Some of the strongest people I’ve ever met have never stepped foot in a gym. They are welders or farmers—day laborers who spend their entire lives moving large loads quickly and efficiently. It stands to reason, then, that swinging a sledgehammer with intensity is an effective way to increase conditioning. Even better, it’s just a fun way to work out.
The interesting thing about sledgehammer strikes is that it’s hard to quantify how much work someone has done. One hundred strikes for one guy may not provide as much work as it would for another, making total reps irrelevant, and placing all the emphasis on putting in an honest and intense effort.
How To Do It:
The Progression
1. SETUP: Grab the top (close to the head) with your dominant hand and the bottom of the handle with your off hand. Stand about 12–18 inches away from the tire with your feet a little wider than hip width. Rotate your feet slightly so that your non-dominant side is closer to the tire than your dominant side.
2. WINDUP: Bring the hammer up and over your dominant shoulder in one continuous arc. Extend your hips, shoulders, and torso so that the sledge is now overhead.
3. HAMMER DOWN: Contract your abs and drive the head of the hammer into the tire, sliding your dominant hand down the handle so that it meets your opposite hand. Control the rebound after each strike. Perform equal reps using your non-dominant side.
Quick Tips
A 12-pound hammer is ideal for most guys, and old truck and tractor tires are the best striking surfaces—and can be acquired free (or very cheap) in most junkyards.
