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Behold the Mighty Medicine Ball

Weighty exercise aid goes back a lot longer than you'd think

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 14, 2008 12:22 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The thunk of a medicine ball may evoke images of football players doing strength and resistance training, but its history reaches far beyond the advent of modern fitness regimens. ESPN the Magazine chronicles the medicine ball through the ages, from gladiators' workouts to Renaissance medical texts to the earliest days of the US Military Academy.

Long a fixture in European gymnasiums, the ball made its first American appearance at Harvard in the 1860s. Compared to today's complicated sports equipment, the medicine ball appears "so simple it makes people skeptical," says Mike Karney of the Saints. But devotees include QB Matt Ryan, the potential top pick in next week's NFL draft.

The squat is one of the many exercises that a medicine ball can augment.
The squat is one of the many exercises that a medicine ball can augment.   (KRT Photos)
Nancy Cole demonstrates the medicine ball twist in Coral Gables, Florida.
Nancy Cole demonstrates the medicine ball twist in Coral Gables, Florida.   (KRT Photos)
A medicine ball is shown at the Baylor-Tom Landry Fitness Center in Dallas, Texas. The heavy workout aids have a history going back to Roman times.
A medicine ball is shown at the Baylor-Tom Landry Fitness Center in Dallas, Texas. The heavy workout aids have a history going back to Roman times.   (KRT Photos)
Philadelphia Phillies' So Taguchi, center, from Japan, works out with a medicine ball at the team's baseball spring training facility in Clearwater, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008.
Philadelphia Phillies' So Taguchi, center, from Japan, works out with a medicine ball at the team's baseball spring training facility in Clearwater, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud works out with a medicine ball during the NFL football team's second day of training camp, in this July 29, 2007 file photo.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud works out with a medicine ball during the NFL football team's second day of training camp, in this July 29, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Phil Coale, File)
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez works out with a medicine ball prior to baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Friday April 11, 2008.
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez works out with a medicine ball prior to baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Friday April 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
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The ball is good for basketball training
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Bill Clinton swears by a 'performance ball'
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athlete • history • Romans • fitness • Matt Ryan • military training • strength training • medicine ball

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