Everyday Systems

I just started shovelgloving and I have to say that I just love it. I do it outside in the garden in the cold/dark, and it really feels like farm work. I do have a couple of questions, though:

1) How do I know if I have the right size hammer? I bought a 3kg one (6.6 lbs) because óur local hardware store only had that size or one that was 8kgs (17.5lbs), way too heavy. It's pretty easy for me to do 14 minutes, and my arms haven't been sore (but I do feel it in my upper back and some in my abs). Should I try to find a 4 kg hammer?

2) In my years of going to the gym they always said to rest for 48 hours between doing weights. Has anyone had problems or injuries shovelgloving 5 days in a row?

3) Any tips starting out??

Thanks,
Zoolina

zoolina wrote:
2) In my years of going to the gym they always said to rest for 48 hours between doing weights. Has anyone had problems or injuries shovelgloving 5 days in a row?

I think the whole "rest between weights" thing is to encourage hypertrohy ("getting bigger"), rather than to prevent joint injury.

You're unlikely to put on muscle mass as fast as you would with hard core free weight training program, but it's not going to hurt you, either.

Zoolina,

Welcome!

1. Light is better to start. Worry about building the habit and getting the moves down smoothly. I've advised people to start with a broom just to get this part down, so I doubt your starter sledge is too light. If after a few months it seems very easy and you've been sticking to your routine, then consider an upgrade.

2. I haven't had any problems doing it 5 days a week. Farmers and manual laborers did much more than this for six days a week. The habit friendliness of doing it every N-day is powerful. Remember that not every 14 minutes needs to be equally strenuous. If you're feeling tired, make it a slow, relaxed session. On the other hand, if anything hurts (and this is more likely to happen now when you are just starting out) stop immediately and take the next day off.

3. Focus on building the habit, making the time, and not injuring yourself. Once you get that down, the muscular part is easy.

Reinhard

Actually, day 1+2 were easy, day 3 was quite a bit harder! But wow, what a great way to wake up.

Z.