Wood Chop | Illustrated Exercise Guide

Primary muscles: Abs, obliques, lower back
Secondary muscles: Quads, hamstrings, glutes, shoulders
Equipment: Dumbbell, medicine ball

WOOD CHOP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell with both hands.
2. Rotate your torso to the right and raise the dumbbell until it’s over the right shoulder.
3. Squat as you rotate your torso to the left and bring the dumbbell diagonally across the body until it’s close to your left hip.
4. Repeat and then switch sides.

PROPER FORM AND BREATHING PATTERN

Engage your core, keep your feet and knees pointing in the same direction, maintain your arms straight and breathe out as you twist your torso.

EXERCISE BENEFITS

The wood chop helps to keep your core strong and stable and improves the flexibility of the spine. This exercise also strengthens your upper and lower body and improves your balance and posture.

DEMONSTRATION

SETS AND REPS

Choose a weight that is heavy enough, and that allows you to perform at least 10 to 12 repetitions on each side with proper exercise form.

CALORIES BURNED

To calculate the number of calories burned doing the wood chop, enter your weight and the duration of the exercise:

RELATED CORE EXERCISES

Try these other core exercises to tighten, sculpt and strengthen your abs, obliques, lats and lower back:
Scissor kicks
Plank hip dips
Dumbbell side bend
Toe touch