Cutting firewood works your core muscle groups: glutes, triceps and back.
Whether it is heating your home in the winter or stocking up for summer campfires, cutting and preparing firewood is a chore that offers physical activity and mental benefits.
Walking, twisting, lifting and carrying heavy wood works similar muscle groups as biking, running, rock climbing and cross country skiing. “Because of the coinciding timing, cutting firewood makes a great workout to prepare for winter skiing,” said James January, Marshfield Clinic Health System physical therapist.
When splitting wood with an axe, you are using your core muscle groups in an extended range of motion. This includes your abdominals, glutes, muscles along your back and triceps. “Whereas with a chainsaw, you are mainly stabilizing your machine with more of an isometric holding position,” January said.
Safety is a top concern
Wearing the right clothing and following standard safety guidelines are key when using tools and other equipment. To avoid muscle strains, you should warm up your muscles and tendons with light stretching for your hips and shoulder, jumping jacks and light jogging.
You can practice good form by keeping your weight on your heels to engage your core muscles. Check that you are not holding your breath during the movements. “Exhaling as you contract your muscles can give you 10 percent more power in what you are doing,” January said.
Mental health benefits
Exercise increases blood flow to your brain and endorphins make you feel good. Being out in nature provides additional benefits.
“As Thoreau said of chopping his wood for the winter, ‘this wood has warmed me twice.’ He was referring to the physical activity, but also the mental satisfaction of accomplishing a task that would keep him warm during the winter,” January said.
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How does shoveling 3 feet of snow compare with making firewood? At this point we are not only moving it laterally, but throwing it 8 ft. In the air as well. That's got to count for something and everyone around here has snow to shift. Forget the blower and muscle off the driveway!
did not say anything about those of us with osteoarthritis ….how does splitting wood help ease the pain ….
We heat over 4200 square feet between home & outbuildings with wood, and all our hot water. It's wonderful using a renewable resource and has saved us hundreds of dollars over 15 years.
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Paul Bunyon never used a chain saw!! I cut my firewood the old fashioned way, with a hand saw. Pile it up all summer and then split the big chunks when it's cold. You forgot to mention the money saving. We went two years in a row needing only about $100 a year for propane. And there is nothing better than coming in from the cold to stand in front of the wood burning stove to warm up.