Exercise description of the cable wood chopper.  Learn about the cable wood chopper with videos, pictures, and other sports information.  Also learn how the cable wood chopper can increase your sports skills.

Primary muscles worked: Obliques

Synergist Muscles: Shoulders

Mechanics: Compound

Equipment: Cable Tower and Hand Attachment

How to perform the exercise: The cable wood chopper is performed by grabbing the hand attachment with an interlocked fingers grip. The cable tower should be set in the high position. Next, the athlete will twist the body at an angle, keeping the arms straight, and bringing the hand attachment close to the floor. The athlete must utilize oblique strength in order to move the cable tower, and must utilize less of the arms. The athlete will also bend at the waist to reach the desired ending point.

Spotting the exercise: To spot the cable wood chopper, the spotter can assist the athlete when they begin to struggle by pulling on the hand attachment in the desired direction when the athlete is unable to perform the lift on their own.

Sport specific application: The cable woodchopper is an exercise that can greatly improve rotational strength in an athlete. This can translate in to increased throwing power in sports such football and baseball, and can improve shooting power in sports such as field hockey and lacrosse.