low bounce which is ideal for rebounding, catching, slamming and CrossFits. They offer a great deal of durability and are also available in 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 pounds weight variations to select from.
Titan Fitness Slam Spike Ball
- Perfect for CrossFits and other rigorous workouts.
- It is durable and available in weight increments from 10 to 60 pounds.
- Some users wished it was a bit smaller in size.
Titan Slam Ball features a thick rubber construction which makes it durable and able to handle a high level of impacts.
It has a textured surface that promotes a secure grip making it suitable for CrossFits and other high-intensity workouts. This 9.5-inch ball is available in weight increments from 10 to 60 pounds.
These slam balls are made from the finest material and are extra fortified to ensure durability. They are highly recommended!
Rope Medicine Balls
Power Systems Power Rope Medicine Ball
- They are durable balls with high-quality ropes that provide a secure grip.
- They provide more core exercise options that cannot be performed with a regular ball.
The Power Rope Ball features a hollow synthetic rubber construction with a 36-inch rope permanently attached to the ball and washers on both sides of the ball, to keep the rope intact.
The attached rope provides several grip options for use while performing swinging exercises and core rotational motions. They are available in different sizes, and weights option (2 – 18 lbs).
Ader Power Rope Medicine Ball
- They are sturdily constructed with a high-quality rope that provides a secure grip.
- They offer more rigorous core exercises that cannot be performed with a normal medicine ball.
- The rope is not detachable to allow the usage of the ball in a more traditional style.
The Ader Power Rope Medicine Ball features a synthetic rubber construction with a rope attached through its center and washers on both side of the ball, to hold the rope in place and prevent the ball from falling out.
The attached rope provides several grip options for use while performing core rotational motions and swinging exercises. They are also available in different weights increments.
Types of Medicine Ball
1. Hard Shell Medicine Ball (Bounceable Types)
- This is the most common variety of medicine balls. They are made of several-inches-thick rubbers, giving them a hard feel and the ability to bounce on impact. This bouncing ability is affected by their weights i.e. the heavier the ball, the lower its bouncing ability.
- Hard shell med balls are used with or without a partner to perform bounce pass or catch exercises. They are also ideal for balance and stability drills.
- Bounceable med balls are available in different weights and sizes and are used by sports trainers and fitness enthusiasts for both indoor and outdoor activities.
Maintenance Tips
These are high-quality bounce-able balls you definitely won’t regret buying; however, they have to be properly maintained for them to last real long. The following tips will help you make most out of your medicine ball.
Clean the ball using a rag, with some water and soap. This will help get rid of the unpleasant odor.
Keep the balls in racks or storage trees when not in use.
Avoid spraying chemicals on the ball, as this could damage the rubber shell.
Bounce-able med balls should not be used for slamming as this could affect their durability.
Keep the ball away from sources of heat such as heaters, fireplaces, etc.
Make sure they are kept in a cool and dry place.
2. Grip Medicine Ball (Med Ball with Handle)
- Grip medicine balls come with one or two handles, this makes them easier to grip and handle than other medicine balls with no dedicated handles.
- They are not suitable for bounce and slams but can be used for workout exercises that involve throwing.
- Power grip balls are available in several weight increments and are ideal for rotational abdominal drills, CrossFits, tennis strokes, golf swing and dumbbell simulation exercises.
Maintenance Tips
These power grip balls are highly durable. However, the following tips will help add more years to the years of these ball’s services to you.
Wash the ball with soap and water and dish soap. This will help get rid of the initial rubbery smell and slippery feel.
Avoid using organic solvents and other chemicals on the ball, as this could damage the rubber shell.
Power grip med balls are not ideal for slamming as it could damage their shell or handles.
Keep the ball away from sources of heat such as heaters, fireplaces, etc.
Inflate the balls to a pressure you are happy with before usage.
Keep the balls in racks or storage trees when not in use.
3. Soft Medicine Ball
- Soft medicine balls are designed for basic strength training and are ideal for all exercises that require no bounce or slam. They are produced from a soft vinyl shell and soft fillings that reduce its ability to bounce. They are semi-bounceable balls and some can be used for slams.
- Soft medicine balls are soft on the fingers; this makes them ideal for catch and throwing exercise and also reduces the risk of injuries. They are filled with gel, air or dry sand mixture and their softness can be regulated by simply adding or letting out the air.
