I found myself looking for a little more variety in this morning's shovelgloving. Usually after my 14 minutes, I pick up various juggling props for a little bit more of a workout. Sometimes its heavy balls (heavy relative to juggling that is, 2 lbs.). Sometimes its pins, and I try to sustain some one-legged juggling with a few small squats and some under the leg juggling. I find that the balance work builds my core and also stabilizer muscles in my legs. The one legged "squats" build my calves and thighs. I say "squats" because they never go terribly deep, just enough to put my knees over my toes while standing on one leg. Try it, you'll see what I mean.
Today's inspiration, however, was to try some shovelgloving on one leg. The range of motion tends not to be the same, and the muscles worked out are a little different, but the attempt offered a promising measure of additional variety. So far, shoveling, chopping wood, and churning butter have worked best in one-footed versions. With churning butter, you can add the small squats and get a reasonably good workout for your calves and thighs. It also tends to work the stabilizer muscles of your knees, which I suspect will have some benefit in preventing injuries. (Provided you avoid falling over while shovelgloving on one foot.
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Anybody else tried this?
Open Channel D.
