Medicine Balls are my jam.
For real. I love medicine balls and I wish that our tiny basement could house every possible weight option I could ever dream of wanting. That, unfortunately, is not the case though so I settle for having one at home and then take advantage of my OrangeTheory studio having tons more! My favorite thing about working out with medicine balls is the ability to use them for literally everything. Arm workouts? Yep. A leg series? Absolutely. Ab work? You bet. I also find them easier to use {for some moves} than regular free weights because I’m able to get a better grip in most cases. I have this particular medicine ball and highly prefer it to the ones you typically see in a gym, like these, because of the latex shell, fingertip grips, and the fact it’s filled with sand. Totally a personal preference thing, though!
So besides their aesthetic, why else do I love training with medicine balls? Valid question and more than likely the real reason you are still reading this post 😉 I can get long-winded, sue me. Anyway, There are three main reasons that I love incorporating medicine balls into my workout routines and these three reasons are likely to resonate with almost everyone, regardless of their current fitness level. Those three magical reasons are its versatility, its effectiveness, and the ability to travel anywhere & everywhere with it.
Versatility
The same way I love certain pieces of clothing for their versatility, I also love specific workouts & workout equipment for their versatility. As I mentioned above, you can use medicine balls for just about every kind of fitness move. This Shape.com workout includes 9 moves that target everything from your core to arms and incorporates static moves with cardio-centered moves {yes, talking about your favorite…burpees!}. All of the moves can be done with one piece of equipment – the medicine ball. No need to swap out various sized free weights, bands, etc. just use one ball for every move and you’ve got yourself a full body workout. Knowing that I can get a solid strength and/or cardio circuit in with one of these just solidifies the purchase in my mind!
Effectiveness
Why would you use something if it wasn’t effective? Despite this reason being kind of a no-brainer, I mention it because it really is true. Medicine balls are effective because they increase strength, stability, and range of motion if you use them properly and consistently. For the 1000th time, I am not a trained professional, but I can attest to working out with a medicine ball on a regular basis HAS indeed improved my strength {combined with a wide variety of other reasons, obviously}. I like to see real results fast so I usually go for a heavier weight and lower reps, however I prefer sticking with an 8lb. medicine ball when I’m doing an entire workout that incorporates them. That particular weight is what I find most effective for me and it’s a weight that I can manage throughout a full workout without compromising form.
Travel-Friendly
I don’t know about you but most of the time when I travel, my workout routine suffers. I love trying new boutique classes next to hotels we stay in or I will use the on-site gym on occasion, but often times it seems easier to just skip out all together. BAD IDEA. At least in my case. I feel crappy when I don’t get a sweat session in, even a short one, so that is where a medicine ball can be gold. They don’t take up much space, and so long as you’re driving, it really doesn’t matter that they add a few extra pounds to your luggage. Bringing one with you leaves you with zero ability to NOT workout. Put together a simple circuit of Russian Twists, Cross Chops, Weighted Squats, Lunge & Press, and V-ups and you’re good-to-go and require hardly any space to compete!
There you have it. Three reasons why if you don’t have a medicine ball, you should go out and buy one right now. You may be sore after using one but I swear you’ll thank me! 🙂
Shop the Look:
Tank / Leggings / Yoga Mat / Medicine Ball
I love this post!! I am currently working on my first fitness post. It is such a big part of my life I can’t help but share. You posts are so informative and your pictures always look amazing! I would love to have you as a guest post in the upcoming weeks!! Xo, Roselyn
You’re so sweet! I can’t wait to see what you come up with for your first fitness post!!! 🙂 I would LOVE to do some sort of guest post or collaboration with you–just shoot me an email or send me a DM on Insta! <3 xox
I love using medicine balls too!! Great post! ~Anna http://www.pepperedinstyle.com
Thanks, girl!!! 🙂
I love using these at the gym. I recently left LA because I wanted to start woking out at home. I really need to buy one
Kat | Delirium Style
Definitely worth the investment! I love that working out at home, too!!
Can we talk about how perfect your pedicure is? Love it! And thanks for the work out inspo, lord knows I need to work on my core 🙂
Ahhh, glad you noticed! Just had them done yesterday! Hoping the white will make it feel more Spring-y here! I’m right there with you on more core work 😉
Yes! I love medicine balls for abs- seriously so effective! And I love your pants 🙂
Thanks love!!! 🙂
Yesss, these are all things I need to work on, especially abs! Love this post and especially love the white nail polish.
xx, Lo
http://www.rosesandrainboots.com
You do the best workout posts! I love this. Also your white toes are the bomb! Hugs, Kait
http://makeminemaroon.com
Look at you, hottie!!! I need to get one of these. It would be perfect to add to workouts.
Xo,
Angelle
http://www.dashinhdarlin.com
Medicine balls seriously are the best!! Loved this post! I haven’t tried one like this so I might need to invest in this one. Thanks, Kristin!
Love your workout Wednesday posts, girl! I love using a medicine ball for core work, but honestly never thought to incorporate it into lower/upper body! You so smart! Thanks for the ideas 🙂
xoxo, Jenna
Boston Chic Party
Work it girl! I love medicine balls because they are way less intimidating than weights. You can also come up with really creative workouts like you have done right above!
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The medicine ball—- the AB KILLER!!! LOL…. love hate relationship! SO effective! Great pedicure babe!! xo