Have there ever been any studies on the health benefits (if there are any) of chopping wood? I ask because over the weekend I cut down a sizable tree and every night now I’ve been splitting the wood and stacking it (I still have about 75% more to go!).
I spend about 2 hours a night doing this using an 8 lbs mauler for splitting and when I am done for the evening I am soaked in sweat and dead tired. I figure I am getting a cardio and weight workout when I do this.
To explain this as a “workout” the process goes like this: I’ve cut the trunk into about 18 inch section with each section being roughly 2 feet in diameter (this was accomplished with a chainsaw of course).
I then stack one on the other (I’d say they weigh about 100 lbs +/- each) to elevate it so I can hit it better, then I start swinging my mauler until I’ve split that section (one section of this size can yield over 20 pieces split).
I load the split wood into a cart and pull it about 50 meters to my wood pile and stack it. Then I repeat. I like to think this is a good workout.
I believe chopping wood comes under the category of yard work. I think its one of the best form of exercise anyone can do for good health. I’m sure I heard studies stating similar benefits.
Its like moving bags of fertilizer, moving a boulder, flipping a tyre or tossing a caber. All good.
Yeah, I was thinking that its not really a strength workout but rather its my lifting in the gym it makes me strong and able to do this type of work. Of course its fun too! On that note I can’t imagine being one of those people who are too out of shape that they can’t do manual labor in there own yard!
[quote]Wreckless wrote:
Some people do this exercise just to get some wood to keep them warm during the winter. They probably don’t appreciate the workout though. ;-)[/quote]
[quote]new2training wrote:
Wreckless wrote:
Some people do this exercise just to get some wood to keep them warm during the winter. They probably don’t appreciate the workout though.
That’s exactly how I got started! Years ago it went something like this:
Son, we’re going to cut down the pine tree out back!
Can I use the chain saw pop?
No, I get to do that and you get to clean up after me!
I’m pleased to say that I have graduated to using the chain saw on my own. LOL.
[quote]BigRagoo wrote:
new2training wrote:
Wreckless wrote:
Some people do this exercise just to get some wood to keep them warm during the winter. They probably don’t appreciate the workout though.
I do it for heat and appreciate the workout.
Do I win something
I did it because I was told to.[/quote]
ahh, avoid the old ass chewin’. Good motivation. Growing up, that was my motivation too.
Now I just hate paying high electric bills. I hear that heat pump running and I see dollar bills floating out the window.
That’s exactly how I got started! Years ago it went something like this:
Son, we’re going to cut down the pine tree out back!
Can I use the chain saw pop?
No, I get to do that and you get to clean up after me!
I’m pleased to say that I have graduated to using the chain saw on my own. LOL.[/quote]
Sounds familiar. Turns out, running the saw isn’t as easy as I suspected as a kid.
It’s hell on the lower back isn’t it?
Man, I’d give anything to have a day of cutting wood with Dad again.
[quote]FutureDoc wrote:
I always make sure I down a fair amount of protein + carbs after I water my lawn. It’s a burner for sure.[/quote]
Make sure you vary your nossels and hoses. One week try a Gilmour 8-Ply Flexogen Garden Hose, 3/4", 100’ next week a coiled vinyl superseted with a 6 ply rubber vinyl 50’. I like to do drop sets where I connect all my hoses together and take them off as I get closer to the spicket.
I chopped wood constantly while living with my parents. I grew to love it. I also shoveled our driveway and grew to love it.
Now I shovel my neighbor’s driveway and my own and refuse to buy a snow blower just out of the girly-man factor. I have to pound the bloody hell out of my big tire with different weight sledge hammers because I don’t burn wood. I love it. Go to torqueathletic.com. I got a 20 and 30 pound hammer that give me hours of enjoyment (beating the crap out of a tire).
[quote]tumbeh wrote:
I chopped wood constantly while living with my parents. I grew to love it. I also shoveled our driveway and grew to love it.
Now I shovel my neighbor’s driveway and my own and refuse to buy a snow blower just out of the girly-man factor. I have to pound the bloody hell out of my big tire with different weight sledge hammers because I don’t burn wood. I love it. Go to torqueathletic.com. I got a 20 and 30 pound hammer that give me hours of enjoyment (beating the crap out of a tire).[/quote]
I went to that site and just couldn’t get over the 150 pound sledge hammer!
That’s exactly how I got started! Years ago it went something like this:
Son, we’re going to cut down the pine tree out back!
Can I use the chain saw pop?
No, I get to do that and you get to clean up after me!
I’m pleased to say that I have graduated to using the chain saw on my own. LOL.
Sounds familiar. Turns out, running the saw isn’t as easy as I suspected as a kid.
It’s hell on the lower back isn’t it?
Man, I’d give anything to have a day of cutting wood with Dad again. [/quote]
Ya just brought tears to my eyes. My dad passed away 8 months ago and I miss him bad.
How about all you big, strong, tough T Nation guys give your Dad a call…just to say hi or even (gasp) tell him you love him. You will be glad you did. He will too.
