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Victoria Campos (Individual Women) and Kaique Cerveny (Individual Men) are the victors of the 2023 CrossFit South America Semifinal. Campos will attempt to build on her debut at the 2022 CrossFit Games this coming August in Madison, WI. The athlete participated in the first days of competition last summer, but did not make the cut to compete in the final events. Meanwhile, Cerveny earns his first-ever roster spot in the CrossFit Games with this Semifinal victory.

On the Teams side, Templo SA CrossFit Blacksheep Treta emerged victorious to earn its official berth in the 2023 CrossFit Games. This segment of the overall 2023 CrossFit Semifinals took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 26-28, 2023.

Here are the results and top 20 finishers for each of the three divisions that participated in the 2023 CrossFit South America Semifinal. The usual and universal format for all seven 2023 CrossFit Semifinals applied: Individual athletes had seven workouts on their plate, and Teams athletes had six workouts to perform.

Individual Women Results

  1. Victoria Campos — 616 points
  2. Alexia Williams — 600 points
  3. Valentina Rangel — 556 points
  4. Andreia Pinheiro — 552 points
  5. Fernanda Dotto — 460 points
  6. Emily Andrade — 454 points
  7. Luiza Marques — 439 points
  8. Julia Kato — 425 points
  9. Delfina Ortuño — 414 points
  10. Amanda Fusuma — 413 points
  11. Sasha Nievas — 402 points
  12. Bruna Baxhix — 381 points
  13. Constanza Cabrera — 378 points
  14. Licía Viretti Anino — 323 points
  15. Kiara Priscilla Schneider — 309 points
  16. Claudia Amaral — 303 points
  17. Thais Nunes — 297 points
  18. Jane Silva — 282 points
  19. Patricia Maciel — 275 points
  20. Sabrina Bedin — 274 points

Individual Men Results

  1. Kaique Cerveny — 660 points
  2. Kalyan Souza — 644 points
  3. Guilherme Malheiros — 613 points
  4. Benjamin Gutierrez — 504 points
  5. Bruno Marins — 496 points
  6. Agustin Richelme — 466 points
  7. Gustavo Errico — 426 points
  8. Brayan Stiven Fajardo — 423 points
  9. Lago Guiraldes — 408 points
  10. Joao Pedro Barcelos — 386 points
  11. Juan Manuel Seitun — 322 points
  12. Pablo Chalfun — 317 points
  13. Omar Martinez — 317 points
  14. Vinicius Stoelben — 313 points
  15. Vitor Caetano — 303 points
  16. Esteban Ospina — 299 points
  17. Bruno Diniz — 297 points
  18. Vitor Nunes — 291 points
  19. Lukas Ozaki — 282 points
  20. Geronimo Beaudean — 263 points

Teams Results

  1. Templo SA CrossFit Blacksheep Treta — 535 points
  2. Q21 CrossFit — 520 points
  3. Sense Fitness CrossFit Mayhem Soul — 460 points
  4. Q21 CrossFit Flux Team — 395 points
  5. Soren CrossFit Team Soren 1 — 395 points
  6. Bushido CrossFit — 385 points
  7. Kingbull CrossFit Paraguay — 385 points
  8. Vittoria CrossFit Morereps 2023 — 380 points
  9. Sense Fitness CrossFit Tuki — 350 points
  10. Pam CrossFit — 345 points
  11. CrossFit Tyranno — 335 points
  12. Compa CrossFit — 295 points
  13. BRV CrossFit Fitness Factory — 285 points
  14. Cavaleiros CrossFit II Team Cavaleiros LL — 280 points
  15. Vittoria CrossFit Team Hungry — 265 points
  16. WTC CrossFit Ghostbusters Team — 230 points
  17. Overking CrossFit Team DC — 220 points
  18. CrossFit Beira Rio Team Beira Rio — 145 points
  19. CrossFit Crane — 95 points
  20. Inverted CrossFit — Zero points

Upcoming CrossFit SemiFinal Dates

Five of the seven 2023 CrossFit Semifinal segments have concluded. They are as follows: North America EastAfrica, North America West, Oceania, and South America.

Here are the scheduled dates and locations for the remaining 2023 CrossFit Semifinals:

  • June 1-4, 2023: Europe Semifinal | Berlin, Germany
  • June 1-4, 2023: Asia Semifinal | Busan, South Korea

With just two legs remaining in the 2023 CrossFit Semifinals, a concrete understanding of the headline divisions’ rosters for the 2023 CrossFit Games will soon be established.

Featured image: @victoriacampos013 on Instagram

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On May 20, 2023, during the 2023 USA Powerlifting (USAPL) P3 Grand Prix, powerlifter Austin Perkins scored a 305-kilogram (672.4-pound) raw back squat. The mark is an all-time raw World Record in Perkins’ 75-kilogram competitive weight class, officially surpassing his peer Taylor Atwood by two kilograms (4.4 pounds). According to Open Powerlifting, Atwood achieved the past raw record squat mark of 303 kilograms (668 pounds) in the 75-kilogram division at the 2021 USAPL Raw Nationals.

Perkins wore a lifting belt and utilized wrist wraps and knee sleeves — which still qualifies as raw in a sanctioned powerlifting context — to help achieve his record mark.

In a caption of one of Perkins’ recent Instagram posts, he recaps what went into attaining his raw World Record squat. The athlete steadily built up toward the achievement through his meet performance and needed all three attempts to break the new boundary after a 280-kilogram (617.4-pound) first squat and a 295-kilogram (650-pound) second squat.

Perkins wrote that after a personally disappointing performance at the 2022 USAPL Virginia Pro in December 2022 (a contest he still won in the raw 75-kilogram class), he was motivated to improve the depth of his squats. He also made a grip adjustment, placing his hands wider and getting his barbell in a lower position so the athlete could enjoy more of a “vertical” squat.

Here’s an overview of Perkins’ top stats at the 2023 USAPL P3 Grand Prix. In addition to his World Record squat, the athlete notably scored all-time raw competition bests on his bench press (195 kilograms/429.9 pounds), deadlift (325 kilograms/716.5 pounds), and total (825 kilograms/1,818.8 pounds).

Austin Perkins (75KG) | 2023 USAPL P3 Grand Prix Top Stats

  • Squat — 305-kilogram (672.4-pound) | All-Time Raw World Record
  • Bench Press — 195 kilograms (429.9 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition Best
  • Deadlift — 325 kilograms (716.5 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition Best
  • Total — 825 kilograms (1,818.8 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition Best

Note: At the time of this writing, Perkins’ record squat mark is official but has not yet been reflected in databases like Open Powerlifting.

Even with a new World Record and all the work he put into it, Perkins didn’t seem satisfied with his closing note. If anything, he characterized this specific meet as something that might be just the beginning. The powerlifter appeared to tease his next competitive appearance at the 2023 USAPL Equipped Nationals on June 17, 2023, in Dallas, TX.

Perkins was the 75-kilogram runner-up in his last Equipped Nationals berth in 2021. His tenor made it seem he was dead set on a victory this time around.

“To cap things off, this was the most confident on a squat I had ever been,” Perkins wrote of his raw World Record squat. “There weren’t any unknown variables come meet day which I loved. We went in and hit numbers we knew were going to be easy enough. [I’m] following the same protocol for Nats [the 2023 USAPL Equipped Nationals]. Can’t wait to see what we do when we’re actually pushing limits.”

Featured image: @the75KG on Instagram

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Alex Gazan (Individual Women) and Patrick Vellner (Individual Men) are the winners of the 2023 CrossFit North America West Semifinal. To notch his Semifinal win, Vellner, the 2022 CrossFit Games runner-up, beat two-time defending CrossFit Games champion Justin Medeiros.

