7 Tips to Split Wood without Throwing your Back Out

How to chop wood and not hurt your back

Ask anyone that uses a woodstove or fireplace at their home, cottage, cabin, or chalet, and they’ll tell you: splitting wood for a fire is a full body workout. It is especially physically demanding on the shoulders and back, by way of repetitive motion and full body strength. There are lots of online tips for the best way to chop wood, but the main thing is that with proper equipment and form, it is possible to limit the strain to your body and reduce the risk of injury. Split wood faster with these safe and effective wood splitting tips (no prior lumberjack experience required):

The Best Equipment for Chopping Wood

If you want to chop wood faster, it may be worth investing in a wood splitter. When used safely, it’s a great way to make splitting wood easier by making it a less physically demanding task, and yielding greater results. However, for the purist or occasional woodstove user, another best way to chop wood is to use a maul to split bigger pieces of wood, and an axe for those smaller pieces. The extra weight and width of the maul reduces the amount of effort and force required, making it easier to take on those heftier pieces. It also helps to keep your axe or maul head sharp for a safer and faster way to split wood. 

The wood you use can also reduce risk and stress on your body. The best wood for chopping is seasoned wood (dry wood) as it splits better. If the piece you are splitting has a flat bottom, it will also limit the wood’s movement, and increases your chances of hitting the same spot with each swing.

7 Wood Chopping Tips to Save Your Back

Tip #1:

Elevate the wood on a chopping log to close the distance on your swing and reduce the strain on your lower back.

Tip #2:

You should be positioned with your feet facing the log, shoulder width apart, keeping a neutral or near neutral spine.

Tip #3:

Place your dominant hand close to the head of the axe or maul, and the other hand at the end of the handle.

Tip #4:

Drop your hips and bend at the knees to raise the axe or maul over your head, then slide your top hand down to meet your other hand as you swing down with full velocity.

Tip #5:

Activate your abs and avoid fully extending to prevent stress to your lower back.

Tip #6:

Aim your strikes at the outer edge of the log where the wood is weaker rather than in the middle. Doing this increases your chances of splitting and lessens the chance of getting your axe or maul stuck in the log. If you do get the head stuck in a large piece of wood, do not lift the full weight of the log, but simply crank the handle forwards and backwards (or up and down) until you wriggle yourself free.

Tip #7:

When bending over to move or lift a piece of wood, always remember to keep your back straight and bend at the knees!

Concepts borrowed by Jerry Yuhara, CPT, CES, CMT, “How to Save Your Back While Splitting Wood”. https://www.jyfit.com/fitness-blog/how-to-save-your-back-while-splitting-wood