City July 21, 2010 9:18 AM

Tired of those boring workouts?

queenseyes 24

Clunk... Clunk.... Clunk... That was the sound that we heard last evening while sitting out on Prospero's patio. When we looked to see what was making the sound, we were baffled when we saw two young guys flipping an oversized tractor tire down Orton Place. They were taking turns lifting the tire, over and over... Clunk! "Don't they know that the easiest way to move a tire is to roll it...", my friend pointed out. We all got a kick out of that, but at the same time our curiosity got the best of us and we got up from the table to go see what they were up to.

Not only did we discover that the two guys in question were flipping the tire as part of a workout regimen, we also discovered that someone from our own group (Rachel) was interested in attempting the feat. Now, by this time we had learned that Max (photo) was an instructor at KC's Fitness (just around the corner), and he was in the midst of training a client via one of the more unusual workout programs - one that had been designed to increase leg and upper body strength just like the strongman competitions. Rachel did accomplish the task at hand, yet admitted that it wasn't exactly easy. I'm sure that Drew (the student who was doing half of the lifting) was relieved to get a short break, since the tire exercise was to continue around the entire block!

If you want to join in on the fun, you can either stop by Prospero for a cocktail on the patio to witness the unusual program, or make an appointment at KC's Fitness... the choice is yours!

www.kcsfitness.com/

KC's Fitness
1 Symphony Circle
Buffalo, NY 14201-1213
(716) 886-0252

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Comments

24 Comments Leave a comment

Annie

July 21, 2010 8:20 AM

That is so awesome!

The boxing club located right behind my house beats their giant tire with a HUGE sledgehammer. When I make dinner I can watch out my kitchen window a very handsome well built man heaving the hammer against the tire for roughly 20 minutes irregardless of the weather. The "huh huh huh" he grunts as he swings the hammer down to strike the tire's edge is almost zen in it's expression.

I bet by the time they got around the block, Drew was really feeling it! That's a really tough workout - kudos for KC's Fitness for creating something difficult yet achievable.

[ Reply ]

Score: 2 ( 4 votes )

rb09

July 21, 2010 8:22 AM

Be careful. This is how Daniel Brier got his sports hernia.

[ Reply ]

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

suburban_hillbilly

July 21, 2010 10:31 AM

Fitness "professionals" keep coming up with these ridiculous stunts to try to stand out among their piers. There are smarter ways to get a good leg/back work out. 9 out of 10 Americans will rupture and intervertebral disk doing this stuff. I see idiots at the gym swinging ropes, standing on balls, hanging from straps etc. etc. yet none of them are in particularly good shape. All this BS is done more for attention than it is for positive health results. Variety is critical for a successful fitness program but not variety is innovation. If you own a "Shake Weight" you are clueless.

[ Reply ]

Score: -11 ( 13 votes )

LiveFastDie

July 21, 2010 11:07 AM

This isn't new or ridiculous. Is it for everyone? No, of course not. If you are bored with your normal workout, have good core strength and want to challenge yourself than go for it. I love being in the summer sun and doing a circuit of tire flips, chain drags and log presses. I highly doubt most of the people doing tire flips are in the demographic of lazy couch potatoes buying the shake weight. I feel much better are one of these workouts than I do after a couple laps around the equipment at the gym. Don't knock it until you try it.

Fitness 360 on Delaware across from Target is another great gym with plenty of different workout options and a knowledgable staff. Whether you want to flip tires, do yoga or drop some serious pounds I haven't found a better gym in Buffalo.

[ Reply ]

replied to suburban_hillbilly

Score: 1 ( 3 votes )

suburban_hillbilly

July 21, 2010 12:22 PM

I didn't say it was new. I have seen the events in competition. You could take just about any heavy item and make a workout of it. This is a gimmick. Most gimmick fitness followers aren't dedicated and desire attention as much as they desire positive health outcomes.