Gazan bolsters her current fifth-place worldwide ranking on the official CrossFit leaderboard with this victory, earning her second-ever placing in the CrossFit Games. Gazan finished in 24th place for the Individual Women in her debut in 2022. Three teams, CrossFit Franco’s Misfits, CrossFit Invictus, and CrossFit Omnia, all finished with an identical number of points to win the Teams portion.

This North America West semifinals — one of the last legs before the 2023 CrossFit Games in early August — took place on May 25-28, 2023, in Pasadena, CA.

Here are the respective final results and top 20 finishers for all three included divisions at the 2023 CrossFit North America West Semifinal. As is the case with other Semifinals legs, the Individual athletes performed seven workouts, while the Teams competitors participated in six.

Individual Women Results

  1. Alex Gazan — 538 points
  2. Katrin Davíðsdóttir — 527 points
  3. Arielle Loewen — 525 points
  4. Christine Kolenbrander — 507 points
  5. Bethany Shadburne — 504 points
  6. Emily Rolfe — 465 points
  7. Olivia Kerstetter — 457 points
  8. Abigail Domit — 421 points
  9. Baylee Rayl — 415 points
  10. Kelly Baker — 415 points
  11. Dani Speegle — 413 points
  12. Kloie Wilson — 402 points
  13. Lauren Fisher — 382 points
  14. Emily White — 381 points
  15. Sydney Michalyshen — 373 points
  16. Hannah Black — 370 points
  17. Stacy Lerum — 370 points
  18. Hattie Kanyo — 359 points
  19. Karisa Stapp — 356 points
  20. Ellia Miller — 344 points

Individual Men Results

  1. Patrick Veller — 612 points
  2. Brent Fikowski — 569 points
  3. Samuel Kwant — 564 points
  4. Cole Greashaber — 528 points
  5. Justin Medeiros — 519 points
  6. Chandler Smith — 490 points
  7. Nick Mathew — 472 points
  8. Colten Mertens — 458 points
  9. Cole Sager — 458 points
  10. Mitchel Stevenson — 422 points
  11. Luis Oscar Mora — 418 points
  12. John Wood — 417 points
  13. Jack Rozema — 402 points
  14. Justin Rhodes — 351 points
  15. Maximilian Krieg — 349 points
  16. Scott Tetlow — 343 points
  17. Chris Ibarra — 343 points
  18. Isaiah Vidal — 326 points
  19. Phillip Muscarella — 325 points
  20. Anthony Davis — 324 points

Teams Results

  1. CrossFit Franco’s Misfits — 555 points | Three-way tie for first place
  2. CrossFit Invictus — 555 points | Three-way tie for first place
  3. CrossFit Omnia — 555 points | Three-way tie for first place
  4. CrossFit Kilo II — 528 points
  5. Koda CrossFit Redemption — 486 points
  6. CrossFit Invictus Unconquerable — 483 points
  7. Rhino CrossFit Dawgs — 444 points
  8. CrossFit Invictus Sea of Green — 432 points
  9. Einhorn CrossFit Ascend — 417 points
  10. CrossFit Believe — 364 points
  11. Verdant CrossFit — 363 points
  12. CrossFit 8035 — 354 points
  13. CrossFit Overtake Team Destiny — 349 points
  14. Undefeated CrossFit — 334 points
  15. CrossFit Complex — 327 points
  16. CrossFit Queretaro The W Pack — 309 points
  17. CrossFit Kemah — 286 points
  18. Ben Lomond CrossFit Rise — 265 points
  19. CrossFit Condesa Luther MX — 250 points
  20. Salty Hive CrossFit — 236 points

Upcoming CrossFit Semifinal Dates

Five legs of the 2023 CrossFit Semifinals — North America East, Africa, North America West, Oceania, and South America — are in the books, and only two remain. Here are the upcoming dates for the remaining 2023 CrossFit Semifinals:

  • June 1-4 — Europe Semifinal | Berlin, Germany
  • June 1-4 — Asia Semifinal | Busan, South Korea

At the conclusion of both the Europe and Asia Semifinals, the headline divisions (Individual Women, Individual Men, Teams) of the 2023 CrossFit Games will have most of their primary rosters locked in. From there, it’s a two-month sprint (or wait) until the biggest competition in CrossFit in the late summer.

Featured image: @alexgazan_ on Instagram

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On May 27-29, 2023, during the 2023 UK’s Strongest Woman, Lucy Underdown scored a 305-kilogram (672.4-pound) Kratos bar deadlift World Record. In the context of a strongwoman event, Underdown utilized a lifting belt and lifting straps to help achieve her massive milestone pull. The strongwoman completed her Kratos bar deadlift from a conventional stance with a double-overhand grip. Underdown finished as the runner-up to eventual champion Rebecca Roberts in the strongwoman contest.

The CERBERUS Kratos Strongman Bar (also known as the “Kratos bar”) is characterized mainly by its length. According to the barbell’s description on the CERBERUS Strength website, the Kratos bar measures at a lengthy 10 feet from end to end. The extended length creates an additional “flex” and “whip” an athlete must overcome to complete a full lockout of their deadlift repetition. The bar also has a base weight of 28 kilograms (61.7 pounds) which is more than the standard 20.4 kilograms (45 pounds) for a “normal” barbell.

Despite the added challenge, Underdown seemingly accomplished her record mark with ease based on a clip of her Kratos bar lift.

In a post caption on her Instagram, Underdown seemed appreciative of her overall performance at the 2023 UK’s Strongest Woman. Even without the victory, Underdown finishing in second place marks her third podium accomplishment in her last four competitive appearances, per Strongman Archives.

It seems any time an athlete can score a runner-up result and still take home a World Record, they may appropriately gush about their output.

“What an awesome weekend!” Underdown started in her post. “I fought so, so hard for the win. It really came down to the last bag of the last event and unfortunately I came up short against the amazing [Rebecca Roberts]. These things happen and we learn and move on! A [CERBERUS Strength] Kratos bar deadlift World Record of 305 kilograms (honestly, felt like I could have done 320 kilograms yesterday) and a surprise Block Press win with an easy five reps. I can’t be too unhappy!

The final note of Underdown’s competition reflection features the athlete teasing “Euros prep.” At the time of this article’s publication, it is unclear exactly which contest Underdown is referring to, but based on her precedent, it seems likely the strongwoman means the 2023 Britain’s Strongest Woman (BSW) set for late September 2023.

After this kind of new result, the strongwoman world should probably expect another glowing performance from Underdown at the 2023 BSW.

Featured image: @cerberus_strength on Instagram

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Rebecca Roberts (Women) and Paul Smith (Men) are the respective champions of the 2023 UK’s Strongest Woman and UK’s Strongest Man. The joint strongwoman and strongman strength contest took place on May 27-29, 2023, in Nottingham, England.

According to her resume on Strongman Archives, this is Roberts’ second consecutive UK’s Strongest Woman title (2022-2023). The athlete previously finished as the runner-up in her UK’s Strongest debut in the year 2021. Meanwhile, the same repeat sentiments can be expressed for Smith, who also successfully defended his UK’s Strongest Man title captured in 2022.

Here are the complete results for the 2023 UK’s Strongest Woman competitors. The field of eight athletes was tasked with competing in the Shield Carry, Block Press, Truck Pull, Max Deadlift, and Bag Over Bar. To capture her latest title, Roberts won three of the five events (the Shield Carry, Truck Pull, and Bag Over Bar) and finished as the runner-up in the Block Press and Max Deadlift.

