How to Do One-Arm Medicine Ball Slam
Start and end of one clean rep of One-Arm Medicine Ball Slam.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Core |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Back, Shoulders |
| Equipment | Bodyweight |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform One-Arm Medicine Ball Slam
- Start in a standing position with a staggered, athletic stance. Hold a medicine ball in one hand, on the same side as your back leg. This will be your starting position.
- Begin by winding the arm, raising the medicine ball above your head. As you do so, extend through the hips, knees, and ankles to load up for the slam.
- At peak extension, flex the shoulders, spine, and hips to throw the ball hard into the ground directly in front of you.
- Catch the ball on the bounce and continue for the desired number of repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Core (primary): braces the trunk and resists twisting to protect the spine.
- Back (secondary): pulls the arms down and toward the torso and keeps the spine stable.
- Shoulders (secondary): raises and rotates the arms and drives everything overhead.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.
Form tips
- Brace as if about to take a light punch and breathe shallowly — don't hold your breath for the whole set.
- Own the largest range you can control with clean form before you chase extra reps.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Control the lowering phase — a 2–3 second descent builds more than dropping the weight.
Common mistakes
- Cranking with the hip flexors or neck instead of moving from the trunk.
- Cutting the range short to squeeze out extra reps instead of owning each full one.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does One-Arm Medicine Ball Slam work?
One-Arm Medicine Ball Slam mainly works the core, with the back, shoulders helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for One-Arm Medicine Ball Slam?
None — One-Arm Medicine Ball Slam is a bodyweight movement, so you only need your bodyweight and a little space.
How many sets and reps should I do for One-Arm Medicine Ball Slam?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.
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