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Hammer Time!

Back in the old days, many boxers used to chop wood with an axe as a regular part of their conditioning routine.  Former heavyweight boxing champ George Foreman, one of the sports most devastating punchers, used to regularly chop wood.  He credited it with giving him almost superhuman punching power.  More recently, Floyd Mayweather Jr has been seen chopping wood.

Many of the same benefits from chopping wood can be gained by slamming a sledgehammer into a tractor tire.  It is one of my favorite conditioning exercises.  I also have my boxing trainees do it.  Hammering a tire works your shoulders, arms and upper-back muscles.  It also improves endurance and grip strength.  Not too many exercises can both shed fat, build muscle, and give you a powerful right cross at the same time.  It's also a great way to relieve stress!

I suggest you use a staggered stance the same as you would when fighting.  I have my boxers hammer the tire in both an orthodox and a southpaw stance.  So next time you find yourself in a gym with a sledgehammer and a tractor tire, have at it.  It's hammer time!!!




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