Disclamer:
This article may contain affiliate links. Homegymadventures.com (HGA) may receive a commission and continue to provide helpful articles like this to help you progress on your home gym adventure. Here is our affiliate disclosure page for more information.
Investing in Quality Equipment: Why You Should Choose a good slam ball weight!
Are you looking for the best slam ball weight to maximise your workout results?
I get it, you are pumped and motivated and you want to get started as soon as possible on your fitness adventure.
But there is some work and research that has to be done to find your ideal gear. What if you choose the wrong weight and it’s too heavy and you end up hurting yourself? What if it’s too light and you don’t get enough of a challenge?
What if it’s not made of the right material for the exercises you’re doing and it breaks? What if you spend too much money on an unnecessarily heavy wall ball?
Guess what, I have just what you’re looking for!
From understanding different weights and materials to learning what the slam ball is designed for. I’ve done all the research and gathered a list of important tips to consider for you. So you don’t have to waste time searching and you can concentrate on the fun part.
This definitive buying guide provides detailed and key information to make sure you can make an informed decision. I’m convinced this guide will give you a good idea of what to look for when you are on the hunt to find the Best Slam Ball Weight for You!
Before I dive in and explore the topics, I do want to be mindful.
For all of you in a hurry, here are the 7 tips in a nutshell:
7 Tips when looking for your Ideal slam Ball Weight
- Understand the Different Weights Available – Know what range of slam ball weights is available and which one will work best for you – read more about it here
- Understand what a slam ball is – Knowing what this versatile piece of fitness gear is designed for, so you can use it properly in your workouts – read all about it here
- Understand the Available Different dimensions – Know what range of sizes a wall ball has. Learn the benefits of a consistent diameter vs a changing diameter. – read about it here
- Understand the Slam Ball Anatomy and Construction – Look into the filling material, exterior covering, and how it can withstand intense workouts – learn more here
- Consider Your Fitness Goals – Analyze your fitness goals to determine an appropriate slam ball weight – read more about it here
- Look for Warranties/Guarantees – Ensure that there is some form of warranty or guarantee offered with your slam ball purchase in case something goes wrong – read all about it here
- Understand the Slam Ball best practices guidelines – Knowing how to use and care for your product best will ensure durability and a long and exciting lifespan for this amazing piece of fitness gear – read more about it here
I’m sure you are excited and ready to dive in and learn more!
In This Blog Post
- Slam ball size and slam ball weight – What is the difference?
- Slam ball Weight – a deep dive
- What is a Slam ball?
- What is a Slam Ball Used For?
- What is a Slam ball made off?
- Before you pick a slam ball weight – Consider your Fitness Goals
- Slam Ball product Warranty – why it is important
- Slam Ball best practices guide
- Conclusion
- A Final Important Disclaimer
- Continuing your fitness Adventure
Let’s start with doing a quick recap
Understanding the difference between slam ball weight and slam ball size? – Slam Ball dimensions
To avoid any confusion, let’s take a moment to clarify what these terms mean. Although they may appear simple and interchangeable, I believe it’s useful to identify the distinct differences between them.
Slam ball size
Size points to the diameter of the ball. Different brands have different diameters available. Even within the brand and the same slam ball product line, the diameter can get larger. This mostly happens when the ball gets heavier. Slam ball diameters range from 9 inches (23 cm), 10 inc (25, 5 cm) , 11-inch (28 cm), and even 14 inch (35.5 cm).
A larger diameter on a heavier ball gives the user more grip and traction to lift and handle it.
Some brands deliberately keep the slam ball diameter consistent to make sure there is no difference in hand placement when graduating to a higher-weight slam ball. It’s great to know and have these options. But eventually, it’s the fitness user who decides what works best.
Slam ball weight
This is the overall weight of the slam ball. Just like dumbbells, each slam ball comes in a specific weight. Moving up in weight means grabbing or buying a different ball.
Depending on the brand you will most likely see 5 lbs weight increments. Be sure to pick a brand that has enough range for you to move up when your strength and power grow over time.
