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Best Advanced Workouts With Medicine Balls To Get Lean And Burn Fat

About

Medicine balls are robust, weighted spheres that serve as versatile tools for resistance training while allowing dynamic movements like throws or slams without environmental damage.

These exercises are designed to maintain cardiovascular activity and caloric consumption, supporting the development of a lean physique while preserving muscle mass.

They incorporate advanced techniques, suitable for individuals with over four years of experience, focusing on intricate movements and lifting combinations, adapting weight and repetitions based on capability and goals.

The 15 Best Advanced Exercises with Medicine Balls to Get Lean and Burn Fat

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Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Alternating Medicine Ball Push Up

    Alternating Medicine Ball Push Up demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    518,478
    Chest Strength
    55 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Alternating Medicine Ball Push Up is a challenging push-up variation that targets the chest, shoulders, and triceps. Using a medicine ball helps improve balance and strength on both sides of the body.

    How to do it

    1. Place your right hand on a medicine ball and keep your arms shoulder-width apart.
    2. Raise your knees to form a straight line from your heels to your shoulders.
    3. Bend your elbows to lower your chest towards the floor, keeping your elbows at 45 degrees.
    4. Push back up and roll the ball to your left hand.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of reps.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 2. Medicine Ball Single Leg Romanian Deadlift

    Medicine Ball Single Leg Romanian Deadlift demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    124,479
    Hamstrings Strength
    65 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Medicine Ball Single Leg Romanian Deadlift helps improve your balance and strength by using a medicine ball for added resistance. It mainly targets the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back, making it a great exercise for overall lower body fitness.

    How to do it

    1. Stand on one leg with a slight bend in your knee, holding a medicine ball in both hands.
    2. Hinge at your hips, lowering the medicine ball while allowing your other leg to extend behind you.
    3. Pause when you feel a stretch in your hamstrings, then use your glutes and hamstrings to return to standing, raising the medicine ball back up.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    15lbs
    2
    8reps
    15lbs
    3
    8reps
    15lbs
  • 3. Medicine Ball Hip Thrusts

    Medicine Ball Hip Thrusts demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    124,230
    Glutes Strength
    94 mScore
    Glutes
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    Medicine Ball Hip Thrusts are an advanced version of the standard hip thrust, using a medicine ball for added resistance. This exercise targets your glutes and hamstrings, making it a great way to strengthen your lower body.

    How to do it

    1. Lie on your back with your heels about 6 inches from your glutes.
    2. Hold a medicine ball against your hips with both hands.
    3. Push through your heels to lift your hips up until they are in line with your knees and shoulders.
    4. Hold for a moment at the top.
    5. Lower your hips back down slowly while keeping your glutes and hamstrings engaged.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 4. Medicine Ball Glute Bridge

    Medicine Ball Glute Bridge demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
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    83,377
    Glutes Strength
    82 mScore
    Glutes
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Medicine Ball Glute Bridge is a modified version of the glute bridge that uses a medicine ball either on your hips or under your feet. It strengthens your glutes, hamstrings, and core while improving balance and stability.

    How to do it

    1. Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, about 6 inches from your glutes.
    2. Hold a medicine ball with both hands and place it on your hips.
    3. Push through your heels to lift your hips until your body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees.
    4. Hold this position and keep your hips aligned with your shoulders and knees.
    5. Make sure to engage your glutes and hamstrings; avoid straining your lower back.
  • 5. Medicine Ball Leg Crunch

    Medicine Ball Leg Crunch demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    53,142
    Abs Strength
    90 mScore
    Abs
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Medicine Ball Leg Crunch is a great exercise to strengthen your abdominal muscles. You lie on your back, hold a medicine ball between your feet, and lift your upper body toward your legs while keeping the ball squeezed.