[ Reply ]

replied to LiveFastDie

Score: -6 ( 6 votes )

LiveFastDie

July 21, 2010 12:42 PM

I won't argue that there are many fitness gimmicks and more than enough people at every gym who are there to get noticed rather than get a good workout in but I find it hard to put tire flips in that category. You aren't getting cut or be looking pretty from flipping a tire, you're building strength. Now, you might get some attention if you are flipping it down a city street but I'd doubt that was the goal. Tire flips aren't fun but they definitely give you a great workout. Go by Fitness 360 or any other gym that has a tire and give it a shot.

[ Reply ]

replied to suburban_hillbilly

Score: 0 ( 2 votes )

LouisTully

July 21, 2010 11:13 AM

What's ridiculous about it? It's a brute force workout, basically a clean and jerk without a press. Athletes, from pros to the kid flipping a railroad tie on the farm, get benefit from these workouts. You sure you aren't clueless?

[ Reply ]

replied to suburban_hillbilly

Score: 0 ( 4 votes )

suburban_hillbilly

July 21, 2010 12:19 PM

Far from clueless. I would stack my knowledge and credentials against any fitness "expert" in WNY. This is a gimmick. If you enjoy it, good for you.

[ Reply ]

replied to LouisTully

Score: -4 ( 8 votes )

July 21, 2010 11:56 AM

I know you're just trolling but I'll bite anyway.

Those things you see people doing are very common...jumping rope has been around forever. Exercise balls are a great way to do leg and workouts safely and effectively, I'd argue you CAN'T have better leg workouts than from an Eball.

How can you tell if someone is in good shape? do you personally know every single person and know where they are coming from? perhaps they just lost 50 lbs, they might not look CUT but they sure as heck will feel and look better than before.

Not to mention the AHNOOLD phase of Gyms is fading out and most people are trying to get stronger without the mass. Most people would prefer to look like a UFC fighter than a Bodybuilder.

Anyways to stay on point it's great to see a lot of local Gyms doing well. KC's, Chad Jakubowsi, etc

I'd like to see BRO cover some more physical activities besides marathons and bike stuff (nothing wrong with those just so much more stuff going on)

[ Reply ]

replied to suburban_hillbilly

Score: 2 ( 4 votes )

suburban_hillbilly

July 21, 2010 12:32 PM

I'm not trolling as much as I am venting my disdain for gimmick fitness programs. Specificity of training is a fundamental principal of a training program. Flipping tires is great if you want to be a good tire flipper. If you have other goals, there are better ways to attack it. I was not referring to jump ropes. I was referring to heavy rope (like those used to tie a large boat to a dock) that is being used in gyms these days. I believe in goal oriented exercise programs with tangible results. I was off base in criticizing the "shape" of the people doing gimmick workouts. "Shape" is too general of a term and is (as you stated) relative. Tire flipping is great for competitive lifting (or lifters). I can do better in terms of program design for most others. I too am happy to see up-start gyms find success. The BAC has lost touch with it's membership. Bally's may still be in bankruptcy protection? The local Golds is changing it's name (dropping the franchise). There is little doubt that "fitness" is becoming more about complete health and less about huge biceps.

[ Reply ]

replied to JM

Score: -5 ( 5 votes )

July 21, 2010 1:00 PM

Sure you can design a boring routine that isolates certain muscle groups but this actually is as effective as most core workouts plus it's FUN and usually a TON cheaper.

I think that's the thing you miss with these 'gimmick' workouts, they add fun to a boring daily task, but are as effective. They are also as safe as doing any type of barbell exercise if using proper technique.

[ Reply ]

replied to suburban_hillbilly

Score: 0 ( 2 votes )

LouisTully

July 21, 2010 1:20 PM

You do, of course, realize different people may have different workout goals. And, obviously, a person doing any sort of exercise is better than one doing none. Your disdain for tire-flippers is noted. There are many things that take place in a gym that irk me.
However, flipping tires can be great for more than a person who wants to be a good tire flipper. Say, a lineman in football who needs strength in exactly those movements. But being such a knowledgeable fitness "expert" you knew that.

