About 3,000 years ago wrestlers would train with a bladder filled with sand. Hippocrates would sew skins together and fill them with sand for his patients to throw and catch as part of their rehabilitation. These days you can find medicine balls in nearly every gymnasium. They are a lot different today compared to those used in the days of Hippocrates and are now available in an assortment of sizes and weights.

Medicine balls are a good training aid and can help in the improvement of core strength, coordination and are great for increasing reactions. You will find medicine balls in almost every sports training facility as they fit comfortably in most training programs.

Previously you would find medicine balls were made of suede which would be stitched into segments. These were good and served their purpose as a training device but had the unfortunate habit of splitting and depositing their contents all over the gym. Modern balls are more often made of rubber and the contents are sealed into the unit. Firstly this ensures that the insides stay inside and secondly, as they are made of rubber, they are easier to grip and much easier to work with. Medicine balls are now available in a range of weights and sizes. It is even possible to purchase small light weight balls which are suitable for the elderly user or for those who suffer from conditions such as arthritis. This means that they are able to keep their joints supple and remain mobile. Such balls are also used in rehabilitation clinics for patients who are recovering from injury.

For those of you who are using the balls for training, you will find that they are available in a range of weights from around 2 lbs to as heavy as 25 lbs. Obviously these heavier ones are used for specialist training for strength athletes rather than those of you who are recovering from injury. Using medicine balls has become very popular recently and they are becoming increasingly easy to source. If you have access to the internet you should have no problem at all in finding a supplier who will be able to give you advice regarding the most suitable product and you should be able to find medicine balls available through mail order companies. Sports stores will also either carry of range of balls, or will be able to order one for you, should you not have internet access.

It seems that fitness training may have come a full circle when it comes to training equipment. Previously we have all spent many hours using a variety of complicated exercise machines to help us in our struggle for peak fitness. Now is seems that we find medicines balls are back in favour and there are many training programs that revolve around this basic piece of equipment.

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