Everyday Systems

OK, so what are people doing with this movement? I've only found one reference to it on the SG page.

I like to perform this one with the lighter sledge; I use my wife's 8 pounder.

Those baseball fans, this movement is very similar to a baseball stance and swing.

Stand with your feet wide. One hand at the base of the handle, the other as close as you can get to it while maintaining control of the sledgehammer. Start with the left hand on the bottom, and the right on top.

1. Use your ab muscles to pivot your shoulders to the right. Swing the hammer back, 2 feet-ish off the ground, getting ready to plunge your "axe" into the trunk of the mighty tree that stands before you.

2. After you've reared back, use your ab muscles to quickly bring your shoulders to the left. Keep the hammer at the same height and swing it around, stopping when the "axe" has hit the tree.

3. Repeat.

This exercise gets some serious momentum going. And in particular if you aren't used to working your abs, BE CAREFUL. Start slowly and work up a comfortable rhythm.

I put this into my 21-14-7 routine (tack it on to the end of 5b).

How are other people doing the "chop the tree" movement?

I do this in a forward stance (right foot forward if I'm swinging off my left shoulder), then swing forward halfway, because that tree that I'm chopping is right in front of me. Then return to shoulder and repeat for the number of reps.

I don't think I could do this as Batting the Ball, which would require a full swing. Don't think I am strong enough for that!

I actually do a movement like this using the baseball bat analogy. It's definitely a burner!

I think it's good you're using the lighter sledge on this, Freakwitch. It's a great move, but particularly twisty and dangerous if you overdue it. I had a false start on this one myself and didn't do it for a while, but since I started up again doing fewer reps (14 each side) more slowly and carefully, I haven't had any problems (it's been at least 6 months, maybe more).

I should definitely get a video clip up for this one soon...

P.S: if anyone wants me to post clips of their routines/movements, please let me know.

reinhard wrote:It's a great move, but particularly twisty and dangerous if you overdue it.

I can really tell you're a librarian by training, Reinhard.

Good librarian Freudian library "slip"!
If you over"due" that Shovelglove, you will definitely have to "pay!" LOL...
Good catch James!
Very astute.. Hee hee...
Peace,
Deb

We in the business refer to it as a Deweyian slip. And it's no laughing matter, they can really add up.

Cute!
P&L,
Deb

Is this "the Fireman?" I do this at about shoulder/head high. I can pull off about 35 each side with my 14 lb hammer before the muscles on the front of my shoulders are screamin.

But it's my favorite exercise.

reinhard wrote:We in the business refer to it as a Deweyian slip. And it's no laughing matter, they can really add up.

Good job, Reinhard. You didn't slip up again and type "dueian"...

Thanks for the detailed description James. I tried tree chopping once before, and it felt very awkward. I think I was doing it too high, bc it ended up almost identical to my drive-fencepost movement, the way I was doing it. But you said to hold it just a couple feet off the ground... hmm, I'll try that again. I love movements that work the abs.

No, it's different from the fireman, Kevin. At least the way I do it is. The fireman strikes me as being sort of halfway between "chop the tree" and "drive the spikes." Or something. The way I do chop the tree is almost exactly like a baseball swing.

One side effect; I really want to go and smack something with that stroke. Hard. Just to see what happens.
::pant pant::

I agree, Ariel. This one is great fun for me. The abs -- or the core -- is where all the power comes from. Your arms don't actually move much; they just sort of "aim" the hammer. The movement and the power come from the core and the legs.

Use your Hara grasshopper!
Love,
Deb

Yes exactly! The hara, the tan t'ien. The 2nd chakra. Whatever term you call it...

That's where your Life is baby!

Enjoy the day!
Peace,
Deb