Sledgehammer work question

[CaptainKimura]

When you are doing sledgehammer work is it an absolute necessity to have one of those huge 200lb tires to strike? I have a sledgehammer and a tire, but it's just an old spare from an SUV. I am really wanting to do some sledgehammer work but I don't really have any way of getting one of those huge tires home since I drive a midsize car.

[blackjack]

any size tire will work. you just need something that wont fall apart when you hit it.

[Matt S.]

I'm pretty sure the bigger/harder the tire, the less the sledge will bounce back.

[the incredible bulk]

Is sledgehammer work a viable alternative for cardio? Or is it more MMA specific type work?

And what kind of sledgehammers are you guys using (weight)?

[the incredible bulk]

I did some digging on this topic and found these articles:

Sledgehammer GPP by Intensity Magazine
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/inmag10.htm

Get Creative With Your Cardio by Kelly Baggett
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/kelly5.htm

I'm definitely gonna give this a try.

[the incredible bulk]

Thought I'd let everyone here know that I did some sledgehammer work today. Great thing about this vs sled is it's -30 outside and no way I'm going out there -- I can do this in my basement :D

Anyhow, I did 2 x 2 minutes, then 1 x 1 minute, then 1 x 2 minutes and it was lots - 30 - 60s breaks in between. Pace was roughly 40 strikes per minute.

Definitely a good workout, and most importantly it was FUN. Can't wait to do it again.

Oh, I used a 10lb sledge and because I don't have a tire yet I used an old heavy bag.

[CaptainKimura]

Yeah it's a great workout for me when I do it my obliques are always sore the next day moreso than actually targeting them.