Exercises for digging?!?

beabria

I'm aware this is an oddly specific request, but I'm looking for suggestions on exercises to get better at digging holes.
(Yes, digging holes. I'm a scientist who spends all day sitting at a computer, but this summer I'll be on a team to dig holes for science.) Long story, but I want to be able to do my part.
Clearly, this will involve strengthening the back and upper body (plus endurance cardio), but I'd love to have a variety of specific exercises to incorporate. Any suggestions? (I tried google, but got suggestions for a volleyball move called a "dig". Not what I was looking for!) Also, actually digging practice holes isn't an option - I have no yard for this.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

stanmann571

Shovelling or post holing?


For Shoveling, something like deadlifts are going to be the best for strengthening the appropriate muscles.

For post holing, Maybe medicine ball slams.

beabria

Actually both shoveling/hoeing and post-holing, but generally I'm pretty good with post-holing. Shoveling and hoeing.... well, I was once told (jokingly by a landscaper) that I dig like a baby who is just learning to dig!

Jthanmyfitnesspal

Digging is pretty hard work, so I would say that you need to get ready by doing some hard work in the gym.

Since you're asking for advice, I'd recommend that you go get some advice. You can do personal or group training. If you do that 2-3 times a week and add in some cardio, you'll certainly get in much better shape.

rsclause

A lot of what you will be doing is somewhat random. Stepping on the shovel, bending over, lifting, twisting and reaching to toss the load. I would be in favor of a good machine workout (I use Nautilus) because its quick. That way you can hit many muscle groups to gain strength overall. Beyond that I would add cardio for endurance and planks to build the core.

stanmann571

Because the actual shoveling is neither a pure up/down front/back side-side; General fitness should be your goal. KB swings/deadlifts are probably going to be your biggest bang for the buck for strengthening your core. You'll also want to do some work that give you strength/practice with the rotational strength you'll need.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

puffbrat

I used to do a lot of digging when I was an archaeologist. I would agree that overall fitness is important. The Stronglifts 5x5 program would probably be a really good start to the overall strength building that you will need.

Strength in your back and arms seems obvious, but you will also need strong shoulders, pecs, abs, obliques, and legs. Do squats. Lots of squats. Be sure to focus on proper form both as you start training and when you start doing the digging. It is really easy to hurt your back while digging with poor form.

Also, don't forget cardio. Digging is hard work and you need to have stamina if you will be doing it all day.

beabria

Great, thanks! I do heavy squats regularly (and deadlifts occasionally) and will up my game there. Kettlebell exercises seem like a great suggestion for the compound motion, but I haven't used them before, so perhaps it is time for personal trainer.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

French_Peasant

I agree with the recommendations for general strengthening of the core, especially KB swings--work up to a heavier weight and work up to an extended period of time to replicate the metabolic aspect of digging.

Additionally--if you are going to have to hit the ground running at 100% (I generally ease slowly into digging in the spring, even with a couple years of lifting) then you might also want to consider buying a shovel, duct taping a 5 or 10 lb weight to it, and replicate shoveling motions with it (stab it toward the ground then do a scoop-and-swing both the the front and torquing to each side like you are tipping it into a barrow). Just try to achieve higher reps each day that you do it, give yourself a rest day or two in between, and use the best form you can for a lift with a lot of velocity and torque.

Or, you know, just go buy a few bags of pea gravel and shovel it from spot A to spot B and back again.

I just think you would benefit a lot from getting the actual functional movement in there in a manner that you can build of to the intensity that would be needed for the dig.

Harvard Medical School rates this as a 440 calorie per hour burn for a 185 lb person, FWIW.

beabria

French_Peasant wrote: »

Or, you know, just go buy a few bags of pea gravel and shovel it from spot A to spot B and back again.

Actually, I think I can do that. I have a basement and some shovels. I'll just hope to not have to explain it to my landlord.

Lean59man

I agree with French Peasant above.

Get a couple yards of dirt delivered to your yard.

Several times a week go out for an hour and shovel the dirt into a different spot a few feet away.

If you have a wheelbarrow, shovel the dirt into it and transport loads to a spot some distance away (25 to 50 feet).

Wheelhouse15

Lean59man wrote: »

I agree with French Peasant above.

Get a couple yards of dirt delivered to your yard.

Several times a week go out for an hour and shovel the dirt into a different spot a few feet away.

If you have a wheelbarrow, shovel the dirt into it and transport loads to a spot some distance away (25 to 50 feet).

Or do like we did in the military, substitute the dirt for some gravel. Just shovel over and over till you get better.

French_Peasant

beabria wrote: »

French_Peasant wrote: »

Or, you know, just go buy a few bags of pea gravel and shovel it from spot A to spot B and back again.

Actually, I think I can do that. I have a basement and some shovels. I'll just hope to not have to explain it to my landlord.

In the case of a basement, I might just recommend a few large rocks. Easier to get rid of!

Tacklewasher

Could always come up here and shovel snow

I really think the best training is going to be picking up a shovel at some point. Nothing is going to get you in shape better than real work. Take it slow at first and build up your stamina and strength.

