Conditioning with tires (flipping, dragging etc)

[ZGSON]

Hey I posted this on EZA/Joels site with pretty much no response. But I know a lot of folks here use his methods. Has anyone incorporated large tractor tires, or even smaller ones ALA Houlton Alexander throwing tires up a hill, in to your training using Joels methods? I'd be interested in different ideas using tires. I used a roughly 400lb tractor tire the other day for the Cardiac Power method. We basically just flipped the tire for 60 seconds, then would take a 2 min break...repeat several times. So if you've used them succesfully based on the different methods/energy system training, post it here, thanks.

 

[cmonreally]

The guy in that video only uses smaller car/truck tires.

At practice, I have flipped tires from point A to point B, racing a teammate. Usually took about 40seconds. I personally have always used tire flipping as a conditioning tool, never used it for strength gains. I have done the exercise that Houston Alexander does in the tapout commercial, its kind of a cool exercise. Its hard to find a tire just the right weight. I have never done any tire pulling. Why not just make a sled and add weight to it? seems easer.

 

[ZGSON]

The guy in that video only uses smaller car/truck tires.

At practice, I have flipped tires from point A to point B, racing a teammate. Usually took about 40seconds. I personally have always used tire flipping as a conditioning tool, never used it for strength gains. I have done the exercise that Houston Alexander does in the tapout commercial, its kind of a cool exercise. Its hard to find a tire just the right weight. I have never done any tire pulling. Why not just make a sled and add weight to it? seems easer.

Planning on having a friend weld me one. Just using it as an example.

My worries with the tire flipping, was that with the heavier ones (400lbs+), it might become more of a strength exercise than more for conditioning. I was able to keep flipping it for 60 seconds, so I suppose it wasn't.

 

[EZA]

I just responded on my own forum, but in general I think tires are better suited for strength/power training than conditioning. You can use a sledgehammer and get in some interval work but in general with something as heavy as a tire you're better off sticking to strength/power training with it.

Guys get too sloppy with technique as they fatigue and low backs usually pay the price. The last thing you want is a bunch of repeated spinal flexion against a heavy load over and over again. The frequency is also usually far too low to use for most methods and it's definitely not what you want to be doing for cardiac power intervals, where you're trying to hit max heart rate.

 

[ZGSON]

I just responded on my own forum, but in general I think tires are better suited for strength/power training than conditioning. You can use a sledgehammer and get in some interval work but in general with something as heavy as a tire you're better off sticking to strength/power training with it.

Guys get too sloppy with technique as they fatigue and low backs usually pay the price. The last thing you want is a bunch of repeated spinal flexion against a heavy load over and over again. The frequency is also usually far too low to use for most methods and it's definitely not what you want to be doing for cardiac power intervals, where you're trying to hit max heart rate.

Ahh, thanks, I see that now. Thanks for your response on both forums.

And you have confirmed my worry, that I was doing more of a strength type workout as opposed to conditioning. My HR did get up fairly high, but likely not as high as just doing all out sprints for 60 sec straight. Unfortunately I didn't have my HR monitor with me that day and I did both. Just judging it off how I felt.

 

[cmonreally]

I just responded on my own forum, but in general I think tires are better suited for strength/power training than conditioning. You can use a sledgehammer and get in some interval work but in general with something as heavy as a tire you're better off sticking to strength/power training with it.

I disagree. I dont really think flipping tires is that great for strength training, and let me explain myself:

1. With exercises like deadlift and squat, you can add 2.5lbs or 5lbs each workout, and have progression. Do you wanna buy a 400lb tire 405lb tire 410lbtire etc? It would get too expensive.

2. With only a 400lb tire, the workouts would eventually turn into conditioning.

3. I think strength training with a barbell is just all around superior.

However, hammer swings are a great strength workout.

I definately dont think tire flipping is one of the best conditioning tools, but i still think its a good one. Just make sure your form is great. with a 400lb tire, it would most likely be a muscle endurance workout not much cardio.

 

[cmonreally]

Planning on having a friend weld me one. Just using it as an example.

My worries with the tire flipping, was that with the heavier ones (400lbs+), it might become more of a strength exercise than more for conditioning. I was able to keep flipping it for 60 seconds, so I suppose it wasn't.

Well, 19reps is strength, and 20 is conditioning. In my oppinion the line between strength and conditioning is hard to find.

 

[ZGSON]

Well, 19reps is strength, and 20 is conditioning. In my oppinion the line between strength and conditioning is hard to find.

I'm open to all views on strength and conditioning...but where did you get these numbers from?

 

[cmonreally]

I'm open to all views on strength and conditioning...but where did you get these numbers from?

it was just a joke. some people draw this thin line between strength and conditioning.

 

[ZGSON]

it was just a joke. some people draw this thin line between strength and conditioning.

Ah, gotcha.

 

[cmonreally]

Planning on having a friend weld me one. Just using it as an example.

I made one out of wood and a few bolts and pipes very easily. might take a picture and post it. It works great, i just gotta make sure the grass i do it on is fairly smooth, and i wouldn't recommend putting 150lbs+ on it.

 

[Morganation]

Im actually looking to scooping up a tire to throw around in my back yard.Good thread.