In recent years, the humble medicine ball has made a comeback. A new generation of trainers and athletes are turning to medicine ball training because it is more specific to their chosen athletic activity than conventional weight training.
It is thus popular among basketball and baseball trainers, with baseball teams at all levels of competition now using medicine balls as a part of their training programmes.
Medicine balls come in a whole variety of styles and sizes - you can even get pink ones if you want! The main differences are:
Bouncing and non-bouncing varieties: With bouncing balls you can throw them against a wall or the ground. However, many users prefer the non-bounce variety, because they are softer on the hands to catch, and don't roll away when they land. In addition, wall bounce exercises require more explosive power to get a good rebound.
Materials: Rubber balls retain their shape better than leather, and are less prone to scuffing. They also have no seams to tear.
Size: The critical factor is weight. Your choice will depend on your age, gender, size, and intended purpose. For a woman or younger person, 6 lbs would be a good all round choice. For a man, 10 lbs would provide a good all round workout.
