Real world strength development.  No messing around, no BS commercial gym rules.  One barbell or on dumbbell and kick ass intensity.  That is all you need.  Don’t forget about the basics.

http://sandowplus.co.uk/Competition/Hoffman/wl/wl07b.htm

Here is the video that I promised for this previous post located here:

http://www.dieselcrew.com/tire-flipping-modification/

It is not hard to incorporate strongman training techniques in your athletes programs, but you have to make sure the technique is right.

Otherwise, the benefit will not outweigh the risks.

Key points:

- Do not deadlift the tire
- Keep arms straight
- Hips back
- Drive through the tire
- Do not deadlift the tire

If you are TOO CLOSE TO THE TIRE when flipping (i.e. deadlifting the tire) when you STAND UP you are in a bad spot and have to wrestle with the tire with your biceps. Also, a more athletic position starts with your hips back (in about a 45deg angle) and driving forward.

The video also demonstrates a quick way to modify a tire to make it easier for younger athletes or for tires with bad tread and low profiles.

Smitty

Most strength coaches teach tire flipping all wrong!

Are you in this group?

Do you tell your athletes to get real close to the tire, setup in a deadlift stance and lift.

WRONG!

You are immediately in a mechanical disadvantage, especially with a larger tire. To improve leg drive and explosiveness you have to setup with your feet and hips back and assume a posture at about a 45 degree incline.  If you are too close, after the initial lift, you’ll be fighting with the tire on your knee and with your biceps in a bad position.  Watch the pros, their hips are back and they drive the tire with their chest, not lift straight up.

Do you tell your athlete to lift straight up?

WRONG!

You have to drive through the tire with your chest, not lift with your arms. That is the first step in tearing or irritating your biceps.  And this will not work with a larger tire.  Your arms should be straight and with no degree of flexion.  You will get away with it with a smaller (lighter) tire, but you should drill good form so that as you progress to larger tires, you don’t run into problems.

VIDEO COMING…

Smitty

There is a HUGE sale happening right now, check out:

www.combatcorestrength.com

______________________________________________________

Also, the DVD has just been released – check out:

http://www.combatcorestrength.com/combat-core-dvd.htm

Smitty

Nick McKinless

Photo courtesy of beyondstrong.typepad.com

Tip #1 – Falling Forward in the Hole

- Keep elbows facing down

- Chest up, head up

- Keep weight on heels

- Force abdominals out, create intra-abdominal pressure with breathing

- Incorporate Anderson (bottoms-up) squats at various pin levels

- Incorporate RDL’s, back extensions, bent over rows, good mornings and pullthroughs

Tip #2 – Not Going Deep Enough

- Work on hip mobility

- Stretch and activate glutes / rectus femoris / psoas

- Work on ankle mobility

- Widen stance slightly, toes turned out, knees tracking over toes

- Incorporate more full range, single leg movements

- Just go lower!

Tip #3 – Upper Back Rounding / Shoulders & Elbows Hurting

- work on thoracic mobility

- develop upper back musculature

- technique, technique, technique

- improve scapular mobility and strength of serratus anterior

- utilize specialty barbells until improvement is seen from corrective exercises

- incorporate more rowing and external rotation movements

- check mobility of opposite hip and ankle

Smitty