Firefighters must have the strength and conditioning to manipulate fire hoses during training drills and when setting up to fight fires. A typical 50-foot section of 2 1/2-inch fire hose weighs approximately 25 pounds, which might be ample weight for some in terms of exercising. But the bulk of coiled hose would limit the types of exercises you could do. Full lengths of fire hose might be used for resistance walking or running exercises. You can make a shorter weighted fire hose for other types of exercises.
Step 1
Cut a 36-inch length of 2 1/2-inch fire hose using sheet metal scissors.
Step 2
Fold one end over 2 inches and secure one side of the fold with a C-clamp.
Step 3
Cut a piece of heavy nylon thread 36 inches long. Tie a double overhand knot at one end of the piece to prevent it from pulling through as you stitch the fold.
Step 4
Push the point of a stitching awl through the fold at the opposite side from the C-clamp. Thread the straight end of the nylon thread into the eye of the awl and pull it through to the double knot. Retract the awl and pull the end of the thread fully through by hand.
Step 5
Continue to stitch the fold with close stitches using the awl and nylon thread. Remove the C-clamp. Insert the point of the awl under the last stitch, thread the end of the nylon thread through the eye of the awl and partially retract the awl, leaving a loop in the thread. Tie the stitch off in a similar manner as a typical sewing stitch, making two or more overhand knots.
Step 6
Insert the tip of a funnel into the open end of the hose. Fill the hose partially with sand. Fold the open end over twice and secure the double fold with the C-clamp.
Step 7
Grip the hose with both hands. Work through various ranges of motion to determine if the weight suits your exercise goals. Less sand makes the hose lighter and easier to grip. More sand adds weight and might be preferred for strengthening your grip.
Step 8
Fill the hose with more sand or empty some of the sand out of the hose. Fold the open end over and secure it with the C-clamp.
Step 9
Cut another piece of heavy nylon thread 36 inches long and tie a double overhand knot at one end. Stitch the fold using the awl as before and tie two knots to secure the stitching. Trim the excess thread at each stitching with scissors.
Tips and Warnings
- Fire hose is produced in a variety of smaller and larger diameters.
Things You'll Need
- 2 1/2-inch fire hose
- Sheet metal scissors
- C-clamp
- Heavy nylon thread
- Stitching awl
- Funnel
- Sand
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