It’s time for another episode of Sawdust Fitness! In this episode, we will talk about strengthening our arms. That’s right! It’s time to talk about the gun show!
When using a hammer of any kind, you are using mainly the muscles in the arm. What most people don’t realize, those are not the only muscles being utilized. Gripping a hammer properly requires hand strength. The swinging motion, while hammering, brings the shoulder muscles into play. You are using your whole arm while driving that stubborn, bent nail into that two by four.
A lot of people are under the assumption that using a hammer requires brute force. Those folks are rather misinformed. It does require some strength, but mostly it involves technique. The first part is making sure you have a proper posture. Keep those shoulders square! Second, you don’t have to put your whole body into it. That is how accidents happen. Third, despite what some might say, it’s not all in the wrist. Let’s think about this for a second. If you take that hammer and start using just your wrist, you might wind up pinching a nerve. This is the same area where people have problems with carpal tunnel. I have pinched that nerve a few times. Trust me, it doesn’t tickle.
As long as you focus on good posture and use your whole arm, you should not have any problems driving in a nail.
Pounding in a few nails isn’t much of a workout. However, if you hammer in 20 or so nails, then you are starting a workout. You are working the biceps, triceps and the various forearm muscles pretty well. By swinging the hammer, you start moving the blood through your body quicker. Kind of like a light cardio workout. Just as many other aspects of woodworking, the more you do, the more exercise you get. Although, I wouldn’t recommend getting rid of that gym membership yet.
Happy Hammering!
So You Think Yer a Woodworker? 