by Jason Abendroth

Created on: August 20, 2009

Chopping wood is a splendid example of a way to help achieve your fitness and financial goals simultaneously. It is not for the faint of heart, however. Not only is it very hard work, but it can be dangerous without some important safety precautions, and it is very much an exclusive pursuit in terms of location.

Any physical activity benefits the human body, but those activities vigorous enough to elevate and sustain your heart rate within its optimal target zone are especially valuable. Chopping wood is just such an activity. A rough, but well-established guideline to determine your maximum heart rate "HRmax" is to simply take your age and subtract it from 220. Your target heart rate for maximum cardiovascular fitness would then be 50-85% of HRmax.

Chopping wood is not only very exhausting, but it has steep barriers to entry for most people. I was fortunate enough to grow up on a small 45-acre farm nestled in the woods of lower, rural Michigan. However, the majority of the U.S. population either lives in cities or on land that does not have enough trees to support such an activity.

My family heated our home exclusively with a wood furnace, and I've cut and chopped many a truckload of wood in my lifetime. It is truly invigorating work that can save you hundreds of dollars every year in heating costs. Even without a wood furnace however, a person could still save money with a fireplace. Although a much less efficient device, fireplaces can still benefit your bottom line.

For those people who have neither a wood furnace nor a fireplace, options do still remain, provided that you have unfettered access to a mature woods of sustainable size. In this particular situation, you would be saving money by making money. In other words, you could cut and chop wood, and then sell it to someone else. This would enable you to earn some extra cash while getting into shape at the same time.

Before undertaking such an endeavor, be sure to start first by thinking of safety. Cutting and chopping wood can be very dangerous if approached haphazardly; it requires your utmost attention at all times. To that end, be sure to invest in a good pair of gloves, tear-resistant pants, steel-toed boots, safety goggles and even a hard hat to protect against falling limbs while cutting down trees.

The act of chopping wood is very arduous and requires significant strength and endurance, especially in the hands and upper body. Regular rest and water breaks should be taken to recuperate and avoid dehydration. As with any exercise regimen, it is also wise to consult your doctor before beginning such an intense activity.

Cutting and chopping wood also necessitates having or purchasing equipment such as a chainsaw, gasoline and container, oil, blade-sharpening tools, an axe, a mall, and a wedge for starters. Initially, things can therefore be somewhat expensive, even if you are fortunate enough to have your own woods and furnace or fireplace. However, you can immediately begin recovering your initial investment expenses via increased energy savings or revenue from selling chopped and cut wood. Furthermore, the physical benefits you will receive will be equally as impressive. Your strength and stamina will increase in proportion to the amount of time you spend engaged in your new pastime. Be careful, but have fun too - good luck!

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