A Medicine Ball Workout Can Give You Flat Abs

A medicine ball is used as a strength training tool. It is a ball which has weights built in to add extra resistance. These balls are available in weights starting at 2 pounds and ranging all the way up to 25 pounds. A medicine ball workout can kick start your training regime.

Medicine ball workouts are great for achieving flat abs and stomachs. There are various exercises which you can do to tone different muscles and strength your core.

Medicine balls don’t only work the abs but with the throw and catch exercise they can be used to strengthen the arms, chest and leg muscles. To play throw and catch you need a workout partner who you will throw the weighted ball back and forth. When throwing, make sure that you put in that explosive thrust and when catching, bend at the knees and perform a slight squat.

You need a little extra space when you are planning medicine ball workouts as most of them include some form of swinging or throwing. You also need to make sure that you focus on your technique as in order to achieve maximum results you need to do the exercises correctly.

Many medicine ball workouts use your body movements to target the different muscles. For instance the chopping motion is used quite often. By raising the ball above your head and bringing in down across your body towards your feet and back up you are engaging your muscles.

Using a similar motion you can incorporate the figure eight into your workout. Just as before, start with the ball over your head, bring it down in the chopping or sweeping motion towards the opposite foot. Brig it back up in front of your body to above your head but slightly to the side. Continue this motion across your body forming the shape of the number eight with the ball.

The Russian twist is an easier exercise which also targets the abdominal muscles. The essentials of this exercise is to hold the ball to your one side and whilst rotating your upper body move it in front of you and through to the other side.

If you enjoy the conventional sit ups but feel that you need to add a little something extra you can incorporate the medicine ball into these too. Lie on your back with your knees bent, stretch your hands out above your head and hold the ball tightly. As you raise your arms and lift the ball into the air, lift your chest. At the same time, raise one leg up to meet the ball in the air. Lower both the leg and arms and repeat, raising the opposite leg this time.

You can also use the medicine ball to work your oblique muscles. To do this, lie on your back with your legs held at 90 degrees. Place the back between your knees and slowly rotate your legs from side to side. Perform this one slowly to maintain control and remember to keep your abs engaged to protect your back.

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