Thor: Drop the Hammer

In light of the release of the new Marvel film Thor next week, I guarantee some dappy ‘personal trainer’ will try to capitalise on the success of the movie by promoting a workout based on one of the key characters in the storyline, no not Chris Hemsworth (who has done a great job of getting into excellent shape for the role of Thor), but Mjolnir; Thor’s Hammer.

Hammers have been used in strength and conditioning for years in compound exercises such as sledge hammer swings for power development, and in isolation using smaller hammers (or asymmetrical dumbbells) for specific muscle work. Used in the proper context, they are an invaluable tool and a very effective form of training.

However to gain market share, the workout will be promoted toward anyone willing to part with the money in their pocket, running the gamut from out of shape couch potatoes, to pensioners with degenerative disc disease, neither of which will benefit from this, and in all likelihood will be disastrous for their all ready abysmal health.

As there aren’t too many variations on the exercises, I’m fairly certain they will try to adapt kettlebell or medicine ball exercises for use with a hammer. Again exercises that really shouldn’t be used with certain populations.

Power exercises focus very much on the speed component of power (strength x speed), and this greatly multiplies the forces exerted on the body, especially if we then put a weight on the end of an extended lever (the hammer head on the end of the 2 foot handle, on the end of an outstretched arm). To subject an untrained body to this amount of stress is a recipe for injury, probably a serious one, especially to the spine.

Power exercises are not the icing on the cake, they are the fancy decorations on the icing, on the cake.  To use power exercises you need to properly prepare your body.  There’s no point trying to develop the speed aspect of the power equation, without having developed it’s just as important counterpart; strength.  Maximal strength can only be attained if you have sufficient functional hypertrophy (don’t confuse this with the faddish ‘functional’ training).  To develop functional hypertrophy without a cycle of anatomical adaptation to strengthen the joints to withstand the increased strength is futile, as your joints will be the weak link in the chain, which will either break down under stress, or if the body senses a weakness, will restrict the development or expression of strength.  Add this to a body that hasn’t been analysed and corrected for structural and postural balance, then you can see the stupidity of jumping straight into high level exercises.

Your body is the most precious thing you currently or can ever own.  Don’t place it in the hands of anyone that is simply trying to make a fast buck, or haven’t had the education to separate the wheat from the chaff.  The latter can be forgiven, almost.  The former, not a chance.

In my articles I’ll give you an idea of the protocols you should be following, so that you hopefully will not fall foul of shysters.  Whether you choose to utilise that information, is up to you. You pays your money, you takes your choice.