Shovelgloving

For Historical European Fighting Arts, Weaponry, & Armor

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JeremyDillon
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Shovelgloving

Postby JeremyDillon » Mon Sep 27, 2010 9:53 pm

Hello All,
Since I frequently see fitness-related queries on this forum, I thought I'd pass along this website: http://www.shovelglove.com/

It certainly isn't a good way of training your technique, but it is a quick, easy, interesting and cheap method for upper body and core training, and it involves coordinating several muscle groups at once into useful motion. Might work well for those of you struggling to maintain interest in a traditional strength training regimen.

Basically, to "shovelglove" one acquires a sledgehammer (I believe the proprietor of the system recommends starting with a 10 or 12 pounder), wraps a sweater or towel around the end to protect one's precious earthly belongings, and proceeds to wield the sledgehammer in a variety of motions, most derived from simple manual chores (shoveling, wood chopping, etc.). There's quite a community surrounding it and a lot of people (including myself) have had some success with it.

I will note that it is difficult to adequately challenge the muscles of the chest using these motions, and I have found it necessary to incorporate pushups into my shovelglove routine. I also incorporate traditional pull-ups, because it is, in my experience, quite difficult to challenge one's lats with any other type of exercise. Also, those with back problems should be cautious when approaching certain movements. Control is important here, as in all strength training.

I thought this might find some resonance here.

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Steven Ott
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Postby Steven Ott » Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:38 pm

look up maceball training very similiar but with a longer history
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Joshua Eads
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Postby Joshua Eads » Tue Oct 05, 2010 12:20 pm

I shovelglove!

I do it mostly as a finisher to my weight workouts for contitioning. I do most of the moves listed on the shovelglove site, and a few others I've found from clubbell or macebell sources...or I'll just go out and beat on something with the hammer.

Matt Furey's "Royal Court" (hindu squat, hindu push-up, neck bridge) and kettlebell swinging are a good complement to the hammer stuff as well.

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Matt Bryant
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Postby Matt Bryant » Tue Nov 02, 2010 1:04 pm

I don't shovelglove specifically, but a few years ago I read a lot of this guy's stuff. His natural, organic way of looking at fitness appeals to me strongly.
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ARMA Associate Member - Tulsa, Oklahoma

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Sripol Asanasavest
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Postby Sripol Asanasavest » Tue Nov 02, 2010 1:08 pm

I think boxing is probably the best work out you can ever do.... It uses every part of the body, so it makes you stronger and faster...not to mention improving your reflexes. Boxers are the greatest athletes.

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Allen Johnson
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Postby Allen Johnson » Tue Nov 02, 2010 1:14 pm

I think it's easy for us today to jump on board with fitness crazes. I'm certainly one of them as well. When it comes to historical fighting though, it would seem to me that the best thing to do to get into fighting shape...is to fight. Yes we see images of guys lifting rocks (I'm partial to kettlebells) and doing different agility and balance exercises, but clearly the answer lies in fighting and sparring itself. Let's not look past the mark :)
"Why is there a picture of a man with a sword in his head on your desk?" -friends inquiry

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Andrew MacDougall
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Postby Andrew MacDougall » Sun Jan 16, 2011 5:19 pm

Allen Johnson wrote:I think it's easy for us today to jump on board with fitness crazes. I'm certainly one of them as well. When it comes to historical fighting though, it would seem to me that the best thing to do to get into fighting shape...is to fight. Yes we see images of guys lifting rocks (I'm partial to kettlebells) and doing different agility and balance exercises, but clearly the answer lies in fighting and sparring itself. Let's not look past the mark :)

Well said. :wink:

There's no one "super-workout", it's a matter of variety. Change things up; it will improve both your physical state of well-being as well as make you more adaptable.

Also, try macebell/gada out. However you may not want to use a sledge with gada exercises because it hurts more if you clip yourself.
Here's a link pertaining to making your own gada:
http://maxwellsc.blogspot.com/2008/10/g ... ya-ya.html

(Sorry if I'm not supposed to post non-WMA links.)

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Mike Lockery
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Location: Two Rivers, Alaska

Postby Mike Lockery » Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:01 pm

Andrew MacDougall wrote:
Allen Johnson wrote:I think it's easy for us today to jump on board with fitness crazes. I'm certainly one of them as well. When it comes to historical fighting though, it would seem to me that the best thing to do to get into fighting shape...is to fight. Yes we see images of guys lifting rocks (I'm partial to kettlebells) and doing different agility and balance exercises, but clearly the answer lies in fighting and sparring itself. Let's not look past the mark :)

Well said. :wink:

There's no one "super-workout", it's a matter of variety. Change things up; it will improve both your physical state of well-being as well as make you more adaptable.

Also, try macebell/gada out. However you may not want to use a sledge with gada exercises because it hurts more if you clip yourself.
Here's a link pertaining to making your own gada:
http://maxwellsc.blogspot.com/2008/10/g ... ya-ya.html

(Sorry if I'm not supposed to post non-WMA links.)

Here's an organic workout that won't smash your toes! Rope training!
http://striveperformance.com/2010/06/heavy-rope-training-exercises/
Semper Fi!!

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Andrew MacDougall
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Postby Andrew MacDougall » Mon Jan 24, 2011 7:50 pm

Mike Lockery wrote:
Andrew MacDougall wrote:
Allen Johnson wrote:I think it's easy for us today to jump on board with fitness crazes. I'm certainly one of them as well. When it comes to historical fighting though, it would seem to me that the best thing to do to get into fighting shape...is to fight. Yes we see images of guys lifting rocks (I'm partial to kettlebells) and doing different agility and balance exercises, but clearly the answer lies in fighting and sparring itself. Let's not look past the mark :)

Well said. :wink:

There's no one "super-workout", it's a matter of variety. Change things up; it will improve both your physical state of well-being as well as make you more adaptable.

Also, try macebell/gada out. However you may not want to use a sledge with gada exercises because it hurts more if you clip yourself.
Here's a link pertaining to making your own gada:
http://maxwellsc.blogspot.com/2008/10/g ... ya-ya.html

(Sorry if I'm not supposed to post non-WMA links.)

Here's an organic workout that won't smash your toes! Rope training!
http://striveperformance.com/2010/06/heavy-rope-training-exercises/

Looks like you'll need a pretty big driveway on which to lay that long rope out on. :)


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