2023 UK’s Strongest Woman Final Standings

  1. Rebecca Roberts — 38 points | Two-time defending UK’s Strongest Woman Champion (2022-2023)
  2. Lucy Underdown — 37 points
  3. Katie Smith — 19 points
  4. Claire Myler — 17 points
  5. Izzy Tait — 16 points
  6. Sarah Reynolds — 13 points
  7. Gemma Moore — 12 points
  8. Nadine Guy — 7 points

Rounding out the podium for the women after Roberts was Lucy Underdown (second place) and Katie Smith (third place). Underdown’s runner-up result is the third time in her last four contests that the athlete has finished on the podium. Per her page on Strongman Archives, the 2023 UK’s Strongest Woman was Smith’s third appearance, and best placing, in this prestigious contest.

Here are the complete results for the 2023 UK’s Strongest Man competitors. The field of eight athletes had a different slate of events from their strongwomen counterparts. They were as follows: the Super Yoke, Incline Log Ladder, Silver Dollar Deadlift, Bull Ring, and Cerberus Steps From Hell. Smith was triumphant on the Super Yoke, Incline Log Ladder, and Silver Dollar Deadlift to eventually notch his overall victory.

2023 UK’s Strongest Man Final Standings

  1. Paul Smith — 33 points | Two-time defending UK’s Strongest Man Champion (2022-2023)
  2. Matt Dimond — 28.5 points
  3. Callum Crozier — 26 points
  4. Andrew Flynn — 23.5 points
  5. Chris Beetham — 20 points
  6. Louis Jack — 19 points
  7. Cillein Groom — 16 points
  8. Scott Milne — 14 points

Roberts and Smith have already established themselves as bona fide forces to be reckoned with in strongwoman and strongman. They didn’t necessarily “need” the 2023 UK’s Strongest Woman and Man titles to do it, either. Roberts is a former World’s Strongest Woman (WSW) champion (2021), while Smith has appeared in two previous World’s Strongest Man (WSM) competitions (2018, 2023).

Now, both strong athletes can add yet another significant notch to their lifting belts.

Featured image: @rebeccarobertsstrongwoman on Instagram

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Racheal Paveglio may have had as close to a perfect meet as you will see on any platform. On Saturday, May 20, 2023, Paveglio entered the 2023 USAPL Masters World Cup in Arlington, TX as a 140-kilogram Masters amateur competitor.

She not only went nine-for-nine with all white lights on each lift, but she left with a Masters raw world record deadlift of 230 kilograms (507 pounds) and she earned her Masters pro card as well.

According to Open Powerlifting, Paveglio weighed in at 127.1 kilograms (280.3 pounds) going into this meet, putting her in the 100-kilogram+ (220-pound+) class. After the announcer informed the crowd about the record attempt, Paveglio approached the barbell with a conventional stance, took hold of it with a mixed grip, and pulled it in towards her legs before beginning the pull.

Once the barbell left the floor, it was a smooth and consistent lift to a lockout position. She calmly returned the barbell to the floor upon the judge’s signal, and she received three white lights for her efforts. The announcer then came and held Paveglio’s arm up in victory as the audience cheered. She didn’t even wear a weightlifting belt when she made the attempt.

Aside from the world record, she placed first in both the full meet and bench only. Every one of her nine attempts on the day were received with three white lights. The summary of her day is below.

Racheal Paveglio | 2023 USAPL Masters World Cup

  • Squat — 190 kilograms (419 pounds)
  • Bench Press — 112.5 kilograms (248 pounds)
  • Deadlift — 230 kilograms (507 pounds) | Masters World Record
  • Total — 532.5 kilograms (1,174 pounds)

The previous deadlift record holder was Aranda Brown, who pulled 225 kilograms (496 pounds) at the 2022 USAPL Mega Nationals in Las Vegas, NV. Beyond the deadlift world record, Paveglio now has second all-time Masters total for her weight class, only behind Jacquelynne Duble (542.5 kilograms/1,196 pounds).

There is no word on when Paveglio’s next meet will be, but she may have that total in her sights as the next record to go after.

Featured Video: @red_lipstick_strength on Instagram

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Four-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead and 2021 Olympia 212 champion Derek Lunsford aren’t regular training partners, but they are both clients of 22-time Olympia winning coach Hany Rambod. So, when the opportunity presents itself, the two champion bodybuilders do like to trade sets. 

One such session was held in Pittsburgh, PA during the weekend of May 12-13, 2023 where Lunsford guest posed at the IFBB Pittsburgh Pro contest. Bumstead shared footage of the back workout on his YouTube channel.

YouTube Video

Lat Pulldown Machine

Both men began the session by focusing on isolating their lats with lat pulldown machine. They performed both reverse-grip and neutral-grip pulldowns on different sets. Rambod was placing emphasis on driving the scapulae and elbows back to get a greater contraction. Both athletes also used slow tempos with their reps, increasing the time under tension. They were staying in the 10-12 rep range for each set. Rambod instructed Bumstead to hold the contracted portion for up to five seconds at the end of one set.

Why Do It: The lat pulldown focuses on the lats as well as the upper back. Using an overhand grip may recruit more of the upper back muscles, while an underhand grip may shift the focus to more of the lower lats and biceps. The neutral-grip can be used to isolate the lats with minimal biceps involvement.

How to Do It: Grab the handles with your preferred grip and sit on the seat of the machine with your knees secured under the pads. Get a stretch at the top before beginning the first rep. With control, drive your elbows down and back as you pull the handles down towards your chest. You can allow your upper body to come back slightly, but don’t use momentum to pull the weight down. Pull in as close to your body as possible and hold this position briefly before allowing the handles to return to the starting position under control. Repeat for the desired reps.

T-Bar Row

Next up was an old-school bodybuilding movement — the T-bar row. A barbell was placed in a corner of the gym while Lunsford stood at the opposite end with a V-handle in his hands. Both men started with three 25-kilogram (55-pound) plates on the barbell, and they eventually added a fourth. Only two sets were shown for each athlete.

Why Do It: This exercise is a basic mass-builder for the upper back. You get the feel of free weights, even though the non-weighted end of the bar is wedged or locked into position.

How to Do It: Once weight is on the barbell with the opposite end secured in a landmine unit, straddle the bar and place the V-handle underneath it so you can hold the handle with each hand. Bend at the hips while keeping your back straight. Lift the handles so the weighted end of the bar comes up off the floor. While maintaining the bent-over position, pull the bar up toward your chest to contract your lats and upper back. Slowly lower the barbell back to the floor, without letting it rest on the ground, and repeat for the desired reps.

Seated Cable Row

Bumstead started the third movement of the session when he did his first set of seated cable rows with a neutral grip. They were pulling the handle to the middle of their torsos to emphasize the upper back, but their execution of the reps were still slow and controlled. Rambod encouraged them to feel the muscles working with each individual rep.

Why Do It: This promotes thickness and detail in the upper back, which both men will showcase on-stage in back-double biceps poses during mandatory callouts or during various back poses in their individual routines.

How to Do It: Place your feet on the foot pad and sit on the bench while holding the handles. You should be able to stretch forward when lowering the handle without the pinned weight touching the stack. Keeping a straight back and slightly bent legs, pull the handle in toward your torso. Squeeze the upper back and hold the contracted position before lowering the pinned weight back toward the stack. Once you feel a stretch in your upper back, repeat for the next rep. Your upper body should move slightly, but you shouldn’t use momentum to pull the weight in. Keep a neutral neck position throughout the set.

Chest-Supported Two-Dumbbell Row

The fourth exercise of the day was first movement to use dumbbells. Both Bumstead and Lunsford placed themselves on an incline bench, chest down, and rowed the dumbbells up using an overhand grip. They allowed their elbows to flare out to emphasize the rear delts and upper back muscles. Rambod focused on their range of motion by having them stretch and lower the dumbbells as close as possible to the floor before beginning the next rep. 

