Medicine ball

Lifting a medicine ball while exercising
Doing a plank with a medicine ball
Man doing sit-ups with a medicine ball

A medicine ball (also known as an exercise ball, a med ball, or a fitness ball) is a weighted ball with a common diameter of approximately 350 mm (13.7 in), often used for rehabilitation and strength training. It is distinct from the inflated exercise ball, which is much lighter and larger which is up to 37 in (95 cm) in diameter.

Medicine balls are usually sold in weights between 1–11 kg (2–25 lb) and used in sports medicine to improve strength and neuromuscular coordination and in ballistic training to increase explosive power in athletes in all sports, e.g. throwing the medicine ball or jumping whilst holding it. Some medicine balls are up to 360 mm (14 in) in diameter and up to 6 kg (14 lb) weight, or in the form of weighted basketballs.

History

Aaron Molyneaux Hewlett, Director of the Harvard College Gymnasium c. 1860, with a medicine ball at his feet

Hippocrates is said to have stuffed animal skins for patients to toss for medicinal purposes. Similar large balls were said to have been used in Persia, specifically by Persian wrestlers, as well as by gladiators. The first known photograph of a stuffed leather workout ball in the United States was taken in 1866 and shows Harvard athletic instructor Aaron Molyneaux Hewlett surrounded by his equipment. The term "medicine ball" dates back to at least 1876, in American Gymnasia and Academic Record, by Robert Jenkins Roberts Jr.

Types

A slam ball with a textured black rubber exterior

The traditional general-purpose medicine ball is used for throwing and catching; typically smaller than a wall ball to allow a firm grip for more powerful or repetitive throws. Generally unsuitable for slamming against the ground as it risks injury due to its bounce and may be damaged quickly by repeated high-impact use.

Variants include:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Medicine ball". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  2. ↑ Davies, George; Riemann, Bryan L.; Manske, Robert (November 2015). "Current Concepts of Plyometric Exercise". International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 10 (6): 760–786. ISSN 2159-2896. PMC 4637913. PMID 26618058.
  3. ↑ Hartmann, Hagen; Wirth, Klaus; Keiner, Michael; Mickel, Christoph; Sander, Andre; Szilvas, Elena (October 2015). "Short-term Periodization Models: Effects on Strength and Speed-strength Performance". Sports Medicine. 45 (10). Auckland, N.Z.: 1373–1386. doi:10.1007/s40279-015-0355-2. ISSN 1179-2035. PMID 26133514. S2CID 26442001.
  4. 1 2 Internicola, Dorene (6 October 2014). "Medicine balls are ancient fitness tools that keep bouncing back". Reuters. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  5. ↑ Parrott, Matt (2018-09-10). "Medicine ball has history of improving movement". Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  6. 1 2 Fleming, David; Croner, Ken (2012-07-10). "The Ball That Just Won't Die". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2019-02-23.
  7. ↑ Warren, George Kendall (c. 1860). "A. Molyneaux Hewlett [photographic portrait], ca. 1860". HOLLIS Images | Harvard Library. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  8. 1 2 3 "Slam Balls, Medicine Balls & Wall Balls - Whats the difference?". SMAI. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  9. 1 2 3 Douglass, Ian (2022-04-19). "Which Balls Should I Play with in the Gym?". MEL Magazine. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  10. ↑ "How to Train with a Slam Ball | York Fitness | Training Articles". York Fitness. Retrieved 2026-08-10.