Medicine Ball Exercises Develop Physical Fitness

Medicine ball exercises are a great way to develop physical fitness. Physical fitness consists of strength, endurance, and flexibility. The use of a medicine ball can improve all of these areas at once thus amounting to one of the best and most efficient methods for achieving physical fitness. This article will discuss the use of medicine ball exercises as part of a plan for achieving physical fitness.

Achieving physical fitness has many benefits. It will increase the amount of blood that the heart can pump, it will lower the resting heart rate, it will lower blood pressure, and it will reduce body fat. A person who is physically fit is also better able to manage stress, fight illness, and possesses better self-esteem. A good physical fitness plan can also help maintain a healthy weight along with strong muscles and good bone density. Simple activities can assist one in achieving physical fitness. One of these activities is performing medicine ball exercises.

A medicine ball consists of a weighted ball about the size of a basketball. I have seen medicine balls which range from a few pounds in weight to medicine balls which weigh twenty-five pounds. The old fashioned medicine balls were covered with a rough cloth which assisted with holding the ball. Modern medicine balls are covered with leather or vinyl. Some modern medicine balls have handles which assist in holding and thrusting the ball.

The classic way of using the medicine ball is with a partner and consists of holding the ball in front with two hands, bending the knees for power, and thrusting the ball forward by extending the arms. The ball is thrust at the partner’s chest who then catches it with the hands and then thrusts it back to the first person. An alternate way of thrusting the medicine ball is by bending the knees for power, holding the ball between the legs, and thrusting it upwards and forwards at the partner’s chest. The ball is always thrust with two hands and never thrown as throwing a medicine ball may result in injury to the shoulder and arm. A strong wall can substitute for a partner as the medicine ball can be thrust against this wall. .

Instead of using a partner, the ball can also be thrust forward and allowed to fall to the ground where picking it up amounts to an additional excellent exercise. If the ball is allowed to fall to the ground, then the surface should be soft such as a mat, sand, or grass.

To conclude, medicine ball exercises are a great way to develop physical fitness. The medicine ball is a classic form of exercise which is just as effective today as it was one-hundred years ago. It will develop explosive strength, endurance, and flexibility as it requires a complete and total body motion to execute a thrust. A medicine ball is also a lot of fun to use and gives one the feeling of a “throwback” workout. As always, please consult a physician before commencing any workout plan.