Why Do It: This free weight movement hits the upper back and forces you to work each side independently to maintain stability and control of the weight. Doing this on a bench decreases the possibility of using momentum or cheating the exercise.

How to Do It: Place dumbbells near the head end of the bench. Straddle the bench and place your feet wide on the floor for balance. Place your chest on the bench and use your arms to secure the dumbbells. Pull the dumbbells toward your upper body while keeping yourself connected to the bench. When you feel the contraction of your upper back, slowly lower the weights towards the floor. Once you feel a stretch, begin the next rep.

The video concluded with footage of Bumstead saying some words on stage at the Pittsburgh Pro contest before brief clips of Lunsford’s guest posing was shown.

Not all details of this workout’s were shared, but you can try these movements for yourself by following the sample workout below.

Sample Back Workout

Lat Pulldown — 4 x 8-12

T-Bar Row — 3 x 10-12

Seated Cable Row — 3 x 10-12

Chest-Supported Two-Dumbbell Row — 3 x 10

Both Bumstead and Lunsford will compete in their respective divisions at the 2023 Olympia Weekend in Orlando, FL on the weekend of Nov. 2-5. Bumstead will aim to win his fifth consecutive Classic Physique Olympia title while Lunsford, now a Men’s Open competitor, looks to improve upon his second-place finish at the 2022 edition by overcoming current Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan.

Featured Image: @cbum on Instagram

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Medicine balls are one piece of equipment you find at nearly every strength and conditioning gym and in many “functional training” areas in commercial gyms. Their use and application for power, conditioning, and improving overall fitness levels are only limited by your creativity and imagination.

Anyone can integrate medicine ball training into their current programming and reap the rewards of this ballistic training method. You can integrate medicine ball exercises into your workout either before the main strength portion of your workout, in conjunction with some compound movements like presses or squats, as an efficient part of any outdoor workout, or at the end of a session to shore up your conditioning.

The explosive element of training with a medicine ball, which can’t be safely replicated with barbells or dumbbells, means you need to train with strong intention. This introduces higher-intensity training zones and recruits more type-II muscle fibers — fast-twitch muscle fibers which are largely responsible for muscular growth and explosive strength. (1)

Here are 10 of the best medicine ball exercises for power, conditioning, and overall fitness.

Best Medicine Ball Exercises

Medicine Ball Rotational Scoop 

The rotational scoop is one of the most common exercises performed with a medicine ball. The movement relies on both rotational and anti-rotational forces to create a powerful throw from your hips. Coiling up onto your rear leg and uncoiling toward your front leg results in a transfer of energy that comes through your core, across your upper back, and finally out of your hands as you release the ball.

YouTube Video

The direction of the medicine ball rotational scoop is more rotational than “backward and forward” with the direction of the toss. By keeping a low center of gravity with your knees bent, you’ll avoid two common pitfalls of the scoop: popping up into the air and coming off your rear foot. Maintaining posture will also allow you to use the muscles responsible for producing power to work — your hips and core — rather than shifting the ball to your target by throwing with your arms and shoulders. 

How to Do the Medicine Ball Rotational Scoop

Start with your feet hip-width apart, in a parallel-base position to your target (either your training partner or a sturdy wall) with your chest facing 90-degrees away from the target. Cradle a medicine ball with both hands at your hip. Keep your arms relaxed and begin the backswing by keeping the ball close to your body while turning your front shoulder toward your rear foot and rotating your upper body in the process. During this coil process, or eccentric phase, start to feel your front leg also turn in toward the back.

During the uncoiling, or concentric portion, reverse that order. Your front leg will now begin to return forward. That energy will transfer through your hips and core, which will force rotation for your shoulders. Keep your knees bent and maintain a low center of gravity as you begin to throw the ball just in front of your body toward the target. Allow the transfer of energy to go through your arms and out into the ball as it projects forward.

Benefits of the Medicine Ball Rotational Scoop

  • The medicine ball rotational scoop toss is an effective exercise for developing rotational power for many sports including baseball, tennis, hockey, rugby, football, jiujitsu, and other combat sports. 
  • It connects your adductors (inner thighs) and obliques (side abdominals) as a sling for producing power and force.
  • The movement can be beneficial to those looking to improve their lower body power, core strength, and total-body endurance.

Medicine Ball Shotput 

The medicine ball shotput is similar to the medicine ball scoop, except that it has a higher start position and requires more of a weight shift rather than rotation. Not many people are familiar with this medicine ball exercise variation because of the higher position of the medicine ball.

YouTube Video

Use a lighter medicine ball than you would use for a scoop to avoid any unnecessary stress to your shoulder complex or neck. 

How to Do the Medicine Ball Shotput 

Begin in a similar parallel-base position as the medicine ball scoop. Position your front-side hand underneath the ball close to your body, at your back-side shoulder. Flare the elbow of your back-side arm up and point your elbow away from your target, with your palm on the outside of the medicine ball and your fingers pointing up.

Before throwing the medicine ball, think about simply rocking back and forth from your front leg to your back leg. This will help you feel the weight shift that will allow you to project the ball to your target. Keep your head facing toward your target, you’ll shift backwards before shifting forwards and projecting the ball with your back-side arm and hand.

The release point should be in front of your body with your arm extending in the direction you want to throw. Allow your back leg to naturally pick up, if it does at all.

Benefits of the Medicine Ball Shotput

  • Improves shoulder power and strength due to the high position of your elbow and the ball.
  • Can boost performance for overhead athletes (pitchers, quarterbacks, volleyball and tennis athletes)
  • Primes the body and central nervous system for upper body workouts.

Medicine Ball Overhead Slam 

Training with medicine balls requires one fundamental element: intention. You must be aggressive and explosive with many exercise variations, but particularly with the medicine ball overhead slam. Imagine your arch-enemy’s face on the floor and pummel that face with the medicine ball.

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This variation is one of a few that you can perform with succession, or quickly for repetitions, for either power or as part of metabolic conditioning.

How to Do the Medicine Ball Overhead Slam

Start with a base position with feet hip-width apart. Hold onto the sides of the medicine ball with your arms relaxed in front of your body. Raise your straight arms above your head and straighten your legs, allowing your heels to rise off the floor to become as tall as possible. With this lengthened position, keep your core tight before coming forward at your waist to slam the ball down slightly in front of your feet.

There are a few tips to avoid entering a poor posture: As you raise the medicine ball above your head, avoid excessive extension in your spine by not bringing the ball behind your body. As you slam the ball down, do not allow your chest to finish facing the ground — remain at a slight angle.

Benefits of the Medicine Ball Overhead Slam

  • Coiling and uncoiling from the overhead position increases core strength and power output.
  • The exercise trains your core musculature, lats, and shoulders.
  • It can be repeated for multiple repetitions as part of metabolic conditioning.

Medicine Ball Keg Toss 

The medicine ball keg toss is the “reverse” motion of the medicine ball overhead slam. In this variation, you’ll be using a lot more of your legs to generate power and strength as you throw the ball above your head and up to the sky behind you.

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A focus on pushing through the ground with your legs will result in larger ground reaction force (more power) and higher, farther tosses.

How to Do the Medicine Ball Keg Toss

Start in a base position with feet hip-width apart and your arms straight with palms cupping the medicine ball near your waist. Perform a quick quarter- to half-squat with your arms straight. Explode from that partial squat position through your legs to triple-extend (using your ankles, knees, and hips) as you send your arms up and back for the toss. Make sure you have plenty of free, unobstructed, unused space behind you.

Benefits of the Medicine Ball Keg Toss

  • The movement mimics Olympic lifting movements with triple extension, which helps build explosiveness through your lower body musculature.
  • Repeating the keg toss for multiple repetitions can develop lower body endurance. 