AnvilHead

imfornd wrote: »

compound moments - truth people here will say squats - dead lifts - back biceps etc.... and all those will help BUUUUUUT in the end you will be hurt because you will focus on strengthening only those body parts and most likely leaving other body parts weaker

take for instance bad backs - you have great looking abs your quads are well defined but how are you hamstrings - alot of back problems come for a lack on hamstring strength - compound movements will make you strong everywhere ---- you are going for function - NOT look - and in that case compound movement is what i would stick with

Squats and deadlifts aren't compound movements?

LOL.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

VintageFeline

imfornd wrote: »

compound moments - truth people here will say squats - dead lifts - back biceps etc.... and all those will help BUUUUUUT in the end you will be hurt because you will focus on strengthening only those body parts and most likely leaving other body parts weaker

take for instance bad backs - you have great looking abs your quads are well defined but how are you hamstrings - alot of back problems come for a lack on hamstring strength - compound movements will make you strong everywhere ---- you are going for function - NOT look - and in that case compound movement is what i would stick with

Wait. Squats and deads aren't compound? And I'm not sure what "back biceps" is covering.

AnvilHead

VintageFeline wrote: »

imfornd wrote: »

compound moments - truth people here will say squats - dead lifts - back biceps etc.... and all those will help BUUUUUUT in the end you will be hurt because you will focus on strengthening only those body parts and most likely leaving other body parts weaker

take for instance bad backs - you have great looking abs your quads are well defined but how are you hamstrings - alot of back problems come for a lack on hamstring strength - compound movements will make you strong everywhere ---- you are going for function - NOT look - and in that case compound movement is what i would stick with

Wait. Squats and deads aren't compound? And I'm not sure what "back biceps" is covering.

I definitely don't get that one. Deadlifts are the most compound movement there is. They work just about every muscle in the entire body from top to bottom. I'd love to hear the explanation of how squats and deads aren't compound movements.

For the OP's stated purpose, a program consisting simply of deadlifts and some kind of core rotation/anti-rotation exercise would probably fit the bill perfectly, since they can't go out and start digging holes - which would obviously be the best choice.

giantrobot_powerlifting

Become bad at lying to people. Great way to dig yourself deeper in any hole.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Carlos_421

imfornd wrote: »

compound moments - truth people here will say squats - dead lifts - back biceps etc.... and all those will help BUUUUUUT in the end you will be hurt because you will focus on strengthening only those body parts and most likely leaving other body parts weaker

take for instance bad backs - you have great looking abs your quads are well defined but how are you hamstrings - alot of back problems come for a lack on hamstring strength - compound movements will make you strong everywhere ---- you are going for function - NOT look - and in that case compound movement is what i would stick with

Since when are deadlifts and squats not compound movements??
And since when are they not awesome for hamstrings??

Momepro

Are they only going to be big holes? You might also want to work on flexibility stretches, like kneeling and sitting back on your feet, if you are going to be doing much close work, and curling forward and holding position (my sister the anthropologist said close work can be alnost as taxing as big hole digging)

GottaBurnEmAll

AnvilHead wrote: »

imfornd wrote: »

compound moments - truth people here will say squats - dead lifts - back biceps etc.... and all those will help BUUUUUUT in the end you will be hurt because you will focus on strengthening only those body parts and most likely leaving other body parts weaker

take for instance bad backs - you have great looking abs your quads are well defined but how are you hamstrings - alot of back problems come for a lack on hamstring strength - compound movements will make you strong everywhere ---- you are going for function - NOT look - and in that case compound movement is what i would stick with

Squats and deadlifts aren't compound movements?

LOL.

I'm utterly bamboozled by that sentence myself. I read it three times to make sure it said what it said because I didn't think it could possibly be saying it.

To the OP, I like the suggestions dealing with real materials. Or the kettlebell swings. They're a great full body exercise that I'm pretty partial to. For the core/anti-rotation exercise, paloff presses are pretty good. If you don't have access to a gym and a cable machine, you can do those with a resistance band at home.

jessicagreen1828

Can you just get an auger? Or does that ruin the science?

rileyes

Tractor tire and sledge hammer may help your strength and endurance. Flips and hammering may aid shoveling and pic-axing movements.

Cherimoose

beabria wrote: »

Also, actually digging practice holes isn't an option - I have no yard for this.

Digging is a specialized skill, and the best way to improve at a skill is to practice it. Look around for places to dig - maybe an empty lot, at a friend's house, a community garden, the side of a road, etc. It only needs to be twice a week or thereabouts.
Check the tutorials on youtube for "how to dig a hole".

beaglady

Find some gloves that you like. You will get blisters.

DevilsFan1

beabria wrote: »

French_Peasant wrote: »

Or, you know, just go buy a few bags of pea gravel and shovel it from spot A to spot B and back again.

Actually, I think I can do that. I have a basement and some shovels. I'll just hope to not have to explain it to my landlord.

Ah yes. The Cool Hand Luke fitness program.