A medicine ball is a weighted ball for throws, twists and squats. Slam balls have a firm shell and a dead bounce, soft balls have a padded cover for wall throws, and rubber balls bounce and suit passing drills. The type matters more than the weight on the label.
The six balls below cover a slam ball, a basic rubber ball, two soft-cover options and two Champion Sports models. Weights, sizes and materials come from each product’s listing page, and most are sold in several weights. We have not used these balls ourselves, and workout claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Type | Slam, soft wall and bouncing balls suit different drills |
| Weight | Each listing offers a range, so pick a weight for the drill |
| Cover | Textured PVC, rubber and faux leather grip differently |
| Size | Diameter changes how it fits in the hands |
Specs at a Glance
| Ball | Material | Weights and size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProsourceFit slam | PVC shell | 5 to 50 lb options; the page shows 15 lb | Tread-textured grip; waterproof shell per the maker |
| Amazon Basics weighted | Rubber | 4 lb page; 7.6 x 7.6 in | Lightly textured; described as bouncing off hard floors |
| Retrospec Core | PU vegan leather | 4 to 30 lb options; the page shows 6 lb at 7.9 in | Soft touch; sturdy grip |
| ProSource Soft | PU leather (table says Leather) | 6 to 25 lb, color-coded; the page shows 8 lb | Padded interior; double-stitched seams |
| Champion Rhino Elite | Hollow synthetic rubber | The page shows 2 lb, 8 in | Textured surface; consistent bounce |
| Champion Leather | Faux leather | The page shows 6 lb | Described as a non-slip, controlled grip |
The 6 Best Medicine Balls
1. ProsourceFit Slam Medicine Ball
A PVC slam ball with a tire-tread textured surface, sold in weights from 5 up to 50 pounds; the page shown lists the 15 pound ball. The maker says the shell absorbs impact and is waterproof.
Suits: floor slams. Strengths: a wide weight range and a dead-weight feel. Weaknesses: a hard shell. Skip it if you want a ball to bounce.
View ProsourceFit Slam Medicine Balls on Amazon
2. Amazon Basics Weighted Medicine Ball
A green rubber ball measuring 7.6 by 7.6 inches in the 4 pound version, with a lightly textured surface. The listing says it can bounce off hard surfaces for tosses and twists.
Suits: a light everyday ball. Strengths: a simple rubber build. Weaknesses: the page shows one weight. Skip it if you want a padded cover.
View Amazon Basics Weighted Medicine Ball on Amazon
3. Retrospec Core Weighted Medicine Ball
A black PU vegan leather ball with a soft-touch cover, offered from 4 up to 30 pounds. The page shown lists the 6 pound ball at 7.9 inches across, and the maker says the cover keeps its shape under impact.
Suits: a soft cover with many weights. Strengths: ten weight options. Weaknesses: not a slam ball. Skip it if you want to slam it down.
View Core Soft Touch Weighted Medicine Ball on Amazon
4. ProSource Soft Medicine Ball
A color-coded soft wall ball in 6, 8, 10, 14, 20 and 25 pound weights, with double-stitched seams and a padded interior. The page shown is the 8 pound aqua ball; the table calls the material leather while the text says PU leather.
Suits: wall ball throws. Strengths: color-coded weights and a padded cover. Weaknesses: the material is described two ways. Skip it if you want a rubber shell.
View ProSource Soft Medicine Balls on Amazon
5. Champion Sports Rhino Elite Medicine Ball
A hollow synthetic rubber ball with a textured surface, listed in the 2 pound version at 8 inches across. The maker describes a consistent bounce, and an optional rebounder is sold separately.
Suits: a bouncing ball for drills. Strengths: a hollow rubber build. Weaknesses: the page shows a light weight. Skip it if you want a dead-weight ball.
View Champion Sports Rhino Elite Medicine Ball on Amazon
6. Champion Sports Leather Medicine Ball
A yellow faux leather ball, shown in the 6 pound version, with a synthetic cover the maker says gives a controlled grip even when hands are damp.
Suits: floor exercises and passing. Strengths: a faux leather grip. Weaknesses: the page gives no diameter in the overview. Skip it if you need exact dimensions.
View Champion Sports Leather Medicine Balls on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Pick a weight you can control for the whole set.
- Clear space before slams or wall throws.
- Wipe the cover clean after a workout.
- Store away from heat and direct sun.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a soft ball for floor slams.
- Choosing too heavy a weight to start.
- Ignoring the weight shown on the page you open.
- Forgetting a floor that can take the impact.
Medicine Ball FAQ
What is the difference between a slam ball and a wall ball?
Makers describe slam balls as dead-weight balls with a firm shell and wall balls as soft balls for throws.
Do the listings cover several weights?
Yes. Most are sold in a range, so check the weight selected on the page.
The Short Version
For slams, the ProsourceFit. For a light rubber ball, the Amazon Basics. For ten weights, the Retrospec. For wall throws, the ProSource Soft. For a bounce, the Champion Rhino. For a faux leather grip, the Champion Leather.
