ZTor wrote:Hi there,
I was thinking about recommending the shovelglove to a female friend.
Are there any women reading this, willing to share some SG experience?
Are you using lighter hammers (than my 5kg ~ 11lb)?
What do you say, dear shuggettes?
I've only done it four times, so I'm not exactly the voice of experience, but here goes.
- I have been using my belly dance balancing sword, which weighs 3lbs, and is three feet long (about the same length as many sledge hammers).
- The weight is perfect for where I am right now. I do my routine in slow motion, and the muscles get fatigued after about 10 reps (up from 8 in the first session). If I do the movements quickly, it's too easy. (This is pretty consistent with my dance experience: doing something slowly and smoothly requires fuller muscle engagement and gives you fewer opportunities to cheat than doing it quickly.)
- It's been fun, and I'm already seeing better muscle tone. I usually get a little sore (pleasant "I just worked hard" sore, not "I overdid it" sore), but it goes away in an hour or two.
I would definitely recommend that your friend start with whatever she has on hand. She can always buy a sledgehammer later when she needs more of a challenge.
Besides, using different objects evokes different role-playing scenarios. I was originally attracted to the farmer imagery, but with sword in hand (especially in front of my dance studio mirrors), the series took on a lord of the rings-style sword maiden theme. I'm also toying with the idea of using a frying pan (ours have fairly long handles), a marble rolling pin, a 2x4, a light-weight bent-wood chair (Jerry Springer scenario?), etc., for more variety.
A good scenario goes a long way. I do a lot more housecleaning since I bought a pair of Gloveables (rubber gloves with cute ruffle edgings). Add an apron (and sometimes a dress and pearls), and I can do a mean Donna Reed impression (complete with 50s "better living through chemistry" propaganda movie soundtrack in my head) that will get me through doing the dishes, cleaning the kitchen, and throwing in some laundry.