Here are some exercises that can help you get in shape using exercise balls!
It is technically winter time but that is no excuse to allow your abs to be covered with all that visceral fat, so put the cookies and milk down and read how to stay or get lean and ensure your abs are on point this year only using exercise balls…. And with it nearly being the holidays I don’t mean borballs.
So let’s look at different balls you can use to keep those abs on point, starting with one of my favorites:
The Slam Ball
Now the slam ball is sometimes referred to as the medicine ball but that is not correct, as the slam ball is significantly different as it is specifically designed for throwing exercises and can take the impact against hard surfaces and will not bounce back and hit you in the face.
Slam Ball Exercise 1
Standing overhead slam
- Feet shoulder width apart
- Hold the slam ball with both hands
- Extend the ball over your head
- Then slam it to the ground with full force
- Squat down to pick it up
- Repeat accordingly
Alternative version:
Oblique focused
- So rather than going straight on, lift the ball over your head but this time target the left and right side separately.
- So lift over the left hand side
- Slam down on that side
- Squat to pick up
- Then slam down on the right side
- And repeat accordingly
Slam Ball Exercise 2
Slam Ball reverse scoop toss
This move seems to have a variety of names but this seems to sum it up perfectly, this move can also be done with a wall ball.
- Feet shoulder width apart
- Holding the ball with both hands
- Then squat down and throw the ball over your head and behind you as far as you can
Variation:
Add a sprint
After each scoop sprint after the ball and reverse scoop toss in the direction you came from and continue doing so until you complete you desired reps.
The Wall Ball
Now the next piece of equipment I want to focus on is the wall ball, again the name is a dead giveaway, as it is usually used to hit walls with.
The wall ball is a lot bigger than the slam ball or medicine ball and is not designed for slamming but great for hitting against walls or throwing overhead.
Wall Ball Exercise 1
Wall ball rotational throws
- Standing a few feet away from a wall
- Hold the wall ball with both hands
- If the wall is to your right then take the ball towards your back hip (on the left hand side)
- Then while rotating your body throw the ball against the wall
- This should be an explosive movement
- Catch the ball
- The repeat for desired reps
- Repeat on opposite side and ensure you do same rep range
Wall Ball Exercise 2
Wall ball throws
- Standing close to a wall
- Hold the wall ball with both hands
- Ensure it is chest height
- Then squat down
- And drive up and throw the wall ball uo and slightly forward so it hits the wall
- Then catch the ball and descend into a squat and back into the next rep
- Repeat for desired reps accordingly
Wall Ball Exercise 3
Wall ball partner squat toss
- Standing opposite a partner about 5-6 yards away
- One of you will be holding the wall ball
- Then squat and toss the ball to your partner
- Your partner will catch the ball and then squat and toss back to you accordingly
- Keep repeating for desired rep range
This exercise can also be done with a medicine ball.
Make it harder:
Add intensity by mirroring your partner, so squat when your partner squats even when you do not have the ball.
Medicine Ball
So now let’s move onto the most commonly found ball in gyms up and down the country, it is of course the medicine ball.
Medicine Ball Exercise 1
Medicine ball stomach hits
So my first exercise is a real gut buster (pun intended).
- Start by lying down on the floor
- Have your training partner standing over you with the medicine ball in hand
- Have your partner throw the ball towards your abdomen
- Ensure you take the hit and try not to catch or block the ball
- Once it has hit its intended target area grab the ball and throw it back to your partner
- Then brace yourself again for the next hit
- Repeat for desired rep range
Alternative target area:
Oblique focus
- So if you want to only target the obliques only, have your partner stand much closer.
- They will literally be towering over you.
- They will be holding the ball constantly and not letting go at any point
- Brace your abs
- And ensure they hit the obliques with ‘mini’ hits on one side
- Once one side has been annihilated, move onto the other side
Medicine Ball Exercise 2
Medicine ball kneeling partner twists
- Make sure you are kneeling down
- And back to back with your partner who should also be kneeling down
- One of you should have a medicine ball to hand
- Both of your brace your cores
- Then slowly twist to one side and pass the ball to your partner (so your left will be there right and vice versa)
- To keep things symmetrical ensure to twist and pass in the opposite direction also, so if you have been passing to your left for 20 seconds, pass to your right for the same duration of time
Alternative:
This can also be done standing up.
So there you have it, some great exercises to get you in tip top shape during the holiday season. And if your gym doesn’t have any of the balls mentioned in this article then you better add it your holiday wish list.
So until next time, keep pumping!
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