Medicine Ball and Slammer Ball Similarities and Differences Purchasing Guide

Comparing Types of Medicine Balls: Traditional, Slam, and Soft Cover

What Is a Medicine Ball?

Medicine Balls have been around for a long time and are a very popular training tool in the fitness industry. To put it simply, they are just exercise balls that are weighted and used for strength and resistance training. With their growing popularity over the years, there are now several styles available that have different uses and focus on more specific ways of exercise training. Often you will hear people mention a "medicine ball" but these days that can mean any variety of weight training balls. They come in different diameters and weights, and can be made out of rubber, vinyl or even leather. The internal composition can also vary from being filled with sand to rubber fillings. So how do you know which is the best ball to purchase for your workouts? Below we break down some of the different categories and differences to help guide you.

Traditional Medicine Balls

Traditional medicine balls can be found in many commercial gyms. They are available in different diameters and weights and are often color coded to help distinguish between sizes. Many are made from rubber materials and can have a little bounce back to them. There are even dual grip medicine balls which have handles to provide additional grip options during certain exercises.

There are a lot of different exercises that can be done with med balls such as core and strength training. Try and hold one while doing sit-ups to add extra resistance. Grab a ball while performing squats or lunges to add resistance. Or even toss the weighted ball to a partner for chest and shoulder workouts. They are an added tool to help take your training to another level.

One area of caution though with standard medicine balls - don't slam them unless the manufacturer specifically designs and approves the ball for that type of impact. Traditional medicine balls that are not intended for slamming can be damaged when repeatedly thrown or slammed with force against a hard surface.

Slam Balls

Slam balls, or "slammer" balls, are very similar to medicine balls but they are constructed for high-impact exercises such as slamming the ball against an appropriate training surface. Always follow the manufacturer's intended-use instructions regarding floor slams, wall throws and other high-impact exercises.

They are generally used to develop strength, power and conditioning. Throwing or slamming the ball over and over in constant repetition can also get your heart pumping. It may look silly to some but it can be a great conditioning workout.

D-Ball by Mondo has offered a large selection of slammer balls with different diameters and weights. You can start getting into more specific and targeted training based upon the size alone. Holding on to an extremely heavy 15" ball will require a different training approach versus a 9" lighter version. There are many exercise possibilities with this style of ball and the different diameters and weight options allow the user to select a ball according to the intended exercise and training goal. Slammer Balls do tend to cost a little more than a traditional ball because of the heavy duty structure, but depending on how you plan to train, the additional durability can make the investment worthwhile.

Soft Cover Medicine Balls

Soft cover weighted medicine balls separate themselves from the rest because of their soft and pliable cover. Their larger, softer construction can make them useful for exercises that involve catching and throwing the ball. Depending on the specific ball and its intended use, these heavy-duty exercise balls can be thrown back and forth with a workout buddy and used for exercises such as wall-ball training.

This style is very popular in functional fitness workouts. Soft shell balls can also be used in training drills that introduce or practice elements of different movement patterns. When using them for Olympic lifting drills or other technical movements, the appropriate exercise, ball weight and progression will depend on the lifter and the instruction being provided.

Choosing the Right Weighted Fitness Ball

Looking for more advice on the perfect weighted fitness ball to train with? Contact an IRON COMPANY representative for recommendations and pricing. (888) 758-7527 or [email protected].

About the Author: IRON COMPANY Editorial Team

The IRON COMPANY Editorial Team creates and maintains buyer-focused content for gym equipment, gym flooring, cardio equipment, strength training equipment, free weights, and related fitness facility solutions. Our content is developed to help residential, commercial, government, military, school, institutional, and facility buyers compare products, understand key specifications, avoid common buying mistakes, and make more informed purchasing decisions. When appropriate, content is reviewed against manufacturer information, product specifications, IRON COMPANY category knowledge, and current purchasing considerations before publication.