    How to do it

    1. Lie on your back on the floor with a medicine ball between your feet.
    2. Lift your legs so your knees are bent at 90 degrees and your heels are off the ground.
    3. Crunch your upper body toward your legs while squeezing the medicine ball with your feet.
    4. Pause briefly at the top, keeping your core tight.
    5. Lower your shoulder blades back to the ground while maintaining tension in your core.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    15lbs
    2
    8reps
    15lbs
    3
    8reps
    15lbs
  • 6. Medicine Ball Russian Twist

    Medicine Ball Russian Twist demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    321,445
    Abs Strength
    93 mScore
    Abs
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Medicine Ball Russian Twist is a core exercise using a medicine ball to increase resistance. This variation challenges your stability and strength while twisting side to side, engaging your core effectively.

    How to do it

    1. Sit on the floor and hold a medicine ball with both hands at your chest.
    2. Lean back slightly and lift your heels off the ground a few inches.
    3. Engage your core to stay stable.
    4. Twist to one side, bringing the ball toward your hip.
    5. Return to the center and then twist to the other side.
    6. Repeat the movement, alternating sides.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    12.5lbs
  • 7. Medicine Ball Push Up

    Medicine Ball Push Up demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    180,204
    Chest Strength
    25 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Medicine Ball Push Up is a challenging twist on a standard push-up that uses a medicine ball to engage your chest, shoulders, and core more effectively. It helps improve your balance and coordination while increasing the difficulty of your push-up routine.

    How to do it

    1. Start in a push-up position with your hands on a medicine ball.
    2. Keep your body straight as you bend your elbows to lower your chest to the ball, keeping your elbows at a 45-degree angle.
    3. Push back up to the starting position after your chest lightly touches the ball. Repeat for the desired number of reps.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 8. Medicine Ball Side Lunge

    Medicine Ball Side Lunge demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    24,036
    Quadriceps Strength
    96 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Medicine Ball Side Lunge is a powerful variation that uses a medicine ball to boost resistance and enhance balance. It works your thighs, glutes, and core, while also targeting your side muscles as you lunge sideways, providing a full lower body workout.

    How to do it

    1. Hold a medicine ball with both hands and stand with feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
    2. Step to the side with one leg and bend that knee to lunge, keeping the opposite leg straight.
    3. Pause briefly at the bottom, engaging your core for stability.
    4. Push through your foot and return to a standing position, bringing your legs together.
    5. Keep your chest up, shoulders back, and core tight throughout the movement.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    15lbs
    2
    8reps
    15lbs
    3
    8reps
    15lbs
  • 9. Medicine Ball Lunge

    Medicine Ball Lunge demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    33,900
    Quadriceps Strength
    97 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Medicine Ball Lunge is an exercise that adds resistance to lunges, which helps improve balance and strengthen the legs and core. It makes your lower body workout more challenging and enhances stability and coordination.

    How to do it

    1. Hold the medicine ball with both hands.
    2. Step forward with one leg and lower the opposite knee toward the floor.
    3. Pause briefly at the bottom.
    4. Push through your front heel to return to a standing position.
    5. Switch legs and repeat.
    6. Keep your knees behind your toes, shoulders back, chest up, and core tight throughout.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    15lbs
    2
    8reps
    15lbs
    3
    8reps
    15lbs
  • 10. Medicine Ball Overhead Lunge

    Medicine Ball Overhead Lunge demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    19,210
    Quadriceps Strength
    78 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Medicine Ball Overhead Lunge is a lower body exercise that also works your core. You hold a medicine ball above your head while stepping forward into a lunge, then switch legs to complete your set.

    How to do it

    1. Hold a medicine ball above your head with both hands.
    2. Engage your core to protect your lower back.
    3. Step forward with one leg, lowering your opposite knee toward the floor—keep your forward knee behind your toes.
    4. Pause briefly at the bottom of the lunge.
    5. Push off your front heel to return to standing.
    6. Maintain a straight back and upright posture throughout the exercise.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    12.5lbs
  • 11. Medicine Ball Romanian Deadlift

    Medicine Ball Romanian Deadlift demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    99,646
    Hamstrings Strength
    88 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Medicine Ball Romanian Deadlift strengthens your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back while improving stability and posture. This exercise is great for building lower body power and is suitable for beginners.

