Taking A Look At The Wood Chop Exercise
The Wood chop exercise is probably one of my favourite abdominal exercises because it is more than just an abdominal exercise. Depending on how you perform the wood chop, it can be used to train the lower body, core and upper body. The opportunities to vary this exercise are endless and it can be adapted to suit people of all ages, sizes and backgrounds.
Traditionally the wood chop may be performed using a cable machine. You may see the person standing and pulling the cable from the low to high position or high to low position. What is great is that you can choose to keep the trunk stable and move the arms or you can choose to move the trunk in line with the arms through the movement. The individual is required to maintain an upright postural pattern throughout this exercise and maintain normal breathing patterns. This exercise not only trains the oblique muscles, but the rest of the core, lower body and upper body. You are required to keep the trunk stable whilst moving the peripheral regions of the body.
Below are some images of the various ways to change up the wood chop. Please accept that these images are not the only way to perform the exercise and that there are many other ways to conduct the movement. All images have been sourced from google images.
Wood Chop Exercise – Low to High with Cable and trunk moving with arms
Wood Chop Exercise – Low to High with Squat to Stand
Wood Chop Exercise – High to Low
Wood Chop Exercise – Kneeling – Low to High
Wood Chop Exercise – Kneeling – High to Low
Next time you are in the gym, be sure to touch base with one of the personal trainers and ask them to show you how to perform a wood chop. This exercise can also be conducted using a medicine ball, power band or dumbbells.
If you are currently suffering from a musculoskeletal injury and would like further advice on your training program, be sure to touch base with one of the osteopaths at Principle Four Osteopathy.
Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD leading Osteopathy clinics. At the clinic we treat a wide range of clients, ranging from the office worker, exercise enthusiast to athlete. We have 3 experienced osteopaths working across both of the clinics.
The Melbourne City CBD clinic is located at 29 Somerset Place (basement), close to the corner of Elizabeth St and Little Bourke in the Melbourne City CBD. Our premises adjoin the Jon Weller Personal Training Studio, a fully-equipped training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials or specific training programs and rehabilitation.
The Docklands clinic is located at 717 Bourke St (Ground Floor), beneath the Channel 9 building near the walkway from Southern Cross Train Station to Etihad Stadium. Our premises adjoin Pilates on Bourke, a fully-equipped pilates and yoga training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials, pilates or specific training programs and rehabilitation.
To speak to an Osteopath or book an appointment at Principle Four Osteopathy, please book online or call 03 9670 9290.