[ Reply ]

replied to suburban_hillbilly

Score: 1 ( 3 votes )

suburban_hillbilly

July 21, 2010 2:17 PM

I have worked with many athletes, including lineman on both offense and defense. In recent years, training techniques have evolved greatly due to the speed of the college and pro game. Yes, tire flipping could be one movement involved in an offseason program for a linemen but I could implement a very effective program void of tire flipping. It's comical that you are mocking my expertise on this subject. I could be wrong, but I would bet my house that I have more practical and academic knowledge of this subject than you and 99% of the rest of WNY. I imagine the only tire involved in your fitness program is the one around your waistline. If you ever want help losing it, let me know. Enjoy your tire.

[ Reply ]

replied to LouisTully

Score: -3 ( 5 votes )

July 21, 2010 2:33 PM

I understand things that are true FADS like the Shaker and such but tire flipping and such are CORE exercises, you don't have to be a football player to improve this area. If you know as much as you say then you know this.

I highly doubt you can come up with a routine that's not boring (see headline) but more effective. Squats and deadlifts are as effective as they come and thats all tire lifting is, but without the barbell.

[ Reply ]

replied to suburban_hillbilly

Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

suburban_hillbilly

July 22, 2010 8:39 AM

I didn't say you had to be a football player to benefit. LouisTully used a lineman as an example and I was making a point in reference to his example. I can't say that any program I design won't be "boring" because "boring" is entirely subjective. I can say with confidence that the program (boring or not) will be effective and fundamentally sound.

[ Reply ]

replied to JM

Score: -2 ( 2 votes )

LouisTully

July 21, 2010 2:56 PM

Perhaps resumes should come with the profiles, as Billy Blanks is amongst us.
Though you are wrong, I do have experience with tires. And track. But we called them road wheels. They guided the track on the Abrams and Bradleys I'm familiar with.
Now that the chest puffing is done, I'm moving on.

[ Reply ]

replied to suburban_hillbilly

Score: 0 ( 2 votes )

LiveFastDie

July 21, 2010 3:53 PM

Do you honestly find it comical that people are mocking someone claiming to be an expert in the fitness field after you bashed a tried and true workout and called it a gimmick? It's the internet, it's easy to claim to be an expert at anything. Of course you can put together a strength and conditioning program for a lineman that doesn't include tire flipping, I don't think anyone is arguing that fact. People are getting on you because you responded to an article about tire flipping saying that "Fitness "professionals" keep coming up with these ridiculous stunts". It's not a ridiculous stunt, it's a great addition to a workout for someone looking to improve core strength. Again, you should come buy Fitness 360 and give the tire a few flips, you can even choose between the 400 or the 800.

[ Reply ]

replied to suburban_hillbilly

Score: 0 ( 2 votes )

suburban_hillbilly

July 22, 2010 9:35 AM

You said "come by fitness 360" Are you a member or staff? I am not bashing tire flipping as an exercise. I am "bashing" the public spectacle of flipping a tire down the street as a workout. My original comment was largely driven by fitness gimmicks at large. Coaches disagree with eachother on strategy. There are successful strength coaches out there who swear by methods that others coaches never use. To each their own.

[ Reply ]

replied to LiveFastDie

Score: -2 ( 2 votes )

LiveFastDie

July 22, 2010 10:15 AM

Just a member, I have nothing to gain from you stopping by and checking things out other than just trying to turn someone else who seems to be interested in fitness to a good WNY gym. There will always be gimmicks in fitness and they will usually target people who want results but want to put in minimal effort. That's what I think of when it comes to fitness gimmicks which is why I took issue with you seemingly lumping tire flips into that category as it is definitely not something you are doing with minimal effort. There will always be coaches and trainers who disagree on the best way to get certain results, that's a given. But when the warm weather rolls around every year it's nice to have a circuit that can get you outside in the sun and give you a great workout.

[ Reply ]

replied to suburban_hillbilly

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

suburban_hillbilly

July 22, 2010 12:39 PM

Agreed. Tire flipping is far from minimal effort. It is a difficult movement for those with a good foundation. It has its place, I'm just don't think that place is a city street. I'm sure Fitness 360 is a good gym free of shake weights and Gazelles :)

[ Reply ]

replied to LiveFastDie

Score: 0 ( 2 votes )