Let’s dive a bit deeper in
Slam Ball Weight
standard slam ball weights
Most brands offering the slam have weight increments between 5 lbs to 35 lbs or if you are used to the metric system between 2.3 kg to 16 kg. These would be the standard weights you would find in most commercial gyms too.
Heavy slam ball weights
Heavy Slam balls range from 40 lbs to 80 lbs (18 kg to 36 kg). To be honest, I’ve been going to commercial gyms for quite some time now, and I have not encountered weights going over 35 lbs just yet. These weights can more likely be found if you are visiting or planning to visit a CrossFit gym.
Super heavy slam ball weights
And to top it off, you have super heavy weights. Slam balls that are between 90 lbs to a staggering 150 lbs (40 kg to 68 kg). These bad boys are also referred to as Atlas Stones. Some CrossFit gyms might have these but Atlas stones are more commonly found in strong men and strong women gym facilities.
Needless to say, super heavy slam balls aren’t for your average beginner.
As you can see there is quite a range available when it comes to slam balls. So,…
What slam ball weight to start with?
This is going to sound like a total cop-out answer, but without proper context, it’s pretty hard to guess what the best individual slam ball weight is. It all depends on your athleticism and fitness level.
Here are a few suggestions when it comes to picking up your slam ball weight.
As a general rule,
healthy and capable female fitness enthusiasts can find a great slam ball challenge using the 10-25 lbs weight range.
For fitness-minded men with some gym experience, the 20-40 lbs range will provide a good starting place.
Absolute novices (male and female) should start with 5-8 lbs! And concentrate on executing the exercise properly rather than concentrating on the weight that is being moved around.
Even children can benefit from playing around with a 5-8 lbs slam ball.
Before you think you can handle any of these weights and start slamming, let’s start with the obvious,
What is a Slam Ball?
Ah, the mysterious slam ball. It’s not your ordinary medicine ball and it’s not quite a regular weighted ball—it’s indeed something special.
In short: a slam ball is a weighted ball, filled with sand and finished off with a thick coat of rubber. The name gives it pretty much away, but in case you are still unclear. The slam ball is a very durable piece of fitness gear. It’s literally designed to be “smashed”, “dropped” and “slammed” into any relatively smooth surface, over and over again.
This no-bounce med ball is great for explosive and high-impact exercises such as overhead slams, squat throws, and jump throws to name a few.
Slam balls come in different sizes (diameter) for better grip and handling. And based on your fitness level, come in various weight increments so you can tailor your workouts to whatever intensity you need.
What is a slam ball used for?
Outside of “you can smash it” aggressively against a surface, what else can be done with a slam ball?
A slam ball is a type of weighted medicine ball that is typically used in rehabilitation, sports training, and physical fitness. They can actually be used for a wide range of exercises.
Actually, the name “medicine ball” is used interchangeably for different pieces of fitness equipment and that is where most people’s confusion starts. Not every ball is created equally. Each type is designed specifically. Some can be used for the same exercises, but in general, specific types are best used for different exercises and even sports disciplines.
Slam balls can be used for traditional slamming exercises and slam variations, overhead lunges, Russian twists, squat throws, or air squats.
Or try using them in partner passing training like sit-ups, throws, standing twists, or lateral throws.
The higher weight increments can also be used for traditional slam movements. And will make sure you have a more challenging workout, improving muscle mass, cardiovascular endurance, hand-eye coordination, and explosive power development.
And the super heavy slam balls can be used for exercises like grab and carry, Grab and lift, and over-shoulder throw or “slam ball clean”. Providing an effective full-body workout that will challenge even the most experienced athlete.
First, to better understand this piece of equipment, let’s look at the Anatomy of a slam ball.
What is a slam ball made off?
Although different brands use different materials and methods of manufacturing, the following overview will give you a very good basis for what to look for.
Or to look out for!
Slam Ball Outside Shell – Coat Material:
Most slam ball shells available on the market today are constructed with a durable, heavy-duty rubber outer shell. Rubber’s highly stretchy, scrapping and scuffing-resistant properties make it an ideal material to withstand repeated slamming and dropping with minimal wear and tear.
