" Today's medicine balls are made of easy-grip rubbery materials and are either filled with gel (and don't bounce) or air (which do bounce). Some are even designed with handles for gripping. They are now readily available in lighter weights for easier use by adolescents, seniors and those in rehab. "

" Medicine balls can be swung side-to-side, over and under and in chopping motions. They can be tossed overhead to a wall, partner or to bounce-back equipment. And with no moving parts, they are simple to use, portable and will endure for "

" Strength training is important for muscle and bone strength, especially as we age. But workouts that focus on lifting in one static direction, the primary purview of most machines, are not that helpful when it comes to maintaining full functionality in our daily lives. Where most weightlifting exercise routines focus on training isolated muscle groups, functional training integrates "

"subconsciously in the course of a day and puts them together into a multi-dimensional workout. By working out in multiple planes, we are more likely to remain injury-free during daily chores and activities. "

" Coaches and strength training specialists have integrated medicine balls into their athletes' workouts for decades. They are now key components of functional training. "

" Movements through multiple planes (left-right, front-back, upper-lower) facilitate core strength (from which all our strength emanates), explosive power (which helps us respond quickly and effectively to stimuli), flexibility (which helps us move unharmed in all directions), endurance (which helps us keep on keeping on) and balance (without which we fall over) and resemble how we normally move about. "

" Look at grocery shopping, for example. This simple activity involves reaching for items on shelves (flexibility), lifting heavier items into a cart (core strength), stretching on tippy-toes for the last sale item on the top
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