Thread: Wood choppers (for the challenged)

If you are rotating your trunk you are working your abdominals, don't worry.

Make sure you are looking the way you want to rotate to get full ROM, the body follows the head.

Originally Posted by fufu

If you are rotating your trunk you are working your abdominals, don't worry.

Make sure you are looking the way you want to rotate to get full ROM, the body follows the head.

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I'm really concentrating on keeping the body straight and twisting to accentuate the abs.. (I think my middle guys are really strong ) I can't always tell which muscle is pumpin'

But, it always gets better.

Thanks for your advice.

Yeah, concentrate on the rotation. You can even have your initial position rotated slightly away from the cable attatchment so you are making sure you are loading the obliques all the way through.

With any other exercise you get a better feel for it as you go on.

How are you doing them? Are you using a dumbbell? Do you have access to jump stretch bands?

Originally Posted by chris mason

How are you doing them? Are you using a dumbbell? Do you have access to jump stretch bands?

I'm really into weight training, and I use the cables to get the maximum resistance. Maybe 150 lbs? (You can't tell with the machines with their numbering system). But anyhow, I'm sure the upper body is benefiting from this exercise, but I can't tell which muscles are doing all the work? I just pump and know that its working, but, I guess its the whole lower body thats contributing! Go figure.

Ok, tell you what, I will get a video made of how to do them and you can compare that to what you are doing. Once we have established that you are doing them right, we can then talk about what muscles are being worked.

Chris

Most here are also not into powerlifting with bands and such.

Originally Posted by dg806

Most here are also not into powerlifting with bands and such.

I understand that, but bands and chains can be used to increase strength all athletic endeavors as well.

The wood chop can be performed with a dumbbell and that is how I normally do it.

It definitely works the entire abdomen.

Originally Posted by chris mason

The wood chop can be performed with a dumbbell and that is how I normally do it.

It definitely works the entire abdomen.

Like this?

Originally Posted by kiko

Like this?

Sort of, except I hold the dumbbell by the handles and I do not bend at the legs. I restrict the movement to my upper body as much as possible.

Chris