Instead of a solid rubber coat, Some brands will offer a rubberized slam ball. This type of ball has a stretchy understructure like soft, supple vinyl or plastic. The ball is submerged and coated with layers of liquid rubber/solution and put to dry. This process can be repeated at different times to get the required rubber coat thickness.
Without going into too much detail, the 2 important categories of rubber to remember are natural rubbers and synthetic rubbers. Because natural rubbers have high costs and issues when exposed to heat, oils, and UV rays, we can assume that most rubbers used in slam ball manufacturing today are using a synthetic rubber mixture.
These synthetic rubbers are made primarily of petroleum byproducts and are way more cost-effective in creating this piece of fitness equipment.
Slam ball Outside Shell – Textures:
Textures can be added to the Slam ball’s outside shells to make it easier to grip. Textures come in all sorts of shapes, from fine stripes to rough treads and more imaginary patterns.
All of them serve the same purpose, to provide a secure grip during workouts. Making sure that the ball will not slip when executing complex or challenging movements. Even when the ball gets wet from sweat, the textured grip will provide enough traction to be handled properly and safely.
Slam Ball Outside Shell – Air Valve:
The Slam ball core is a combination of weighted material and depending on the brand, air. Most slam balls come with an air valve. After a period of some serious pounding, a slam ball could lose shape or get indented. Depending on the brand and recommendations of the manufacturer adding air could solve this issue and get the ball back into its original shape.
Although it’s great to have this option, it’s also a considerable weak point in its construction. Look for reinforced structures around the valve for better quality and a longer lifespan on your equipment. No matter how reinforced the structure around the valve is, be aware that it’s more likely to break down.
If the ball is still under warranty when it breaks, you want to contact the manufacturer for a replacement first off course. But if the valve breaks or pops eventually, your slam ball is not necessarily beyond saving. With a little bit of ingenuity, it can be repaired.
Slam ball core:
The weighted core of most slam balls is created by using regular sand or iron sand (a natural type of dark gray or black sand with heavy concentrations of iron) filling. That said, different brands can use different materials when manufacturing this fitness equipment.
Outside of sand, other materials that potentially can be used to fill up this type of ball are rubber granules (repurposed rubber material, grounded up into a fine texture), gels, plastic pebbles, or combinations of different heavy materials.
Together with the rubber shell, the core of the slam ball is designed to be supple enough and absorb the impact of the slam to come to a full (dead) stop when the ball hits the ground. The most important property of the slam ball is this no-bounce behavior. This is why you will sometimes hear the term dead ball or D-ball.
Consider Your Fitness Goals before you pick a slam ball weight
If you are at the beginning of your fitness adventure and just stepping into the gym, I would advise you to try working out with a lower-weight slam ball first.
It’s a durable, safe, and great piece of gear to substitute regular weights with. You can experiment with doing high-impact, strength, and explosive exercises. Try to learn exercises like overhead slams, squats, and lateral throws. Or you can do more stability, balance, and core strengthening exercises like V sit ups, twists, and throws.
You don’t have to worry about dropping or damaging the gear since the Slam ball is designed to take a beating and will not tear at the first drop. The no-bounce behavior of the slam ball makes it a great and safe tool to start.
Plus there is no need to invest in an elaborate and expensive home gym to create a full-body workout and get sweating. Outside of the health benefits, a slam ball might also be the most cost-effective start to your adventure!!
If you are further along on your journey, consider using the slam ball to progressive overload when you repeat an exercise. Different slam ball brands provide a greater range of weight increments to challenge your next full-body work. Get a full-body workout going with only a couple of movements and a heavier slam ball. It’s worth the effort!!
The heavier sizes can be used to practice lifts, carrying and over-shoulder walks, and hoist and stack exercises. This will improve power, and strength and work on conditioning
Using a weighted ball is also nice to change up barbells, dumbbell routines, or barbell plates. With 30lbs to 40lbs as a load and more repetitions, you should be more than covered.
Partner workout or flying solo? Both can work great when using a slam ball. The rule of thumb here is intensity and safety. In my opinion, if you are thinking of doing high-impact training, slam ball is the way to go. The “No-bounce” behavior of the slam ball will prevent injuries for you and your partner. Important note, if you are working out together make sure you pick a challenging weight that both parties can handle properly!!
