From rehab to fitness: The many uses of medicine balls

Medicine balls have been used in fitness for centuries, and for good reason: they’re versatile, easy to use and add resistance to a wide variety of exercises. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced athlete – or indeed going through rehabilitation – they can be an effective tool for building muscular endurance, strength, power, co-ordination and balance.

So, what exactly is a medicine ball?

Weighted balls that come in various sizes and weights, medicine balls are a great way to add resistance into gym programmes, circuit classes and personal training sessions.

Shop from our range and you’ll have the choice of standard medicine balls – no handles, but with a dual textured surface for improved grip – or double grip medicine balls, which feature a handle on each side. Our standard medicine balls range from 1–10kg and our double grip medicine balls from 3–10kg.

One of the biggest advantages of medicine balls is their versatility: they can be used in a wide range of exercises, from Russian twists to weighted lunges to squats-to-overhead press.

A double grip medicine ball is especially versatile. With two handles for a stable grip and extra control, you can safely do medicine ball exercises like rotational power drills and snatch-type exercises – exercises that require you to move between different grips on the ball.

Note, however, that in contrast to slam balls and wall balls, medicine balls are not suitable for slamming. Instead, they’re designed to be lifted, thrown and caught.

Nevertheless, medicine balls remain a highly versatile tool, suitable for all experience levels and all settings, from commercial gyms to home studios to outdoor workouts.

If you’re a beginner, simply find a comfortable weight for you, start with some simpler exercises and increase the weight as your fitness level improves. If you’re an advanced athlete, a full-body medicine ball workout can be a great way to mix up your training routine. Grab a ball and get ready to feel the burn!