The Best Medicine Balls, According to a Personal Trainer

Best Overall

CAP Barbell Medicine Ball

View On Amazon $35 View On Walmart $35

We chose this easy-to-grip medicine ball as our top pick because it comes in six weights (and colors), progressing incrementally from 2 to 12 pounds. This pick stands out for three main reasons: its tacky, textured surface, the durable rubber shell, and the all-around ease of use of this training tool. Newbies and exercise aficionados alike can definitely put this medicine ball to good use.

^{Key Specs:
Size: 9 x 9 x 9 inches | Material: Rubber | Weight: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 pound options}

Best Budget

Yes4All Soft Weighted Medicine Ball

View On Amazon $12 View On Walmart $23 View On Sears.com $36

This ball, which can be lifted using a single hand, offers the option to choose from various colors, tread patterns, and weights, ranging from 2 pounds up to 10 (they also come in sets). It’s filled with loose sand and has a softer exterior—the combo makes for added resistance and improves balance and coordination, especially when paired with a balance board.

A handy bonus: the small size works well as you can hold it in one hand, squeeze it between your legs or toss it in a gym bag. Plus you have 60 days to return it—so buy it, try it, and if you don’t like it send it back.

^{Key Specs:
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 6 inches | Material: PVC | Weight: 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10-pound options available}

Best Bounceable

SPRI Medicine Rubber Ball

View On Walmart $28 View On Getactv.com

If you want a true medicine ball, then you want to make sure you get one that bounces. (Remember: slam balls don’t bounce). This way when you throw it against a wall or at the ground it actually rebounds. And when you catch it—or are simply using it to increase your resistance during exercises like squats, overhead presses, or v-ups—the dimpled exterior will help solidify your grip.

Available in three weights, you can size up as you grow stronger.

^{Key Specs:
Size: 9 x 9 x 8 inches | Material: Rubber | Weight: 8-, 10-, and 12-pound options available}

Best With Handles

CanDo Dual Handle Medicine Ball

View On Amazon $80 View On Walmart $73 View On QVC $83

If your palms are constantly sweating, you may want to consider this style of medicine ball.  The handles offer greater grip, making it less likely to slip out of your hands, which also makes this option a great stand-in for a kettlebell.

Plus, its handles make it much easier to use compared to other medicine balls, especially for core-targetting exercises like Russian twists.

There are multiple color options, but they all correspond with specific weights, so you’re better off choosing based on weight: the medicine balls come in 6-, 12-, 18-, 24-, and 30-pound options.

^{Key Specs:
Dimension: 9 x 9 inches | Material: Rubber band | Weight: 6-, 12-, 18-, 24-, and 30-pound options available}

Best for Beginners

Amazon Basics Medicine Ball

View On Amazon $30

Ever carry a gallon jug of milk or water or juice? This no-frills, basic ball is roughly the same size and less than two pounds heavier—which means hauling or throwing it is totally within your fitness reach, even if you're new to resistance training.

The colorful rubber exterior gives this ball just enough bounce. What’s more: You’ll be able to easily catch and, more importantly, hang on to this ball because of its grippy, dimpled covering. 

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 9.2 x 9.2 x 9.3 inches | Material: Rubber | Weight: 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, and 20-pound options available}

Best Leather

Modest Vintage Player Retro Heritage Brown Leather Medicine Ball

View On Modestvintageplayer.com

This med ball, which is almost too pretty to use, invokes 1930s/1940s vintage vibes. Don’t let the retro look fool you, though, it’s still a super durable option that was built to last.

Hand-crafted from genuine cow leather, you’ll find this weighty orb in 4-, 8-, 12-, 16-, and 20-pound options. Choose from the rugged brown hue or the always sleek black. Then throw your ball in the air—or at the ground, or just hold it.

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 6.7- to 10.2- inch diameter, depending on the size you choose | Material: Leather | Weight: Available in 4-, 8-, 12-, 16-, and  20-pound options available}

Best Heavy

Day 1 Fitness Weighted Slam Ball

View On Amazon

If you’ve outgrown your current weight situation, this sphere may be a welcome change and an upgrade. Boasting a sand-filled core surrounded by an extra-thick outer shell, this is a true dead-weight ball. Translation: This ball doesn’t bounce, making it perfect for slams (yep, it’s a slam ball), which are a total-body exercise that helps build power, strength, and speed, putting you at an advantage when doing other workouts, like using a rowing machine.

At 50 pounds, it’s really heavy, so good form and the incremental build-up to the use of this slam ball is key.

^{Key Specs:
Size: 9-inch to 10-inch diameter, depending on size | Material: Plastic | Weight: 10- to 50-pound options available}

Best for Slamming

TRX Training Slam Ball

View On Amazon View On Trxtraining.com

The tire-like tread makes it easier to keep your hands on this bounce-free ball as you slam it into the ground, while the sturdy rubber shell absorbs the impact. And it’s filled with sand, so you may notice a bit of movement in the ball.

Having to control the repositioned center of gravity that shifting sand creates—even if just a little— will make you work a wee bit harder, upping your overall strength and stability skills. For even more challenging exercises, try using it with a vibration plate.

^{Key Specs:
Size: 10.4 x 9.8 x 9.5 inches (when packaged) | Material: Rubber | Weight: 6-, 8-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25-, 30-, 40-, and 50-pound options available}

Best for Grip

Yes4All Slam Ball

View On Amazon $48 View On Walmart $33

This sand-stuffed ball comes in four different tread patterns (and five colors) to help you personalize your grip. Our fave: the one with the strategically-placed large triangles with deep grooves on the dynamic black hue. This pattern ensures that the sweat from your hands can just slither on through those slits instead of building up, keeping your clasp intact.

This soft, elastic PVC shell has a bit of give to it, so it can withstand the extreme pressure and force of repeatedly being thrown at the ground.

^{Key Specs:
Size: 9.6- to 11.8-inch diameter, depending on the size you select | Material: PVC | Weight: 10-, 15-, 20-, 25-, 30-, and 40-pound options available}