Do medicine ball throws/slams provide a similar workout to wood chopping?

[LJD]

I've been training in MMA for a few years, focusing more on boxing and wrestling as my bases. I love punching, so I'd like to focus some of my training every day or every other day on developing that, in addition to the technique work I already do. I do have an MMA gym I go to where I get good instruction and work on my technique quite a bit, this is just to supplement that.

I know some of the old school boxers chopped wood, living in an urban area unfortunately that's not really an option for me. At my old gym I used to hit a tire with a sledgehammer quite a bit, but I recently moved and changed gyms and my new gym doesn't have that setup. Would getting a medicine ball and using it for throws and slams be a good substitute? And if so, how big a medicine ball is recommended? I'm about 6'3, 200 lbs, right now, I'm pretty lean so I'm gonna be bulking back up to about 215-220 over the next 6 months.

Also, if anyone has any other good exercise recommendations for my routine I'd appreciate it. I can punch hard, but I want to keep developing that to maximize my potential, plus I figure explosive exercises like the ones I've mentioned could help me combine speed and power better, as my hand speed is average most of the time. Anyways like I said, any advice/exercises are appreciated.

 

[matt0331]

Usually those truck tires are pretty cheap used. Cheap as in free. I found mine at the dump. Another options would be to talk to the parks department and see if you could get a big log. Both of those depend on you having the space to store it and a method to transport.

 

[ThePitBull32]

Yes, medicine ball slams are a great alternative, unless you are training to be a lumberjack. I actually prefern them because 1) less chance of hurting yourself, especially when you are fighting for the last few reps; and 2) it involves more leg action because you have to pick it up off the ground to start each rep.

As for weight, I use 30lbs - 100lbs. It depends on what your goals are.

 

[ripskater]

It's different. I chop wood to train for softball. It's very effective in my opinion. Medicine ball throws could be good too, but its just different. Depends on what you train for.

 

[RedNeckJiuJitsu]

Sledgehammering a tire would be better IMHO, but throwing the ball against a wall in a motion like punching is not a bad alternative. Clean and jerk and other strength training would be good as well.

 

[LJD]

Usually those truck tires are pretty cheap used. Cheap as in free. I found mine at the dump. Another options would be to talk to the parks department and see if you could get a big log. Both of those depend on you having the space to store it and a method to transport.

Thanks for the ideas, unfortunately like you said, I'd need a place to store whatever I got, and living in an apartment I don't really have a place to store a big tire or a log.

Yes, medicine ball slams are a great alternative, unless you are training to be a lumberjack. I actually prefern them because 1) less chance of hurting yourself, especially when you are fighting for the last few reps; and 2) it involves more leg action because you have to pick it up off the ground to start each rep.

As for weight, I use 30lbs - 100lbs. It depends on what your goals are.

Damn, sounds like you use some pretty heavy medicine balls. My primary goal is gaining punching power and speed. Since a punch is quick and explosive, I figure I'll probably need a medicine ball that provides some resistance, but still allows me to throw it around quickly. so maybe 20-40lbs.


Thanks for all the ideas everyone.