Stones are made for throwing
This weeks primal activity is as simple as throwing a rock!
I went out to the dirt couldesac at the end of the street and threw rocks for a while. There are a couple of dilapidated old dryers someone dumped out there and they made for great targets. This is a surprising amount of fun. It took me back to the days of my childhood skipping stones when backpacking.
As far as workouts are concerned, this wasn’t too much of one (I need to find heavier rocks). There is quite a bit of coordination that is required for getting a good throw though. It involves balance, hand-eye coordination, muscle range, timing and all sorts of good stuff. Most people don’t realize that a good throw requires your entire body. If you can’t throw a rock or a ball without being awkward then you really should practice! Your body will thank you.
How is this primal?
Well for one, Grok most certainly threw rocks. He probably used them for hunting and also probably competed with other Groks for distance and accuracy. Also, throwing a rock is much different than throwing a ball. Modern balls are designed for efficient flight and ease of throwing. A rock tends to be misshapen and unevenly weighted. The bigger the rock.. the harder it is to throw!
So get out there, find a rock, and start heaving it! Oh, but preferably not at anyone. You probably want to stay clear of windows and cars too.
December 1st, 2008 - 1:19 pm
What a fun activity SoG. A 20-30 pound rock would certainly word your body over pretty good. Especially if you use your whole body like in the shot put and switch throwing hands.
December 1st, 2008 - 4:05 pm
So people who live in glass houses should…. Okay, couldn’t help myself. Agree with Coed on this one, exercise sysmetrically and throw with both hands. Anyone ever consider that, just after running, throwing was man’s first athletic motion — any like his first competative endeavor….?
December 1st, 2008 - 4:25 pm
Coed Fitness Tips and Emergefit,
That is a very good point. Going back to what I said about “if its awkward then you should really do it”. I am definteley awkward throwing lefty so I should probably heed my own words and practice that!
The SoG
December 1st, 2008 - 4:37 pm
I once spent a year in bed after a skydiving accident. taught myself to juggle, write left-handed, and those actions now pay me fitness dividends regularly.
December 1st, 2008 - 5:35 pm
What about kicking rocks?? Is that a primal workout? Hahaha, just kidding! I’m gonna go throw some rocks on the way to the gym tonight! Thanks for the post
All the Best,
Andrew R
December 1st, 2008 - 7:33 pm
Emergefit,
I am jealous. Always wanted to skydive but have only static jumped.
Andrew,
I would not recommend that. Grok probably learned pretty quickly that kicking rocks hurt… especially on his bare feet. I don’t think that they had steel toed moccasins back then either.
The SoG
December 1st, 2008 - 8:08 pm
I did this one A LOT over thanksgiving weekend. with my daughter…with my nephew…who knew I was paleoexercising?!
December 1st, 2008 - 8:25 pm
It seems like everyday MizFit realizes that she is more primal than she thinks!