Chopping Wood Fitness Training

Chopping Wood Description

Chopping wood is a vigorous outdoor activity. The axe-swinging motion builds strength and endurance. Handling the axe can improve hand-eye coordination.

Chopping Wood Warnings

• People experiencing chronic problems, injuries or pain in their shoulder, hip, wrist or pelvis should seek medical permission prior to engaging in this activity.

Chopping Wood Risks

• Muscle strains of shoulder and lower back
• Wrist sprains
• Tendinitis in shoulders, elbows and wrists
• Eye injury from flying wood splinters
• Hand blisters
• Axe injuries from carelessness

Chopping Wood Sport-specific applications

• Lumberjack competitions­timed events using different axes and saws
• Chopping strokes are somewhat similar to some movements made in other sports

Chopping Wood Equipment required

• Axe or saw: different types used for various kinds of wood or lumber
• Gloves to protect hands from blisters
• Eye protection

Chopping Wood Reference sources, organizations and publications

• Digging

Mode

Recreational/Cardiorespiratory: Anaerobic/Interval

Fitness Benefits

• Cardiorespiratory 2
• Flexibility 1
• Muscular Strength 2
• Muscular Endurance 4
• Body Fat Recution 1

Fitness Requirements

• Cardiorespiratory 1
• Flexibility 1
• Muscular Strength 2
• Muscular Endurance 2
• Coordination/Skill 2

Muscle groups used

Primary muscles: latissimus dorsi, shoulders, rhomboids, trapezius, rotator cuff muscles, biceps and forearms Assistance muscles: chest, triceps, quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteals, abdominals, obliques and erector spinae

Energy expenditure

Approximately 0.08 Calories per minute per pound of body weight