Wrecking Ball

D-balls are a timeless strength classic with modern benefits. Skip the noise of dodgy influencer advice and overhyped gimmicks and use the proven, no-nonsense training tools of the world's greatest athletes and strongmen.

- Photography by Byron Keulemans

300KG

That's the heaviest atlas stone ever lifted. It was achieved by world-renowned strongman Tom Stoltman, who also holds the record for the heaviest stone ever raised over a 120cm bar (286kg). These 55cm-diameter stone balls are arguably the most iconic test of strength and are hewn from either granite or concrete. The atlas stones are five heavy, spherical stones which increase in weight from 100 to 160kg and have served as the final test for most of the World's Strongest Man competitions since 1986. However, the heritage of lifting natural stones goes much further back, way before even the arrival of kettlebells and dumbbells. It has long been a measure of strength, fitness, health and manhood in the history of the world, having far-flung roots in places like Iceland, Scotland, Greece, Wales, Germany and parts of Asia, such as Japan. Greek physician Hippocrates was said to have used weighted balls to aid injury recovery in his patients (hence the term, "medicine ball"), while ancient gladiators used sand-filled bladders as strength and conditioning tools. Weighted balls were even seen in drawings of Persian wrestlers from 1000 B.C.

But what does this mean for you? Unlike isolated training exercises, lifting these objects off the floor is a compound challenge. It demands a symphony of coordinated effort across your body. It requires recruiting several muscle groups and stabiliser muscles to lift, shift and slam these heavy objects at speed. What you get for your reps: faster muscle growth, explosive power, fat loss and improved conditioning and core strength.