Pull, push, smash and grab your way to Flintstones fitness. This month: a strongman tyre flip that will have you deadlifting your way to monstrous levels of power and physical strength
By Jonathan Goodair, British GQ
Wrestling a tractor tyre off the floor and generating enough power to flip its 100 to 300kg weight will set you on the right track to new levels of total body strength. But before you go and square up to a monster truck tyre, it’s essential to refine your flipping technique using lighter versions first. You must also learn how to safely generate enough momentum at the start of the movement to get “under the tyre”, switch hand position and push it over with the heel of the hand without causing injury.
2) Place hands under the tyre, fingers spread wide. Hips should be pushed back with your head up, shoulders wide. Press your chest against the tyre.
3) Fix arms and shoulders in position, with elbows just slightly flexed.
4) Maintain a flat back and head-up posture as you drive powerfully up through the legs and hips.
Read next
5) Generate enough momentum during the initial lift to allow you to get under the tyre, switching from an underhand pull position to a pushing/pressing position using the heel of the hand.
6) Step forward and use your whole body to drive the tyre up and over.
7) Focus on flipping and lifting in one smooth action, working quickly and with good technique.
Rest for 60 seconds after each set. Perform 4 sets of 6 reps to start.
Tip: Focus on flipping and lifting in one smooth action, working quickly with good technique. And remember: always warm up thoroughly before attempting to flip a heavy tyre.
Wrestling a tractor tyre off the floor and generating enough power to flip its 100 to 300kg weight will set you on the right track to new levels of total body strength. But before you go and square up to a monster truck tyre, it’s essential to refine your flipping technique using lighter versions first. You must also learn how to safely generate enough momentum at the start of the movement to get “under the tyre”, switch hand position and push it over with the heel of the hand without causing injury.
Directions
1) Get set on a deep squat, with hips low and pushed back, feet shoulder-width apart. Make sure your knees and feet are aligned.2) Place hands under the tyre, fingers spread wide. Hips should be pushed back with your head up, shoulders wide. Press your chest against the tyre.
3) Fix arms and shoulders in position, with elbows just slightly flexed.
4) Maintain a flat back and head-up posture as you drive powerfully up through the legs and hips.
Read next
5) Generate enough momentum during the initial lift to allow you to get under the tyre, switching from an underhand pull position to a pushing/pressing position using the heel of the hand.
6) Step forward and use your whole body to drive the tyre up and over.
7) Focus on flipping and lifting in one smooth action, working quickly and with good technique.
Rest for 60 seconds after each set. Perform 4 sets of 6 reps to start.
Tip: Focus on flipping and lifting in one smooth action, working quickly with good technique. And remember: always warm up thoroughly before attempting to flip a heavy tyre.
