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Best Chest And Back Workouts With Medicine Balls To Build Muscle Mass

About

This comprehensive workout incorporates medicine balls, effective for both building muscle mass and improving functional strength.

Medicine balls, available in various weights and made of durable materials, are uniquely suitable for explosive movements like throws and slams as well as providing a versatile instability element to exercises.

The chest muscles, or pectorals, are engaged through pressing and adduction movements, while the back muscles are activated utilizing pulling actions such as rows and pull-ups.

Combining chest and back exercises allows both the push and pull motion patterns to be addressed, fostering overall upper body development.

Workouts focused on hypertrophy use moderate weights with higher repetitions, ensuring muscle growth in a balanced manner.

This approach provides a well-rounded, effective method to enhance strength and endurance.

The 3 Best Chest and Back Exercises with Medicine Balls to Build Muscle Mass

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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
    6reps
    2
    6reps
    3
    6reps
    4
    6reps
  • 2. 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
    6reps
    2
    6reps
    3
    6reps
    4
    6reps
  • 3. Medicine Ball Slam

    Medicine Ball Slam demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    299,149
    Back Strength
    24 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Medicine Balls
    Medicine Balls

    The Medicine Ball Slam is a full-body exercise that builds strength and improves cardiovascular fitness. It involves lifting a medicine ball overhead and slamming it down, engaging your arms, shoulders, core, and back.

    How to do it

    1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and hold the medicine ball overhead.
    2. Breathe in, brace your midsection, and slightly bend your elbows.
    3. Hinge at your hips, bending your knees to bring the ball down.
    4. When elbows reach waist level, slam the ball to the ground with force.
    5. Squat down to pick up the ball and return to start.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Workouts with Medicine Balls to Build Muscle Mass

Alternative Chest and Back Workouts to Build Muscle Mass