The medicine ball dates back to ancient Greece, where the physician Hippocrates had them sewn out of animal skins and stuffed with sand. He told patients to gently lob them back and forth as a method of preventing and recovering from certain injuries. Their association with physical therapy gave them their name.
Today you can find the heavy balls in gyms across the world.
The balls are made in a variety of sizes, from softball to basketball-sized, and can be ordered in weights from two to 35 pounds. The cost ranges from $20 to full sets for up to $300.
The advantage of using a medicine ball is that it encourages strength and explosive power, as well as lateral (side-to-side) movement.
The simplicity of the ball attracts users. No adjustments are needed. Just move with the ball — or throw it to the ground!
Try the medicine ball with lunges, jumps, and squats.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