- Soft med balls are available in different sizes and weights and are often considered to offer more explosive energy than the other varieties.
Maintenance Tips
Avoid using any sharp object on the ball
Avoid slamming the ball hard into the ground (softballs are not meant for hard usage).
After working out, clean off the sweats and store in a cool and dry place.
Do you want a medicine ball that will provide you effective med ball drills without smashing your fingers? These soft medicine balls are your best bet!
4. Slam Medicine Ball
- As the name implies, slam balls otherwise known as dead balls are designed for slamming exercises. They are non-bouncing workout equipment with a tough rubber exterior filled with a mixture of sand and air and have approximately the size of a basketball.
- Slam balls are ideal for solo and partner exercises including passes, rotational abs, chest presses and CrossFits.
- Unlike other varieties of medicine balls, slam balls are designed to withstand a higher level of impact. This makes them more durable. Medicine balls are usually made of plastic, leather or rubber and sometimes come with a handle for an easier and better handling.
- Medicine balls offer weight increments as low as 1 or 2 pounds from 1 to 25 pounds then 5 pounds increments from 25 to 50 pounds or more. However, Slam balls have a lower variety of weights; it offers a 5-pound increment from 10 to 50 pounds.
5. Rope Medicine Ball
- Take your core workout training to another level with this functional workout equipment that combines a med ball with a rope handle. They have a synthetic rubber construction which allows them to bounce on impact.
- Rope medicine balls are also available in different weights mostly between 2lbs – 18lbs. They are ideal for swinging exercises and core rotational motions.
- Golfers can take advantage of these balls to enhance their explosive power to accelerate clubhead and obtain a great distance without effort! The rope attached to the ball makes it uncomfortable for use in the traditional sense.
- However, some modern rope balls now feature a detachable rope, allowing you to use the Tornado balls with or without the rope.
Maintenance Tips
Check the rope and make sure it is properly knotted before use. This will stop the ball from flying out while using the balls.
Avoid using harmful chemicals on these balls to avoid damaging the rubber shell.
Store in a proper place when not in use (leaving these balls outside in the cold won’t help its longevity).
If you want to work out in ways you never thought possible, stop the hesitation! And get yourself this amazing equipment! You will definitely be happy you did!
How To Choose The Best Medicine Ball?
To select the best medicine ball for your workout exercises in order to achieve your fitness goals, there are few things you need to put into consideration. This includes:
Purpose
- Why do you need a medicine ball? What is your ultimate fitness goal? Which medicine ball will provide the workout exercises needed to achieve your fitness goal? Will the ball be used for throws, rebounding or slams?These are questions you need to provide answers to as they will definitely help you in selecting either a standard or a specialty medicine ball with ropes or handles that suit you most.
Size and Weight
- These are one of the most decisive factors to consider when selecting a medicine ball. The resistance and difficulty of a med ball exercise are determined by the weight of the ball used.
- On the other hand, the size of the ball will determine how comfortable a med ball exercise will be.
Shell Thickness and Durability
- The thickness of the shell affects the softness, bounce and how resistant the ball will be. The thickness can also be used to decide how durable the ball will be. The durability should be considered since you would not be happy if you buy a med ball and it got damaged after a few days of usage.
Price and Warranty
- This is also a good thing to put into consideration. Some med ball comes with a good warranty while others don’t. Since you would pay to have this balls, you need to be sure that it is going to last. You also need to ask yourself how much you are willing to pay to get yourself this amazing piece of equipment.
Other factors to consider include type of medicine ball and how easy to hold the ball in place while working out.
FAQs
What is a medicine ball?
Medicine balls (otherwise known as med balls, fitness balls or exercise balls) are versatile weighted balls (from 1 – 50lbs) that are being used for rehabilitation, strength and sports training.
They are those basketball-sized leather or rubber balls you might have seen people toss back and forth at the gym.
Medicine balls are known as the simplest and most effective workout equipment for training explosive power, improving fitness, endurance, and rotational core strength.
Why is it called a medicine ball?
Is this ball a medicinal pill that can be swallowed to cure a particular ailment? Of course not! The history of medicine ball dates back to around 1000 B.C. when round bladders filled with sand were used by Persian soldiers as part of their resistance training. The term “medicine ball” was first used around the year 1876 by Robert Jenkins Roberts.
