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Cable Wood Chop Exercise
This is a great exercise that I often give to exercisers. It’s a very functional movement that uses a lot of muscle, especially oblique muscles. Using cables is really the only way to go for this exercise. Using a hand weight (ball, kettle bell or dumbbell) is really a different exercise all together that doesn’t focus on the abdominal muscles.
Benefits
Strengthens your ability to twist or rotate your torso. Helps flex the spine and maintain control over abdominal muscles and helps stabilize your spine and pelvis.
Body Parts Used
All crunches use the rectus abdominis, but the cable wood chop exercise also places emphasis on the external obliques. These muscles are responsible for rotation and twisting of your spine.
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Instructions
- Stand holding with both hands onto a cable attached overhead.
- Pull yourself away and to the side so that you have resistance up and across.
- Use your oblique muscles to twist your shoulders down and away from the cable attachment.
- Avoid pulling with your arms as much as possible.
- Return to the starting position.
- repeat for as many repetitions as desired.
Similar Exercises
Sample Routine
If you were interested in a sit up workout, I suggest you instead see samples of complete ab workout routines.
Note: One exercise alone is not sufficient for any goal. All exercises should be part of a comprehensive exercise program. Also, see my list of exercises for more.