Which slam ball exercises are best?
Slam ball exercises are a terrific way to work your whole body. Often weighted with sand to reduce bounce and rolling, these rubber-coated balls are lifted and thrown in a gym or other controlled setting to engage the muscles. The core, arms and legs are all activated during most individual slam ball exercises. Here are some of the best exercises you can do to get fast results.
Best slam ball exercises
You can do each of these exercises for 10 reps each, three times through.
Overhead slams
With both hands, hold the ball straight above your head. Use your shoulders and slam the ball to the ground as hard as you can. Squat down to pick up the ball, lift it above your head again and repeat.
Burpee slam
Begin with your arms extended over your head, holding the ball. Slam the ball to the ground in front of you, squat down and put your hands on the ball. Jump out into a plank position, then jump back to a squat. Lift the ball over your head again and jump straight up into the air for one rep.
Bear crawl
Get on all fours, hands and knees parallel with the ball sitting between your hands. Lift both of your knees to hover above the ground. Keep your knees up, crawl forward, alternating your hands and feet. As you do this, bat the ball back and forth with your hands to keep it with you.
Lateral throws
Begin 3 to 5 feet from the wall. Stand perpendicular to the wall with your dominant hand closest to the wall and feet shoulder-length apart. Hold the ball with both hands and rotate away from the wall to wind up. Twisting your body, throw the ball as hard as you can against the wall. Repeat on the other side.
Squat throws
Face a wall with your feet shoulder-width apart and toes slightly out, and hold the ball to your chin. Keep your abdominals in and bend your knees to squat to your appropriate level. Rise out of the squat and thrust the ball forward.
Overhead lunges
Holding the ball with both hands above your head and your feet together, step one foot forward into a lunge. Then step your feet back together and switch legs, being sure not to bend the knee over the toes.
Chest press
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold the slam ball to your chest, thumbs-down and elbows out. Press the slamball forward, straightening your arms and repeat.
Woodchopper
Grip your slam ball with both hands and hold it overhead with your feet slightly more than hip distance apart. Rotating at the waist, bring the ball swiftly down to your right side. Repeat this move and switch sides.
Russian twist
Sit down on a mat with your feet flat on the ground and hold the ball above your knees. Leave your feet grounded or lift them to balance in a boat position. Twisting your body, touch the ball to the ground next to you on each side several times.
Slam ball situps
Lie back with your knees up and feet flat on the mat. Hold the ball with both hands over your head. Using your abdominals, sit up and press the ball forward above your feet. Mindfully lower your back to the ground and repeat.
Slam ball plank
Kneel with the ball in front of you. Place both hands on the ball and extend your legs out into a plank. Hold your abdominals and breathe while balancing for 60 seconds.
Slam ball isolated arm pushup
Get into the top of a pushup position with one arm on the ball and the other on the ground. Bend your elbows and lower your body, then press up. Repeat on both sides.
What you need to buy for slam ball exercises
Slam balls
A quality slam ball is easy to grip and doesn’t bounce when it hits the floor or a wall. This prevents injury when throwing it while exercising.
These training balls are durable, slammable and easy to hang onto. They range in weight from 6 to 40 pounds.
Sold by Amazon
This brand includes weighted balls from 10-40 pounds and has a great grip. It is filled with sand to reduce bouncing or rolling during slam workouts.
Sold by Amazon
Workout mat
Providing your own mat at home, at the gym or in a class ensures that you have the right one for you. Workout mats have different thicknesses, textures and designs to suit many needs.
Gorilla Mats Premium Extra-Large Exercise Mat
These mats are durable, nonslip and eco-friendly. The mat is made from nontoxic materials and includes straps, a towel and a bag.
Sold by Amazon
Gym shorts
Shorts can make a workout more comfortable for men and women than full-length pants. Many gym shorts are sweat-wicking and breathable.
Under Armour Men’s Tech Graphic Shorts
These shorts are made to be soft and quick-drying. They have an elastic waistband, and a drawstring and usually fit true to size.
Sold by Amazon
Under Armour Women’s Play Up Shorts
These include a drawstring and a stretch waistband and come in four color options. They are made with quick-dry, sweat-resistant, machine-washable material.
Sold by Amazon
Running shoes
Form and stability can shape your workout. For this reason, having proper shoes for the gym is essential. Running or walking shoes are ideal for the gym because they have the traction and flexibility needed for training.
This pair of men’s running shoes come in several different styles. They have a rubber sole for grip and mesh for breathability.
Sold by Amazon
Women’s Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21
These are supportive and comfortable running shoes for women in several styles. They are breathable, durable and flexible for foot movement.
Sold by Amazon
Water bottle
Carry a water bottle to the gym to stay hydrated throughout your workout. Most gyms also offer free water to refill your container if needed.
This iron flask is durable and portable enough for any sport. It is vacuum-insulated stainless steel, creating a leakproof metal liquid container.
Sold by Amazon
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Erica Redding writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.