    How to do it

    1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
    2. Hold a medicine ball in both hands in front of your hips.
    3. Hinge at your hips to push your butt back and lower the ball towards the floor, keeping a slight bend in your knees.
    4. Stop when you feel a gentle stretch in your hamstrings and hold for a moment.
    5. Use your glutes and hamstrings to push your hips forward and return to starting position.
    6. Keep your core engaged, shoulders back, and chest up throughout the exercise.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 12. Forward Lunge with Twist

    Forward Lunge with Twist demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    214,448
    Glutes Strength
    85 mScore
    Glutes
    Photo of Stability (Swiss) Ball
    Stability (Swiss) Ball
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Forward Lunge with Twist is a variation of the lunge that strengthens your quads, glutes, and hamstrings while adding core stability. By holding a medicine ball and twisting, you enhance the effectiveness of the standard lunge for a better workout.

    How to do it

    1. Stand straight with feet hip width apart and hold a medicine ball in front of your stomach with bent elbows.
    2. Step forward with one leg and lower your body until both knees form 90-degree angles.
    3. Twist your torso towards the forward leg while keeping the medicine ball in front.
    4. Rotate back to the center while maintaining the lunge position.
    5. Push off the front foot to return to standing and repeat on the other side.
  • 13. Balance Trainer Overhead Weighted Crunch

    Balance Trainer Overhead Weighted Crunch demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    30,104
    Abs Strength
    89 mScore
    Abs
    Photo of BOSU® Balance Trainer
    BOSU® Balance Trainer
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Balance Trainer Overhead Weighted Crunch is a core exercise performed on a BOSU Balance Trainer using a medicine ball for added resistance. This exercise targets the abdominal muscles while also improving grip strength and core stability due to the instability of the dome.

    How to do it

    1. Sit cross-legged on the front slope of the BOSU Balance Trainer.
    2. Hold a medicine ball with both hands above your head.
    3. Lean back slightly to a supine position while keeping the weight lifted.
    4. Crunch up to return to a seated position, keeping your core tight.
    5. Avoid arching your lower back throughout the movement.
  • 14. Decline Sit Up with Medicine Ball Toss

    Decline Sit Up with Medicine Ball Toss demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    14,494
    Abs Strength
    87 mScore
    Abs
    Photo of Decline Bench
    Decline Bench
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Decline Sit Up with Medicine Ball Toss is a challenging core exercise done on a decline bench. It works your abdominal muscles and improves coordination by adding a toss to the sit-up movement.

    How to do it

    1. Set the decline bench to your preferred angle and secure your lower body.
    2. Hold a medicine ball with both hands.
    3. Engage your core and sit up, lifting your torso off the bench.
    4. At the top, toss the ball straight up above you.
    5. Wait for the ball to come down while keeping your core tight.
    6. Catch the ball as it descends and lower your torso back to starting position.
    7. Ensure your shoulders are back and chest is up throughout the exercise.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    15lbs
    2
    8reps
    15lbs
    3
    8reps
    15lbs
  • 15. Medicine Ball Superman

    Medicine Ball Superman demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    190,755
    Lower Back Strength
    89 mScore
    Lower Back
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Medicine Ball Superman is an exercise that strengthens your back, glutes, and hamstrings using a medicine ball for added resistance. It targets similar muscles as the standard Superman but enhances the workout by incorporating an object to lift.

    How to do it

    1. Lie face down on the floor holding a medicine ball with both hands extended in front of you.
    2. Keep your arms straight but allow a slight bend in your elbows.
    3. Lift the medicine ball and your legs a few inches off the ground by engaging your back and glutes.
    4. Hold the lifted position briefly, feeling the tension in your back and glutes.
    5. Slowly lower the medicine ball and legs back to the ground.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    12.5lbs

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Advanced Workouts to Get Lean and Burn Fat

Alternative Advanced Workouts with Medicine Balls

Alternative Workouts with Medicine Balls to Get Lean and Burn Fat