I mentioned it a couple of times already, but it is worth repeating. Always err on caution when picking a weight and start with the lower end. Try different weight increments for a couple of exercises before moving on. Keep a log of your exercises and results to see if you are progressing and if you should go higher.
Always focus on performing your exercises correctly and efficiently rather than worrying about the amount of weight you’re lifting. It’s wiser to gradually improve strength and eventually advance to heavier weights.
Long story short, it’s not worth getting injured. It’s the fastest way to kill your gains, motivation and confidence.
When you are buying a Slam ball a solid Warranty is an absolute must.
I’ve done a lot of research into different brands and different types of slam balls. And I assure you that not all warranties are created equally. I’ve found limited 15-day returns to solid 3-year or even lifetime warranties on certain equipment.
Needless to say that a slam ball is often put through intense workouts and can take quite a beating, so having the assurance of a warranty can be crucial in making sure you get your money’s worth.
A slam ball with a good warranty shows that the manufacturer has confidence in their craftsmanship, as well as the materials used to create the slam ball. Many companies offer warranties on slam balls to show appreciation for loyal customers who purchase from them.
Be sure to read the warranty statement or contact the manufacturer prior and ask some questions about what will void the warranty. As a fitness user, be fair too. It’s one thing to put a piece of equipment through a heavy workout routine. It’s another to downright abuse and destroy your equipment and be surprised that it breaks down.
In my opinion, when buying this type of gear, do not go for any slam ball with less than 1-year warranty.
Slam ball Best practices guidelines
Many manufacturers happily promote the heavy-duty, robust, and durable nature of their slam balls. Although they are right in mentioning that this piece of gear is very strong, always keep in mind that it is not indestructible. And it is for certain not impenetrable.
Your slam balls will last for countless slams against the smooth concrete in your garage, but be aware that constant slamming on uneven surfaces such as gravel and blacktop can create punctures if you are not cautious. In general, it’s not a bad idea to avoid slamming them outside where there may potentially be sticks or rocks lying around which could damage them faster over time.
Similar to any other piece of rubber, the rubber shell will dry out over time. Making sure you clean the shell monthly to prevent dirt and particle build-up. Use rubbing alcohol solution to make sure the ball is clean and dust free. You can keep the shell flexible by rubbing a thin layer of vaseline and gently wiping away residue material with a clean rag. Store your gear in a dry and preferably inside location for longevity.
A texture could protect the valve a little bit because it will be more embedded. But even with all the extra material and protection the slam ball will go through a considerable amount of abuse and aggressive handling. It might be wise to try and avoid hitting the valve on the ground as much as possible and keep it away from the impact zone.
Conclusion
I hope these 7 tips are helpful when you are looking for the ideal slam ball weight to start your fitness adventure.
You don’t want to choose a slam ball that’s too heavy and risk injury, or one that’s too light and doesn’t provide enough challenge. Investing in quality equipment is key when it comes to getting the most out of your workouts.
That’s exactly why I created this ultimate buying guide for you. I’ve done all the research so you don’t have to. To make sure you have all the information you need! From understanding different weights and materials to learning what a slam ball is designed for so that you can make an informed decision.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced fitness enthusiast, now that you know what to look out for, I’m sure there is a slam ball available that suits your needs.
As always, I appreciate you for taking the time to read this article. The last thing I want for you is to get hurt. To make sure you fully understand,
A Final and Important Disclaimer
Homegymadventures.com articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment — nor should any information shared here be taken as such. Before taking any action related to your health, we strongly recommend consulting with a healthcare practitioner first. Here is our disclaimers page for more information.
Continuing your Fitness Journey
Are you still wondering if looking for a slam ball is going to require hours of research before you can make the right decision? And even with these 7 tips your not looking forward to going online again? Have a look at this best slam ball review post
Or for the more experienced athletes, my best Heavy slam ball suggestions
So choosing a slam ball will not feel like extra work!
Or if you are excited and want to learn more about the other types of medicine balls available on the market. Have a look at What is a medicine ball and how can it benefit my workouts?