Medicine Ball Figure-8 Overhead Slam 

One benefit of training with a medicine ball rather than a barbell or dumbbell is the ability to train in the transverse plane — with rotation. The medicine ball figure-8 overhead slam checks off a few boxes including learning how to shift weight, how to transfer force from the ground through your entire body into your arms, and it works a ton of muscles in a power-specific movement. 

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The medicine ball figure-8 overhead slam requires patience and some coordination unlike some other more straightforward medicine ball movements.

How to Do the Medicine Ball Figure-8 Overhead Slam

Start in a base-position with both feet shoulder-width apart — keep your knees softly bent, your hips engaged, and cradle a medicine ball in front of your body at hip-height. Begin by shifting your weight slowly from side to side while making an “infinity loop” or figure-8 pattern with the medicine ball.

When you’re ready, focus on going down on one loop and shift your weight to the side you want to throw from. Take the ball through a long movement from one hip, over your head, and powerfully slam it to the ground just outside your opposite foot. As you release the ball, pivot on your feet as you turn in to follow through with the slam.

Benefits of the Medicine Ball Figure-8 Overhead Slam

  • Increases rotational power output for rotational athletes like tennis, hockey, and volleyball players, baseball pitchers, boxers, jiujitsu, and combat sport athletes.
  • Recruits your glutes, adductors, obliques, lats, and shoulder muscles in an integrated movement.

Supine Medicine Ball Chest Throw 

The supine medicine ball chest throw is one of the very few medicine ball movements where you will find yourself lying on your back on the floor. This ballistic movement is focused on a powerful concentric (pushing) movement and a safe catch. It can also be paired with a partner’s catch and release for consistent repetitions.

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Because you’re on the floor, you’re limited to strict chest, shoulder, and arm power without the aid of your core or lower body. However, the objective behind the movement stays the same as with every other medicine ball exercise mentioned so far: perform it with intention and aggressive explosiveness.

How to Do the Supine Medicine Ball Chest Throw

A supine position means you will be on the floor, flat on your back. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Hold the medicine ball with both hands underneath the ball and set your elbows slightly out to the side.

In one motion, explosively extend your arms and launch the medicine ball in a straight line over your chest while keeping your feet and head on the ground. If the trajectory is straight up, you should be able to carefully catch the ball and repeat for more repetitions. 

Benefits of the Supine Medicine Ball Chest Throw

  • Can improve upper body power and boost your explosiveness on bench press movements.
  • Works your shoulders and triceps and, if caught successively or used with a partner catching the ball and dropping it from a standing height, can be used for metabolic power conditioning. 

Swiss Ball Medicine Ball Overhead Throw 

One of the more advanced exercises on this list is the Swiss ball medicine ball overhead throw. This is an amazing exercise that can be used to develop power in an even more ballistic effort than a standard overhead throw while also requiring more total-body stabilization due to the Swiss ball’s inherent instability.

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As a precaution, anyone performing the Swiss ball medicine ball overhead throw should have a decent level of core strength and no current issues with their shoulders or low back.

How to Do the Swiss Ball Medicine Ball Overhead Throw

Sit on a Swiss ball and roll a little bit forward to support your hips and low back on the ball. Bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the floor. Hold the medicine ball with both hands at chest level. If you are on a turfed or carpeted floor surface, use weight plates or dumbbells on the floor so that you can push your toes into a stable base to prevent any sliding. 

Lean your torso back and extend your arms above your head. Your temporary loaded stretch position should have your chest facing slightly up and your hips in a neutral position. To begin the throw, initially create tension through your hip flexors, followed by flexing your body as you rise back up (similar to a sit-up).

The momentum of the forward motion should bring you upright as you release the medicine ball above your head and forward to your target. Avoid having the ball travel upward and focus on sending the ball in the direction your toes are pointed

Benefits of the Swiss Ball Medicine Ball Overhead Throw

  • Strengthens and builds power in your hip flexors, rectus abdominis, shoulders, and lats.
  • This advanced movement is excellent for javelin throwers, tennis, baseball, and volleyball players, jiujitsu, and MMA athletes.

Split-Stance Medicine Ball Chop 

Most people love performing power-based movements like medicine ball training because of the ballistic nature of throwing or slamming resistance around. However, the split-stance medicine ball chop very quickly teaches that you cannot express force and power efficiently without having stability and proper interlimb coordination.

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The unique stance will involve your lower body for a greater stability challenge. You can perform this variation either parallel to a wall or with a partner to return the ball.

How to Do the Split-Stance Medicine Ball Chop

Start in a split-stance or lunge-type position with your front foot farther from the wall and your back foot slightly closer to the wall. Slightly bend both knees.

Hold to the medicine ball with both hands, lift your arms up at a roughly 45-degree angle above your outside shoulder. In one fast motion, go diagonally down and across your body, aiming the throw toward the ground between the wall and your front foot. This should allow the ball to bounce off the ground to the wall. If using a wall instead of a partner, be ready to catch and receive the ball.

Benefits of the Split-Stance Medicine Ball Chop

  • Engages your core in a transverse (rotational) pattern that activates your obliques, lats, and hips.
  • Challenges your lower extremities to remain stiff and stable to transfer force.

Alternating Medicine Ball Perpendicular Scoop 

In some cases, it can be hard to make a medicine ball exercise more suitable for metabolic conditioning. With the alternating medicine ball perpendicular scoop, you can focus on power and conditioning at the same time.

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The “perpendicular” position simply means that you’re directly facing your target versus facing away at a 90-degree angle. You can choose to go heavier for more strength adaptations or relatively lighter for more power and conditioning. 

How to Do the Alternating Medicine Ball Perpendicular Scoops

Start with a medicine ball cupped with both hands. Stand closer than other exercises, facing toward the wall you will throw to. Assume a base-stance position facing the wall with your feet at hip-width distance, your hips pushed slightly back, and your knees softly bent. 

Shift the ball towards one hip and, when you’re ready, “scoop” the medicine ball towards the wall at a slight angle. The ball should bounce off the wall toward your opposite side, where you can safely and quickly catch it. Receive the medicine ball and move with both hands toward your pocket to eccentrically load your body. Come back out with another throw at a similar angle to return the ball back to your starting side. Repeat at a steady pace for the intended repetitions

Benefits of the Alternating Medicine Ball Perpendicular Scoops

  • The front-facing position engages your glutes and obliques for power and rotation in each repetition.
  • This movement can be efficiently used as part of a metabolic circuit with other exercises for conditioning.

Medicine Ball Hollow Body Rocker 

Most medicine ball exercises have you actively throwing or releasing the ball during each repetition. This is one of the few medicine ball exercises that will not require you to throw the ball at all.

YouTube Video

The medicine ball hollow body rocker is a tough core exercise that requires stiffness from your entire body while supporting the medicine ball in an overhead position.

How to Do the Medicine Ball Hollow Body Rocker

Begin by lying down with your back on the floor while holding a relatively light medicine ball. Cup the medicine ball over your head with your elbows slightly bent. Enter a “hollow body position” — keep your legs slightly bent and lift them roughly 30 to 45-degrees off the ground while also lifting your shoulders off the ground. Your body should be “balanced” on your rear hips, glutes, and tailbone.

Keep a stiff position as you try to rock your body slightly forward and backward shifting weight from your legs to your shoulders. Maintain the hollow body position from your hips to your ribs, keeping your core tight. Keep rocking back and forth for either time or total repetitions.

Benefits of the Medicine Ball Hollow Body Rocker

  • This advanced core exercise with a medicine ball can build muscle and strength in your core, specifically, your rectus abdominis.
  • Develop endurance with stiffness with your core while holding an overhead position. This can lead to improvements in compound movements that require stiffness in your trunk and ribs such as deadlifts, squats, and overhead presses.

