Tire flipping basics

     Tires are becoming more and more popular within gyms. Tires for flipping, tires for sledgehammers, tires for sled drags, I have even seen half tires that are linked to a machine to ensure tires remain stationary. They are a nice change up to lifting with barbells and dumbbells. Are they a replacement for barbells and dumbbells? The jury is still out, but it looks badass flipping tires.

  With increased tires across gym. How do you know which one to choose?

I got you

    We will go over recommendations and basic techniques to lifting tires. 

    To start the tire should not be taller than you. Bigger tires present an increased mechanical advantage, so unless you super jacked your most likely not going to be able to flip it. Additionally, the bigger the tire the bigger the lifting distance. Unless you have ample room then flipping a gigantic tire isn't going to be practical. 

    If you are tall then narrow tires are going to be more challenging while wider tires are going to be harder for short folks. This again is due to the increased mechanical advantage. Another element to watch out for is the tread. A worn-out tread is going to create more of likelihood that the tire slips out of your hands.

    Once you have established the right tire for you then it's time to lift it. You got three techniques to choose from. Sumo, Back lift and shoulders against tire. Sumo is very similar to a sumo deadlift technique with a wider, shoulder width stance and a supinated grip between your legs. Upon lifting the tire switch your hands to a pronated grip and push the tire away.

    Back lift style is your more traditional deadlift style. More of a narrow, hip width stance with hands outside the legs. Much like Sumo style you would lift the tire then switch grip and push the tire to complete the lift.

    Shoulders against tire is exactly how it reads. squat deep enough so that your shoulder is against the tire with your chin on top. Extend the ankles, knees and hips (triple extension) then once the tire is halfway up hit the tire with your quad to push the tire up then switch grip to pronated grip then push the tire the rest of the way down.

    Which method is the best?

    Depends on you. Are you taller? shorter? how big is the tire? all of these factors count in selecting a tire flipping technique. I prefer the sumo style because I can use my legs more, but I am also on the shorter side of life. If your taller maybe you like the shoulder against the tire because of the triple extension. Try all three and make the determination.