Definition of a Medicine Ball

Definition of a Medicine Ball
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Medicine balls are basketball-shaped devices used for exercise routines. Medicine balls can help tone the stomach, arms and chest with a variety of workouts. Medicine balls are available in gyms, and they can be used for personal workouts or with partners.

Significance

Medicine balls are small, but they are dense and heavy. They are used as a part of resistance training. Medicine balls help tone muscles for people who do not have access to more expensive equipment.

Function

A medicine ball can function in several ways for a workout. It can be an addition to stomach crunches for abdominal strengthening, used between the legs for thigh toning and used with a partner for oblique exercises.

Effects

After a few weeks of resistance training with the medicine ball, you should notice improved muscle tone in the obliques, abdominal and thigh muscles.

Considerations

When training, it's important to get an overall workout and do some cardio training. Using the medicine ball should be in addition to workouts that also benefit the heart and other muscles.

Identification

The medicine ball looks like a basketball. The best way to identify it is by its weight. The medicine ball also has handles on the side of it for better grasping. The outer cover is rubber, so the hands don't slip when getting sweaty.

References

Article reviewed by Matt Olberding Last updated on: Nov 14, 2009

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