Benefits of Medicine Ball Training

Medicine ball training is usually seen inside strength and conditioning facilities with the specific intention of helping athletes achieve greater power output. (2) However, lifters of every skill and training age can benefit from using medicine ball exercises in their training program and routine.

Research has shown that the ability to produce force and muscle power is a better predictor of functioning in older adults rather than muscular strength or cardiovascular endurance. (3) The explosive nature of medicine ball training also offers a unique stimulus to build endurance and conditioning compared to more traditional methods such as treadmill running. 

How to Program Medicine Ball Exercises

Medicine ball exercises can be utilized as part of a warm-up routine, a separate sport-specific training section, or as a primer prior to your strength work. They can be integrated as part of a superset or a larger circuit, or the exercises can be used at the end of a workout as part of metabolic conditioning.

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The weight of the medicine ball also plays a large role as to whether you will be using a relatively heavier weight to develop more strength-building force or a lighter ball to work on power output and conditioning. A difference of even two pounds could significantly increase the time between moving your body and the sound of the impact when it comes to throwing the medicine ball.

Most medicine ball exercises can be programmed for two to three sets. Depending on the movement, you can expect to perform anywhere between five and 10 repetitions per side. Remember that more repetitions require more energy and, if your goal is to build power, focus on quality over quantity. Reset between each individual repetition and focus on maximum output. Expect a decrease of power over a short period of time if you perform in succession multiple repetitions.

How to Warm-Up with a Medicine Ball

A medicine ball can be used as part of a warm-up and as part of a primer sequence to excite your central nervous system and increase awareness as part of overall potentiation. Prior to any strength training, try this circuit with a relatively light medicine ball, typically around four to six pounds. Perform two sets, with one minute of rest between sets.

  • Medicine Ball Scoops: Stay parallel to your target and focus on short backswings as you rotate. If you’re throwing the medicine ball to a wall, make sure you’re not too close to catch the rebound safely. Perform five to eight repetitions before switching to the opposite side.
  • Medicine Ball Overhead Slams: Set up with your feet hip-width apart. Your target should be on the floor right in front of you. Focus on catching the rebound of the medicine ball and go up with momentum as the ball bounces from the ground. Repeat in succession for 10 repetitions.
  • Split-Stance Medicine Ball Chop: Start with a parallel, split-stance or “lunge” position next to a wall. Place your inside leg forward and your outside leg back. Start from the outside shoulder and throw the ball across your body to the floor near the wall. The angle produced by the throw should have the medicine ball bounce off the ground to the wall and back to you. Perform five repetitions per side.
  • Alternating Medicine Ball Perpendicular Scoops: Face a wall in a base position, flexing at your hips and softly bending your knees in a ready position. Throw the medicine ball from your outside hip toward the wall at an angle so that it hits the wall in front of you and bounces toward your opposite hip. Catch and repeat with a tempo that is both controllable and explosive. Perform five repetitions on each side.

Upgrade Your Medicine Ball Experience

If you have overlooked using medicine balls as part of your training program, you might have been missing out on developing athleticism, improving power, or improving metabolic conditioning. Medicine ball training isn’t just for athletes. It’s a training method that creates a different stimulus than standard issue gym training. You don’t even need to be inside a gym — grab a medicine ball and get outside to start seeing benefits.

References

  1. Faigenbaum, A. D., & Mediate, P. (2006). Effects of medicine ball training on fitness performance of high school physical education students. Physical Educator, 63(3), 160.
  2. Earp, J. E., & Kraemer, W. J. (2010). Medicine ball training implications for rotational power sports. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 32(4), 20-25.
  3. Thompson, C. J. (2016). MEDICINE BALL POWER TRAINING EXERCISES FOR OLDER ADULTS. ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal, 20(5), 41-43.

Featured Image: Jacob Lund / Shutterstock

The post The 10 Best Medicine Ball Exercises for Power, Conditioning, and More appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Everyone knows vegetables and fruits are good for you, but not everyone consumes the daily recommended amounts of them. Some people are too busy to cook, and others simply don’t like the taste of certain fruits and vegetables. In these scenarios, a greens powder supplement such as AG1 can replenish the daily nutrients you may miss.

AG1 contains 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced nutrients that can help support gut health, immunity, mental clarity, and cardiovascular health. However, with prices starting at around $2.48 per serving, this supplement may not be the most cost-effective way to get the nutrients your body needs. It also may not be safe for everyone to consume. In this AG1 review, I’ll break down the main ingredients in AG1 and their benefits to help you decide if this supplement is right for you. I’ll also discuss who AG1 is and isn’t good for and provide a list of factors to consider before buying it.

Key Takeaways

  • AG1 is vegan, keto- and Paleo-friendly, and contains less than one gram of naturally occurring sugar per serving.
  • This greens powder is free from GMOs, added sugars, pesticides, herbicides, and animal byproducts.
  • Those who have chronic health issues or take prescription medications should speak with a doctor before taking AG1. Some of its ingredients may worsen certain conditions or make your medication less effective.


AG1


Starts at $2.48 per serving

AG1 is a comprehensive greens powder with 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced nutrients that can support immune, digestive, and brain health; promote stronger hair and nails; and help you feel a boost in energy.


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AG1 Pros and Cons

Pros

  • AG1 is NSF Certified for Sport, making it suitable for drug-tested athletes or anyone who is concerned about the safety and quality of their supplements.
  • This greens powder has hints of vanilla, papaya, and pineapple, a welcome benefit for those who enjoy fruity and tropical flavors.
  • In addition to the 75 nutrients one serving of AG1 provides, it has probiotics and digestive enzymes, which can help support gut health and ensure better nutrient absorption.

Cons

  • With prices starting at around $2.48 per serving, AG1 is one of the most expensive greens powders on the market.
  • AG1 contains some proprietary blends, so you can’t be certain that you’re taking effective doses of all of its ingredients.
  • Once you open a pouch of AG1, you have to refrigerate it to preserve the probiotics. This can make traveling with it difficult, and while travel sticks of AG1 are available to purchase, they are more expensive than a single bag.

AG1 Overview

AG1 is a comprehensive greens powder that supplies 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole-food sourced nutrients in one scoop. It also contains dairy-free probiotics, adaptogens — which can help the body adapt to stress — and superfood blends. Notable vitamins and minerals in AG1 include vitamins A, C, E, several of the B vitamins, and zinc. Its superfood blends include ingredients such as chlorella, spirulina, ashwagandha, spinach powder, and beetroot powder. All in all, you get 12 servings of vegetables, a host of antioxidants, and 7.2 billion colony forming units (CFU, or the number of active microorganisms) of probiotics in each scoop.

AG1 is gluten- and dairy-free and suitable for vegans, paleo followers, and keto dieters. It doesn’t contain artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors, and there is less than one gram of sugar per serving.

Who Is AG1 Good For?

  • For those who don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables or take a multivitamin, AG1 can help provide a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals they may miss in their diets.
  • People who don’t eat breakfast regularly but want to start their day on the right foot may benefit from a green powder like AG1. The company recommends taking the powder in the morning on an empty stomach, so it can help energize you if you normally skip breakfast.
  • Athletes who believe eating more greens can aid performance may want to consider a greens powder like AG1. It contains ingredients that can help with recovery times and reduce muscle soreness.

Who Is AG1 Not Good For?

  • Individuals with health concerns such as kidney disease or lupus may want to avoid AG1, as some of its ingredients may worsen those conditions.
  • Children under the age of 18 should not take AG1 because the quantities of some of its vitamins and minerals may be too much for young people.
  • Anyone who wants a budget-friendly greens powder or one that offers full transparency into its formulation may want to consider another option. AG1 can cost as much as $3.30 per serving and contains some proprietary blends, so you don’t know how much of each ingredient you’re consuming.

