There are dozens of companies with medicine balls on the market right now: Valeo, Spri, Everlast, GoFit, Nike, etc. How do you choose the ones that are right for you? There are a few things you should consider when purchasing a medicine ball.
1. Durability – You want it to last. If you have to purchase a new one every couple months, what good is it? So do a little research and see what people are saying.
2. Cost – Why pay more for a medicine ball when you don’t have to? There are companies that charge more just because of their name. I’m a fan of getting the biggest bang for my buck especially when it comes to my equipment and I don’t want to empty my wallet to do so.
3. Bounce or No Bounce – There are basically two types of medicine balls, those that bounce and those that don’t. Your workouts will determine what type of ball you’ll need.
4. Types of Medicine Balls – You might think besides bouncing or not bouncing all medicine balls are the same. Not true. There are medicine balls that have a rubber surface, smooth gripping, leather on the outside, sand inside, inflatable, one handle, two handles and rope handles just to name a few. So pick the ball that’s right for you.
5. Weight – Medicine balls can range anywhere from 2 to 30 plus pounds. You’ll want to try a couple weights out to see which feels the most comfortable for each of your exercises.
Now that you’ve determined the type of Medicine Ball you’ll need it’s time to go shopping. Here’s a couple balls that I recommend and why.
Valeo – I use my Valeo Medicine Balls everyday. Slamming them on concrete, throwing them on the grass and in the mud, rain or shine. Valeo puts out a product that takes a beating. They have a hard external rubber that’s easy for gripping and are inflatable so can adjust firmness and bounce. When it comes to cost they are definitely some of the most reasonable on the market ranging from $20 to $30 and maybe less if you find them on sale in some places.
Spri – Definitely at the top of the market when it comes to medicine balls. You’ll find Spri in pretty much every gym you go to. Their product is durable and they have virtually every selection to choose from. Just like Valeo you can inflate to desired firmness and bounce. My only problem with Spri is the cost, ranging from $25 to $60+. They are very hard to almost impossible to find on sale.
Everlast – One of the oldest brands on the market and there’s a reason for that. Everlast puts out a product that lasts. This type of medicine ball is wrapped in leather and does not bounce. They are great for passing and catching because they don’t have a hard rubber exterior. Everlast does make a rubber medicine ball, but it’s hardly worth mentioning in comparison to it’s earlier version. The cost is anywhere from $40 to $60 depending on where buy it.
These are just three of my favorite Medicine Balls to choose from. If you use any that you think are worth mentioning, please let me know I’ll take a look and possibly add it to my list.
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