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Submitted by Melissa Vidito on
Medicine Ball exercises bridge the gap between conventional strength and endurance exercises. These exercises teach the summation of force from the ground through the legs, through the core, and out through the arms. Medicine Balls come in a variety of weights and designs. This versatile piece of equipment can be used for all fitness levels to add variety to workouts. Medicine balls challenge the core, increase hand eye coordination, and when used in a group exercise class can be a lot of fun!
The medicine ball takes many standard core exercises up a notch in a comfortable and functional way. Because holding a ball is a bit more natural than holding a barbell or dumbbells using it in a core series increases intensity. Try adding a medicine ball to a Pilates Roll Up, Russian twist, or Standard Plank to powerfully engage the stabilizer muscles of the core.
Hand eye coordination is valuable for clients of all levels: athletes to active, aging adults. Incorporating a medicine ball into a training session or group circuit training class can improve hand-eye skill. Gently tossing the ball against a wall, suicide drills to grab the ball of the ground, or passing the ball between trainer and client improves reaction rate and motor skills.
Who likes to have fun? Everyone. It is part of the instructor and trainers job to make exercise seem like fun. If the client is having fun, the workout is bearable. If group class is fun, the room is full week after week. Incorporating medicine ball work for both clients and classes is absolutely fun. When adding the ball, start with a light ball and increase its weight as the client becomes more familiar. Classes get a kick out of medicine ball drills, from squat & reach to chest passes, the medicine ball is often one small change that makes a big difference.
In Good Health,
MV