Strengthening the Jaw Muscles...

[Fedor=#1]

I'd imagine strengthening them would have some positive effects when absorbing a punch.

Although I've never tried it myself, I'm curious if anyone here has any tips or precautions I should know beforehand.

I've seen the Thai method where they bite down on a towel or rope attached to a weight, and just raise and lower their heads.

You can see it in this video, just skip over to 0:55:

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Looks really hard on the teeth though.

[TomStall]

its more for the neck.... the weight he was using isn't that bad if u bite down on a cloth. it can go as heavy as a bucket filled with cement. this exercise is mainly for the neck. not the jaw.

[Fedor=#1]

its more for the neck.... the weight he was using isn't that bad if u bite down on a cloth. it can go as heavy as a bucket filled with cement. this exercise is mainly for the neck. not the jaw.

Have you tried it before?

I've seen two methods of doing it, in one way they put the rope behind their necks, and the other is how it's done in the video, by grabbing it with their teeth. I always thought it would put more emphasis on the jaw muscles that way. I train my neck regularly, so it's not much of a problem. Though every time I ask someone about strengthening the jaw, it's always the typical answers of chewing something like a big wad of gum, beef jerky, almonds/hard nuts... I heard Jack Dempsey used to chew on pine. Anyways, I was just curious to find other methods that weren't as boring.

[TomStall]

Have you tried it before?

I've seen two methods of doing it, in one way they put the rope behind their necks, and the other is how it's done in the video, by grabbing it with their teeth. I always thought it would put more emphasis on the jaw muscles that way. I train my neck regularly, so it's not much of a problem. Though every time I ask someone about strengthening the jaw, it's always the typical answers of chewing something like a big wad of gum, beef jerky, almonds/hard nuts... I heard Jack Dempsey used to chew on pine. Anyways, I was just curious to find other methods that weren't as boring.

yea i used it in america. i used it in thailand. its not for your jaw. your neck gets sore. i never used the method of putting it on your head. i just used thick napkins at the gym and bite down on layers of it. i never went heavier than 45 lbs on it because it could potentially be dangerous. i am sure the cement buckets are a lot heavier though.

[Fedor=#1]

For my neck, I usually do the traditional neck bridges, and also neck flexions and extensions with a 45 lbs dumbbell wrapped in a towel...

Not sure if I should go any higher than that.

[unquiett]

Damn Buakaw is a stud.

[ItBurnzWhenIP]

Have you tried it before?
I heard Jack Dempsey used to chew on pine.

Yes Pine tar gum... And he would soak his face in brine to toughen his skin to prevent cuts

[ninjashoes]

I don't really think there is any way to get a "good chin". I just think its a matter of knowing how to take a punch and having a naturally big and thick skull.

[TomStall]

*sad that beets didn't make no contribution....

[GoatCheese]

You cant train the chin so....

[Linger]

I train my jaw like this:

Lie on your stomach; place your hands under your jaw. Have a training partner place his hands on the top of your head and slowly apply pressure. Slowly open and close your mouth. This will strengthen your jaw muscles and help prevent your lower jaw from slamming into the base of your skull. Which is what happens when you get hit on the button, as they say in the sport.
The more stable your jaw is the less likely you will be knocked out, but none of this will work if your mouth is open when taking a punch!

One Final Tip: if you are a fighter put your mouthpiece in before training your neck. Bite down hard during the entire drill. This will not only strengthen your jaw, it will promote good habits in the ring. Remember… An open jaw is a broken jaw!