3 BENEFITS OF MEDICINE BALL SLAM

3 BENEFITS OF MEDICINE BALL SLAM

1. Total Body Conditioning

The medicine ball slam typically starts from the floor; with a lifter performing a clean movement and transitioning the ball overhead. I typically will have athletes perform an explosive vertical jump into a violent yet controlled slam throughout fullest of ranges of motion. By increasing the distance the load is moved, the speed, and the force outputs per slam, a lifter will often exhaust high amounts of energy. When done repeatedly, either at maximal or submaximal outputs, this exercise can be a very functional movement to increase work capacity and move throughout a multi-directional range of motion

2. Multi-Directional Core Training

Ball slams can be done in a variety of angles; whether to the side, front, in an arcing pattern, and more. The ability to contract the hip flexors, abdominals, and obliques through a full range of motion can help to engage and promote explosive and controlled movements throughout the torso. This controlled contractions and force production throughout the core can increase power development and spinal stability while on motion, each vital to strength, power, and sport athletes during loaded and unloaded movements (cleans, snatches, squat, running, contact sports, etc).

3. Enhanced Athleticism

Athletic movement is fluid, forceful, controlled, and has the ability to transfer into a wide array of movement variants in an ever changing environment. The ability to react to stimuli both inside and outside the control of the athlete, engage with the surroundings, and manipulate objects and oneself specific to sport goal or function is at the root of most athletics. When performing medicine ball slams, a lifter must promote force, react to stimuli, and repeat in a fluid manner, much like what is needed throughout fitness and sport.