SDA15 Medicine Ball Workout (routine)

• A benefit of a routine is that its is done with the same set of exercises at every site around town. All should be on the same page in that only the number of reps is different.
• The medicine balls, also called med balls, are rubber basketballs that are filled with water and weight slightly more than 10-pounds.
• SDA15 = Summer Dreamers Academy 2015
• Do new and different exercises after the routine is completed. Don’t break the routine with other exercises and variations until after the routine is fully performed.
• Partner exercises with a med ball are not included in this routine.
• Perhaps another routine that includes partners should be documented.

To do the Routine:

The number of repetitions per exercise can vary. Generally, do one set of 20 reps. When learning the routine, feel free to do the entire set of exercises four times but only do five reps per exercise.

1. Squats with med balls under chin (exercise)

Start in a standing position. Hold the med ball with two hands under the chin. Squad downward. A good squat goes so low as to drop the hips below the knees. At the bottom of the squat the upper legs are slightly below horizontal.

Another way to visualize the depth of the squat is to think of a marble. If placed on the middle of the thigh (upper leg) at the bottom of the squat, it would roll back to the and not to the knee.

Bend at knees so top of leg gets slightly below horizontal. Keep feet flat. Feet can be apart with the toes pointed outward a bit.

2. Seated Russian twist (exercise)

Sit on floor. Knees up. Heels light or not on floor. Straight back. Twist med ball from side to side. Arms extension, slam and heels elevated are variations. See the figure exercise the face of the Digital Badges/Exercises/Routines or watch the how-to video.

3. Med ball dead lifts with toe raises (exercise)

Pick up med ball from the floor and lift the ball to the waist. Take a breath. Perform a calf raise that points the toes and lifts the heel off the floor. Optionally, do a shoulder shrug with the toe raise. Optionally for varsity athletes, do straight back dead lifts in an additional set.

4. Planks with one hand on ball (exercise)

Start with a plank in push-up position but one hand is on the ground, the other hand is in balance on the ball. One plank with X-seconds with right hand on ball then left hand on ball.

5. Clock lunges with med ball (exercise)

Start by standing tall with a med ball held at chest height. The ball can stay in this position throughout this exercise. Then the left foot step directly forward to 12-o’clock. The back foot (right foot) does not move. The right knee (the knee of the back foot) bends low to softly touch the floor. Then return to a standing position with both feet together. On the next repetition, step with the same lead foot but place it forward and slightly to the right, to 1-o’clock, to perform the lunge. On the third lunge, step to 2-o’clock. Do lunges 12 times, to every hour around the clock-face with the same foot stepping out each time but in different directions. Bend as low as possible with each lunge. It is not necessary to touch the knee to the ground in every position as in the lateral lunge positions (i.e., 3-o’clock and 9’o’clock) the knee touch to the floor is nearly impossible. After doing 12 lunges, one in each clock position, with the right foot staying put, switch feet and do the next 12-lunges with the left foot anchored in the middle of the clock and the right foot stepping out.

6. Push-ups with one hand on ball (exercise)

With one hand on the ball and the other hand on ground, do the number of repetitions, but for beginners you should try to strive at least 10 push-ups in a set Take a short break after the first set. Then switch the hands so other hand is on ball. Do a second set of push-ups.

7. Med ball bench press (exercise)

Lay on back. Move ball from chest to extension. Okay to toss and catch, if you can control the ball and not smash one’s face or interfere with others doing their routines.

8. Two handed, straight arm lifts while laying on back (exercise)

Move ball from pockets to over-head touch and back.

9. Med ball triceps extensions (exercise)

Standing, two hands extend ball over head. Then, bend elbows and lower ball to backwards to touch back of shoulders. Then lift ball straight up again to the over-head-starting position.

10. Med ball biceps curls (exercise)

Standing, curl ball in front of body so the ball touches the front of the top of the legs (at the pockets). Then bend the elbows with the biceps so that the ball lifts and touches the front of the shoulders under the chin.

11. Med ball sit-ups (exercise)

Lay flat on back with ball over head. Do a sit up and touch ball to toes. Lay flat again. Repeat for 15 times. If you can complete med ball sit-ups easily try 25 then 30 sit-ups