AG1 In-Depth Review

AG1 is one of the most expensive greens supplements out there. You pay a premium price for the extensive ingredients list, which supplies high quantities of the vitamins and minerals needed for overall health and wellness. Plus, you get probiotics and various herbs and extracts that can support digestion and promote healthier skin and nails.

AG1 Ingredients and Formulation

Since one serving of AG1 contains 75 vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, it would be impossible to discuss the benefits of all of them in this article. Instead, I’ve highlighted some of the most noteworthy ingredients and their benefits below.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A plays an important role in supporting vision health and the immune system. (1)(2)

In one scoop of AG1, you get 62 percent of the daily recommended value of vitamin A.

B Vitamins

The B vitamins in AG1 include:

  • Thiamin (B1)
  • Riboflavin (B2)
  • Niacin (B3)
  • Pantothenic acid (B5)
  • Pyridoxine (B6)
  • Biotin (B7)
  • Folate (B9)
  • Methylcobalamin (B12)

These vitamins can help promote skin and hair growth and are necessary for physiological functions such as red blood cell production. They also help the body convert food into energy. (3)

Each serving of AG1 contains well over 100 percent of the recommended daily values of B vitamins.

Vitamin C

Most people know that vitamin C can help support immunity. This important vitamin can also help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and relieve post-workout muscle soreness. (4)(5)(6)

One scoop of AG1 offers 467 percent of the daily recommended value of vitamin C.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E may have antioxidant properties that can protect against cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and other conditions. (7)

A scoop of AG1 has 553 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin E. High amounts of vitamin E may negatively interact with certain medications, though, so it’s important to speak with your physician before taking AG1 if you take any prescription medicines.

Zinc

It’s common for people who don’t consume animal products to be deficient in zinc, as meat, fish, and seafood contain high quantities of it. However, this important mineral can help support the immune system and repair damaged tissue. (8)

A one-scoop serving of AG1 supplies 136 percent of the recommended daily value of zinc.

Alkaline, Nutrient-Dense, Raw Superfood Complex

Each serving of AG1 contains 7,388 milligrams of this antioxidant complex, which includes spirulina, chlorella, and wheat grass. These ingredients may help prevent diseases such as cancer, dementia, and high cholesterol. (9)(10)(11)

Nutrient Dense Natural Extracts, Herbs, and Antioxidants

This blend contains 2,732 milligrams of extracts from dandelion root, Rhodiola, milk thistle seed extract, and other plants and herbs. They may help support liver health, improve brain function, and protect against chronic diseases and inflammation. (12)(13)(14)

This complex also contains CoQ10, which stands for Coenzyme Q10, a compound that helps produce energy in the cells. The body produces CoQ10 on its own, but taking supplements with CoQ10 may have additional benefits. For example, studies have shown that it may reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer. (15)

Digestive Enzymes and Super Mushroom Complex

This blend includes ingredients like reishi mushroom powder, shiitake mushroom powder, and bromelain. Reishi and shiitake mushrooms are known for helping boost the immune system, while bromelain — an enzyme derived from the pineapple plant — may aid nutrient absorption. (16)(17)(18)

There are 154 milligrams of this complex in one serving of AG1.

Dairy Free Probiotics

A scoop of AG1 supplies 7.2 billion CFU of probiotics, including lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum. Probiotics are “good” bacteria that help your digestive system function properly. They can help provide relief from digestive issues such as minor cases of diarrhea or more chronic conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). (20)(21)

Taste and Texture

AG1 contains vegetables and plants in powdered form and doesn’t have any real or artificial sweeteners. It won’t taste like a decadent milkshake or a sweet fruit smoothie. But after trying it, our review staff reported that it was one of the best tasting greens powders they’ve tried, and it tasted much less like grass and dirt than others. I’ve heard from other customers that there are faint notes of pineapple, papaya, and vanilla, so you may enjoy the taste if you like those flavors.

In terms of texture, AG1 can be gritty, even after mixing it in a blender or shaker bottle. If you are turned off by certain textures in your food, you may want to consider another greens powder that blends better and has a smoother consistency.

Cost Breakdown

The cost of AG1 varies, depending on where you buy it and whether or not you subscribe for auto-deliveries.

On the AG1 website, you can buy a package with 30 servings for around $99 ($3.30 per serving). The price drops to $79 ($2.63 per serving) if you subscribe to auto-deliveries every 30 days. You can also choose a double subscription for around $149 per month and get 60 servings shipped to you monthly. This option equals about $2.48 per serving. If you prefer individual packages instead of one large pouch, you can buy a box of 30 travel packs, which start at around $89.

AG1 is available on Amazon, but I don’t recommend buying it there unless you have a Prime membership and are in a hurry to get it. There, one pouch costs about $133 or $4.43 per serving.

Third-Party Testing

AG1 is NSF Certified for Sport, meaning an independent lab tests the supplement to ensure its quality and safety. This makes it safe for athletes in drug-tested sports and helps give peace of mind to the general population that the greens powder doesn’t contain ingredients they may not want to put in their bodies.

How To Use AG1

AG1 recommends taking its supplement on an empty stomach first thing in the morning in eight to 10 ounces of cold water, about 10 to 15 minutes before eating your first meal. If you can’t stomach the taste of the powder in plain water, you can try mixing it in juice instead. Orange juice or other fruit juices work well. I also know of many people who mix AG1 with whey protein powder to help improve the taste.

Factors To Consider Before Buying AG1

AG1 touts many health benefits. Still, that doesn’t mean you should jump right in and buy it without considering how its ingredients may affect you. There are many things to think about before making your purchase. I’ll discuss those factors below so you can feel confident in your decision to buy or not buy AG1.

Cost

AG1 is expensive. One pouch starts at around $79 for a monthly subscription or around $99 for a one-time purchase, and you only get 30 servings per bag. That equals about $2.60 to $3.30 per serving. You may be able to justify the price if you’re severely lacking in essential nutrients and can’t stomach whole fruits and vegetables. But those on tight budgets may want to pass on AG1 and get their nutrients from whole food sources — or consider a cheaper greens powder — instead.

Allergies and Dietary Considerations

AG1 is suitable for vegans and those who follow paleo diets. It’s free from common allergens, such as gluten, eggs, dairy, peanuts, and lactose. There are also no GMOs, herbicides, or pesticides, so you can rest assured that AG1 contains only the highest-quality ingredients.

However, AG1 contains other nutrients, like niacin, that may cause allergic reactions in certain individuals. If you experience side effects such as a rash, itchy skin, or a tingling sensation on the skin, you should stop taking AG1 because you may be allergic to something in its formulation.

Refrigeration

Once you open a bag of AG1, you need to keep it in the fridge to preserve the probiotics and other whole-food-sourced ingredients in the powder. You can’t just leave a bag that’s already been opened on your desk at work or throw it in a duffel bag when you travel.

The company sells travel sticks of its AG1 powder for around $89 for a 30-day supply, though. You may want to consider these if you know you’ll struggle to remember to store the larger bag in the fridge. Because they’re individually sealed, the travel packs are more shelf-stable.

Potential Side Effects

You may notice some unwanted side effects, such as nausea, bloating, gassiness, or diarrhea, when you first start taking AG1. These are more likely if you aren’t used to consuming a lot of vegetables.

If you’re concerned about the potential side effects, you can start with a quarter or half of a scoop and gradually increase the dosage over a few days. This way, your body can slowly acclimate to all the nutrients in this green juice powder.

