Back to library
Exercise Library
One Arm Slam (With Medicine Ball)
A single-arm medicine ball slam that adds an anti-rotation demand, forcing the obliques to control the trunk while one arm produces the power.
CoreMedicine BallExplosive unilateral trunk flexion
GoLightWeight mediaone-arm-slam-with-medicine-ball
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
ObliquesLatissimus dorsi
Secondary
Rectus abdominisShouldersTricepsGlutes
Equipment
Medicine Ball
Pattern
Explosive unilateral trunk flexion
Setup
- 01Use a small, non-bouncing slam ball you can palm with one hand.
- 02Stand with feet shoulder width apart and the ball in one hand at your side.
- 03Clear the landing area directly in front of you.
- 04Brace the trunk and keep the free arm relaxed for balance.
Execution
- 01Sweep the ball overhead with one arm, extending through the hips.
- 02Slam the ball down hard just in front of the feet while keeping the shoulders square.
- 03Resist letting the torso twist toward the working arm on the way down.
- 04Retrieve the ball, finish the set on one side, then switch arms.
Checkpoints
- -Shoulders and hips stay square to the front during the slam.
- -The ball travels overhead through a full arc before each slam.
- -The ball lands at the midline, not off to the working side.
- -The trunk, not just the arm, drives the ball down.
Common mistakes
- -Letting the torso rotate and side-bend toward the slam.
- -Using a ball too large to control with one hand.
- -Cutting the overhead reach short and turning it into an arm throw.
- -Rounding the lower back to chase the ball on the pickup.
Programming notes
- -Use 3 to 4 sets of 4 to 8 reps per arm with full recovery between sets.
- -Go 30 to 50 percent lighter than your two-arm slam ball.
- -Program early in the session as power work, not as a burnout finisher.
Related exercises
Almost there
Coming soon to iOS & Android
GoLightWeight is in the final stretch. Free to download, no account required to start.
Coming soonApp Store
Coming soonGoogle Play