medicine ball, baseball, workout

Baseball gets a bad rap in terms of physical fitness: slow jogs to first base, long innings spent standing in center field, pitchers with beer bellies.In the fitness industry, there are many misconceptions about the sport, but baseball players are extremely hard workers. <a href=http://www.si.com/edge/2016/05/12/training-with-angels-mike-trout-baseball-workouts-speed-agility>Mike Trout’s need for speed</a>, Bryce Harper’s <a href=http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/bryce-harper-nationals-squat-exercise-030416>insane balance and strength</a>, and <a href=http://www.apple.com>Jose Altuve's</a> fierce dedication to an exercise routine prove it.Throwing a baseball is takes speed and power, and an exercise program designed to help you sprint fast or react quickly isn’t enough. That’s why top trainers incorporate something else: <a href=/articles/2016/02/20-minute-workout-medicine-ball>medicine balls</a>.When done correctly, medicine ball training is the most effective way to replicate a baseball player’s movements in a gym setting. The technique can help you gain athleticism, explosiveness, and power. Complete the workout below to challenge your core, arms, glutes, shoulders, and hips before your typical lifting session twice a week. Leave a few days between sessions.Day 1:(1) Overhead Medicine Ball Stomp to Floor:Using an 8- to 12-pound medicine ball, reach arms straight overhead, get tall, keep your core tight, squeeze your glutes, and slam the ball as hard as you can to ground. Complete 3 sets of 8 reps. (2) Supine Bridge March:Lay on your back, legs bent, feet flat on ground, lift to a bridge position with butt in the air. One leg at a time, lift knee toward head and squeeze butt, switch legs. Complete 3 sets of 6 reps per side. (3) Rotational Medicine Ball Scoop Toss to Wall:Using a 6-pound medicine ball, stand a few feet from the wall, arms down by side. Load into back hip as if you are swinging a bat, and rotate through upper back. Throw the ball against the wall as hard as you can with arms down (a scoop motion), finishing as if you swung a bat. Complete 3 sets of 8 reps per side.(4) Mini Band Side Steps:Place a mini band above your knees. With feet underneath your hips, take a step out with your left leg making sure you press out against the band and your knees don’t cave in, your right leg follows. Repeat each direction 8 times. Complete 3 sets per side.Day 2:(1) Recoiled Rollover Med Ball Stomp to Floor:Using an 8-pound medicine ball, start with arms by your side. Lift the ball overhead by rotating around your side like a windmill. Once you reach the highest point, get tall, squeeze glutes, slam ball as hard as you can. Then do the same on the other side. Complete 3 sets of 4 reps on each side. (2) Bird Dog:Start in a quadruped position (on your hands, knees, and feet) with your back flat. Raise and straighten your right arm and left leg in the air without letting your body shift to the side or your back to arch. Come down and do the same thing on the opposite side. The goal of the exercises is to keep your core tight and squeeze your glutes. Complete 3 sets of 8 reps per side.(3) Rotational Medicine Ball Shot Put to Wall:Using a 6-pound medicine ball, stand a few feet from the wall, arms up at shoulder height (think like a shot putter). Load into your back hip as if you are swinging a bat, rotate through your upper back, and throw the ball against the wall as hard as you can. Try to reach for the wall at the finish. Complete 3 sets of 8 reps on each side. (4) Bear Crawls:Start on all fours on the ground (in a quadruped position). Lift knees off the ground and crawl forward with the right hand and left leg, then the left hand and right leg. Picture having a pot of coffee on your back—don’t let it spill. Complete 3 sets of 12 reps.

In defense of baseball players

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