Building muscles isn’t that difficult when you have the right tools. Instead of just filling up your body with protein, and exercising only with weights, you should also try exercising with slam balls. Thinking outside the box and turning to the use of this ‘small’ but mighty piece of gym equipment can help you build muscles in no time while helping you feel more powerful. Exercising with this ball is nothing like exercising with a gear that makes you go only up and down. This piece of equipment will help you move in all directions while moving every part of your body. In case new to these balls, getting to know them can help you understand their work and the benefits they could give you.
What is a Slam Ball?
A slam ball is a rubber-coated weighted ball the purpose of which is to help you define all muscles on your body. Although it looks similar to medicine balls, these balls have a thicker surface which makes them perfect for high-impact throwing exercises. The best of all is that these balls can be the perfect addition to both commercial and home gyms. Ranging in weight, you can easily choose to exercise with a ball that suits your needs and strength capabilities.
What Are the Benefits of Using This Ball?
Stronger Core
Given the fact that the core is located at the centre of your body, this means that it’ll be fully active when exercising with a slam ball. Whether doing squats or exercising in different positions with your hands and body, it’s your core that’s the most engaged area all the time. So, it goes without saying that slam balls are great in making your core stronger while helping you define those abs and obliques.
Improved Flexibility
When compared to some other gym equipment like dumbbells for instance which are designed only for moving in a specific pattern, these balls allow for more dynamic and flexible movements. This, on the other hand, engages all muscles of your body, helping you become more flexible over time. Along with the improved core, these balls can entirely improve your strength and movement, helping you deal better with any other type of equipment and exercises. But most importantly, in the long run, you’ll improve your balance and coordination which can be quite helpful in every aspect of your life.
Great for Warm-Ups
Before exercising, the first thing one should do is to warm up, and practice shows that warm-ups can be done and achieved easily with this ball. By warming up with it, you’ll be able to engage every part of your body starting from the chest and shoulders and ending to your hips, knees and overall leg muscles.
Easy Ways to Use a Slam Ball
Being available in different weights and sizes, it’s said that these balls can be used during different exercises. There are different ways to use these balls, out of which the following are among the most popular ways.
Bulgarian Split Squat
When using a slam ball during making this exercise, you’ll improve your balance and tone your legs and abs at the same time. In order to do it properly, you should stand with your feet together in front of the ball and push your right foot back while balancing your toes on top of the ball. By applying your weight to the left heel, you should lower your body into a lunge while bending the right knee forwards. Repeat the exercise as long as you can with both of your legs.
Bear Crawl
This exercise is designed to refine and work your shoulder muscles. Before doing anything, you should know that for this exercise, you’ll need a lot of space in order to move around. Now, in order to do this exercise, you’ll need to get into a bear crawl position with both arms and legs poised above the ground and start crawling forward while using one hand to push the ball as you crawl. Once you have reached the end of the room, you can turn around and repeat the procedure.
Burpee Slam
Burpee slam is the ideal exercise for speeding up your metabolism while helping you work out a great number of muscles in your body. In order to perform it, you should stand with your legs open wider than your shoulder width while holding the ball to your chest. By pushing your feet up by the toes, start lifting the ball above your head and then drop your hips down and touch the floor with the ball. Repeat this type of modified squat several times.Truth be told, there are many other exercises through which you can use this ball as well. In order to find the best types of exercise with slam ball, you’ll have to dig a bit more and find the type of exercise that’ll best meet your needs.
