A Medicine Ball Workout Will Help You Get Flat Abs

A medicine ball should not be confused with an exercise ball. A medicine ball is a smaller ball which is weighted between 2 and 25 lb and is used predominantly for strength training. The use of medicine balls date back to around 3000 years ago and with so many different options for a medicine ball workout you are sure to find something to reach your goals.

Medicine ball workouts are wonderful to achieve flat and strong abdominal muscles. They are also used by boxers to simulate a punch coming from an opponent, by dropping the weighted ball onto the abdominal it strengthens them and makes them more resilient to taking hits.

Another way to use medicine balls to condition muscles and increase your core strength is to play catch. One athlete should hold the ball against their chest and throw it to the other athlete. When you catch the ball, pull it towards your chest and throw it back. This exercise will strengthen the arm, chest, and leg muscles.

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.

A great medicine ball exercise for your core muscles is the single leg chop. In this exercise you will stand on your left leg with your arms extended holding the ball in the air but to slightly to the right. The movement you will do will replicate you chopping wood, so you should bring the ball down in a sweeping motion towards your left foot. Then switch feet and repeat on the other side.

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.

One of the most popular medicine ball exercises is the Russian Twist. For this exercise, begin with your feet hip width apart, holding the medicine ball with both hands and your arms slightly bent. To perform the action, you will swing the ball from side to side, over your hips. To make sure you are using your abdominal muscles correctly, keep your stomach pulled in and the muscles engaged.

Every one knows that sit ups are the best way to target the abdominal muscles. To incorporate the medicine ball you could lie on the floor on your back with your knees bent and holding the ball in your hands, extend your arms behind your head. Lifting your chin and your chest towards the ceiling, contract your stomach muscles whilst raising your shoulders off the floor. At this point, extend your arms and raise one leg towards the ceiling. Lower both your arms and leg and repeat with the other leg.

If you need to target the muscles on the side of your stomach, your oblique muscles, lie on the floor and bend your knees. Lift your feet off the ground so tour legs form a ninety degree angle. Place the ball between your knees and slowly rotate your legs from side to side. Make sure that you keep your back flat and engage your stomach muscles. Do this exercise slowly to make sure you are doing it correctly.

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