So, I was in the hardware store and on the way to checkout, new sledgehammer in hand (would have ordered from Amazon but thought transcontinental shipping on a sledgehammer might have been a little pricey
), when I saw something I just had to have: a 5'10" cast iron crowbar, weighing 22 lbs. I love this thing, and use it together with my sledgehammer. It's so long I have to be really careful using it indoors, but it's a lot of fun to use, and is really good for whole-body exercises. For example, I'll hold it with both hands about two feet apart, squat down, and pretend to row a kayak. First forwards, then backwards. I have some training in Chinese martial arts, and have used both staff and spear, so I know how to power everything from my center. When I want to get a better upper-body workout I try to just use my arms and shoulders, and when I want to work my "core strength" I'll use my hara/dan-tien/center. All in all I think the long heavy pole is a good adjunct to the sledgehammer. Also, one question: I've been reading peoples' detailed regimens here, but mine is as follows: do an exercise until I get tired, followed by whatever exercise I feel like next until I'm tired. Repeat for 14 minutes. Anybody else here like that?