Current Diet

If you already consume large amounts of produce or take a multivitamin, AG1 may not be necessary. In fact, it can cause you to consume much more than the daily recommended values of certain vitamins and minerals, which can cause health concerns. For example, toxic amounts of vitamin E — more than 1,000 milligrams per day — may lead to major bleeding events. (22)

One serving of AG1 only contains 83 milligrams of vitamin E, so it’s unlikely that the supplement alone would cause an overdose of that nutrient. But if you consume large amounts of foods high in vitamin E, such as almonds or sunflower seeds, and take AG1 on top of that, you may get closer to the toxic limit.

The same may be true for other vitamins that AG1 contains high amounts of, like zinc (136 percent of the daily recommended value). Therefore, if you already eat multiple servings of fruits and vegetables every day or take other vitamins, you may want to avoid a greens powder like AG1.

Scientific Research

While several studies show the potential benefits of some of the individual ingredients in AG1, few evaluate the safety and effectiveness of those ingredients combined. There are also no studies that analyze AG1 specifically. However, some studies suggest a link between herbal and dietary supplements and health concerns such as hepatotoxicity (liver injury). (23)

Therefore, it’s important to do your research on the individual ingredients in AG1 so you can weigh the potential pros and cons before buying this greens powder.

Interactions With Medications

Some of the vitamins and minerals in AG1, such as vitamins E and K, may negatively interact with various prescription medications. (24)(25) If you are taking a prescription to treat a pre-existing condition, ask your doctor if AG1 is safe for you.

Examples of medications that AG1 may negatively interact with include:

  • Antibiotics
  • Birth control pills
  • Blood thinners
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Diabetes medications
  • Thyroid medications

Medical Conditions

While the vitamins and minerals in AG1 can help to improve your overall health and wellness, individuals with certain medical conditions may want to avoid taking it.

It’s important for everyone to consult with a physician before taking any vitamin or supplement, but a few key groups of people who should definitely do so before taking AG1 include:

  • Those with liver issues. Anecdotal reports suggest a correlation between daily AG1 consumption and high liver enzymes. High liver enzymes may indicate inflammation or damage to the liver. Therefore, if you have a history of liver issues, it’s best to speak with a doctor before using AG1.
  • Those with certain autoimmune diseases. AG1 contains alfalfa, which can increase inflammation in people with lupus and similar autoimmune conditions. (26)
  • Those with end-stage kidney disease. The potassium in AG1 may worsen kidney function in those with already impaired kidneys. (27
  • Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Greens powders like AG1 contain adaptogens, substances that help the body manage stress. Because adaptogens affect the body’s hormones, and pregnant and breastfeeding women may already experience significant hormonal changes, they may negatively impact the mother’s or baby’s health.

Furthermore, anyone under the age of 18 should not take AG1, as the amounts of some of its vitamins and minerals may be excessive for children.

Flavor Options

AG1 doesn’t come in flavors. It has an earthy taste that may be off-putting to some, though there are hints of vanilla, pineapple, and papaya. You can make the taste more palatable by blending the powder with juice or mixing it with a scoop of whey protein powder.

Proprietary Blends

AG1 offers more transparency into its formulation than many other supplement brands, but the company still uses some proprietary blends and doesn’t disclose how much of each ingredient is in each serving.

For example, the AG1 nutrition label includes 7,388 milligrams of an alkaline, nutrient-dense raw superfood complex with ingredients like spirulina, wheat grass, and chlorella powder. However, you don’t know exactly how much of those three ingredients make up the 7,388 milligrams of the complex.

Without a full level of transparency, you won’t know if you’re consuming clinically effective doses of each ingredient. This can also be an issue if you have sensitivities to certain ingredients because you may consume excessive amounts that can trigger unwanted side effects.

Missing Nutrients

Despite having high amounts of many essential nutrients, AG1 lacks iron, which is needed for red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body, and vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. Many people tend to be deficient in vitamin D and iron. If you’re one of them, you may need to take separate supplements to meet your needs.

AG1 vs. Jocko Greens

Jocko Greens is another popular superfood powder that may offer many of the same benefits as AG1 at a cheaper price. It costs about $1.77 per serving, almost half the price per serving of AG1. The ingredients list isn’t as extensive, but Jocko Greens also contains probiotics, adaptogens, and various fruits, vegetables, and extracts that can help support digestive health and the immune system and improve the body’s ability to handle stress.

The main benefit of Jocko Greens over AG1 is that the label is fully transparent. Jocko Greens doesn’t hide any of its ingredients behind proprietary blends, so you know how much of each you’re consuming. It’s also available in two flavors — peach and coconut pineapple — which can help make the powder more palatable.

AG1 vs. Primal Greens

Primal Greens is a greens supplement made by Primal Harvest, a brand that takes a science-based approach to delivering high-quality supplements. It contains more than 50 superfoods, including chlorella, ashwagandha, wheatgrass, and reishi mushrooms. This is less than the 75 ingredients you’ll find in AG1 but still more than many other greens powders on the market.

Like AG1, Primal Greens doesn’t come in flavored varieties. It has an earthy taste and may not be the best greens powder if you’re looking for something with less of a grassy flavor. It also has proprietary blends, which is something to consider if you’re looking for a supplement with a fully transparent label. But with prices starting at around $1.33 per serving, it can be a cost-effective alternative to AG1 for those on tight budgets.

AG1 vs. Beyond Greens

Beyond Greens has a much smaller ingredient list than AG1, but it comes with a more affordable price point that starts at around $0.83 per serving. It also offers a more transparent label, so you can see how much of each ingredient you get in one serving. For example, you can see that one serving provides 200 milligrams of milk thistle seed, which AG1 has in its powder but hides behind a proprietary blend.

Beyond Greens is dairy-, shellfish-, soy-, and gluten-free and contains no GMOs or preservatives, so it suits a wide range of dietary needs. It has a slight matcha taste, which you may enjoy if you’re a fan of matcha tea. However, this super greens powder is sweetened with stevia, which can taste bitter to some people. If you’re not a fan of stevia, you may want to consider another greens powder alternative.

Final Verdict: Is AG1 Worth It?

AG1 likely isn’t worth it if you already eat a balanced diet or take a multivitamin. It can cost up to $3.30 per serving, and while you do get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced nutrients in each scoop, you can get most of the nutrients your body needs from fruits and vegetables for a cheaper price.

That said, if you’re frequently on the go and don’t have a way to conveniently cook or store vegetables, or if you can’t stomach the taste of them, a greens supplement like AG1 can help you increase your intake of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Before you make the investment, talk to your physician, especially if you are on prescription medication or have a pre-existing condition. AG1 may interact with medications or worsen certain health issues, and your doctor can help determine if it’s safe for you.

FAQs

Is AG1 actually good for you?

AG1 can be a good way to consume more greens if you don’t normally consume the daily recommended amounts of vegetables. It contains 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced nutrients that can help support a busy lifestyle and replenish your daily micronutrients. However, it may not be necessary if you eat lots of fruits and vegetables every day, as you may already be getting sufficient amounts of vital nutrients from your diet.
It’s also important to note that some ingredients in AG1 are hidden in proprietary blends, so you can’t tell if you’re getting clinically effective doses.

What does AG1 do to your body?

AG1 can help improve your focus, support better digestion, and promote healthy aging and better hair, skin, and nails due to the presence of probiotics, ingredients like ashwagandha, and nutrients like vitamin C. However, it should not be used as a substitute for eating whole fruits and vegetables.

How much does AG1 cost?

On the AG1 website, AG1 costs about $99 for a one-time purchase of a 30-serving bag, about $79 for a monthly subscription of 30 servings, or around $149 for a monthly subscription of 60 servings. You can also purchase 30 individual travel packs for around $109. If you sign up for auto deliveries for the travel packs, you’ll pay around $89 per month for 30 servings or $169 per month for 60 servings.
On Amazon, one bag of AG1 costs around $133 or $4.43 per serving.

References

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