I've been a forum member for years, ever since my first abortive attempt at building the No S and shovelglove habits. My enthusiam has, in the past, rarely lasted more than a few days, but I'm happy to know that Reinhard's computer system remembers me
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
I'm back into it (for good this time! Gonna rely on HABIT instead of enthusiasm), but I've moved since I last shugged and my sledgehammer didn't make the move with me. Until I get my paws on another, I thought I would rely on necessity to mother some invention:
The Shovel-Pack!
I have some cheap weight plates in a closet (they were there when I moved in), so I put 13kg (~= 30lbs) into an old but sturdy green backpack. Rocks, books (I have lots of these), cans of food, etc, would work just as well.
Then I cinched up the straps, turned up the Van Halen and set the timer.
What a workout! The shovel-pack (or packbell) is great for kettlebell swings and probably other kettlebell moves that I'm not a hip enough exerciser to know. I did a sequence of canonical shovelglove moves, and it's tough! The bag is heavier than any hammer I've used, for one thing, and it's not rigid like a hammer. When swinging it up, I always had to swing it fast enough that centrifugal force* would keep it from falling down on me.
I worked out good shovel-pack approximations for stoke the oven, the fireman, and other classics. I may indulge my narcissism on Monday and set up a webcam. I'll post links if I do!
And of course the shovel-pack is perfect for hoist the sack.
Many of the canon moves, actually, feel like natural ways to toss a heavy sack. I guess that speaks to the "useful movements" design ethic: apparently useful movements translate well!
Anyhow, it's nice to be back. I really like the character of the discussions I read here. It's a very thoughtful, cozy, and encouraging corner of the internet.
* Technically, inertia resisted by centripetal force from my hand. But then again, see http://xkcd.com/123/