According to the article published in the Scientific American Supplement in March 1889, Prof. Robert coined the term “medicine ball” in reference to the fact that the ball “invigorates the body, promotes digestion, and restores and preserves one’s health” when used.
Med balls are intended for general body exercise and development and not for treating any particular part of the muscular system. The word “medicine” was used to indicate how practicing with the medicine ball can help provide a way of healing and preventing injuries and other ailments through general fitness.
What size of medicine ball should I use?
This depends on your body size, your strength level and the workout exercise you want to perform with the balls.
For instance, if you intend to train for speed, strengthen your softball pitch or you have a small hand and body frame, smaller diameter balls (4 – 6 inches) would be ideal for you.
On the other hand, if you intend to use a med ball to strengthen your overhead throws, or if you have larger hands and a bigger body structure, a larger diameter ball (such as 10 inches or more) may be ideal for you.
A basketball player should go for a basketball sized ball the same way a volleyball player should go for a volleyball-sized med ball.
Whichever size you select, be sure you select the size that will provide you a safe, comfortable and effective workout.
What weight of medicine ball should I use?
Most people tend to go for a heavier ball than required and this is very wrong! When it comes to selecting a medicine ball, you need to follow the general rule which says that “the ball must be heavy enough to visibly slow down your motion, but not so heavy that your control, accuracy, or ranges of motion are reduced.” If you lose control of the ball while working out, you may have to go for lighter balls as the one you used is too heavy for you. It is better to start off with lighter balls and progress to greater resistance.
As a general guideline, females can go for balls between the range of 10 lbs - 25 lbs, while males can go for balls between the 30 lbs – 50 lbs range, according to the level of their strengths. Children are advised to begin with 1-kg balls and adolescents to start with 2- or 3-kg balls so as to get accustomed to right form and techniques of each exercise.
When should I proceed to the next weight?
You will have to increase the weights as you become stronger and your movement becomes more efficient.
Follow the principle of progressive overload, this will ensure that the right movement techniques and form is not compromised.
Should I go for a rubber or leather medicine ball?
This depends on the kind of training or workout exercises you want to perform. Exercises that require bouncing the ball would be best carried out using a rubber medicine ball.
On the other hand, leather or nylon medicine ball may be preferred for exercises that require throwing and catching the ball.
What is inside a medicine ball?
Medicine balls are filled with many different materials. The materials inside a medicine ball depend on the ball type.
However, these materials affect the bounce-ability of the ball as they all serve the purpose of impact absorption.
Some medicine ball uses rubber fillings, some are filled with gel, some with air, and some are just filled with a mixture of air and dry sand or steel shots.
How to use a medicine ball?
Medicine ball drills require that you use your mind and control your body. Some med ball drills are easy while others are relatively difficult to perform. You can, however, use your medicine ball in the following basic ways which require your creativity to get yourself the med ball drills you deserve.
Throw it
You can toss the ball against the wall or into the ground (slams). Throwing exercises do require your creativity in other to make most out of it.
Catch it
You can toss-up the ball or throw it against a wall and catch it as it rebounds or returns to you. This basic type of medicine ball training can also be performed with a partner.
Lift it
This is the basis of most med ball drills like CrossFits, Rotational abs, Russian twists, Toe touch, Woodchops and so on. Simply lift the ball and workout as your creativity leads.
Balance on it
You can also use your medicine ball to improve your balance and stability. Balancing using a medicine ball can be achieved with med ball exercises such as med ball Pushups, Boat balance, Reverse planks, etc.
Roll on it
You can also roll on your medicine ball. This will not only warm you up but also release your tight muscles and increase your mobility.
Use it for exercise feedback
Medicine ball can be used to critically assess your workout progress and developments. Simply throwing the ball for distance will help determine your power level. It can also be used as a spotter, especially when performing squat exercises.
Click here to learn how to use the med ball to build core strengths and here to see some med ball workout examples for different fitness goals.
Conclusion
Do you need for an efficient but inexpensive workout equipment to spice up your training sessions and get your body the definition you have always wished for?
Are you looking to enjoy working out at home, gym or anywhere you find yourself at your own convenience and stay fit at all times?
If so, getting yourself the best medicine ball is your best bet. The ergonomic designs of these balls which promise a lot of fun, workout options, comfort, safety, and durability make it the best bang for the money!
Nancy Lang
