Metal Detecting for Exercise
Metal Detecting For Exercise
One of the byproducts that is created from the hobby of metal detecting is that it is a fantastic form of exercise for people. What is amazing about this facet of the hobby is that it is something very few people think about when they decide to start out and pursue metal detecting as something to do.
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What has grandpa been hiding? Photo Credit: Napendra Singh - Unsplash
This is because they usually are thinking about finding Saxon gold, recovering Civil War relics, or cashing in on finding grandpa’s buried mason jar with silver or old coins from the backyard.
The best part about metal detecting for exercise is that it will benefit everyone who partakes in it regardless of age, young or old, and it is a great way to get out and enjoy some fresh air while working all types of muscles.
In this edition of the Metal Detecting Life, I’ll discuss different ways metal detecting for exercise can help improve your health and wellness, both physically as well as mentally, which also will give you the perfect excuse to tell your loved one(s) that you “NEED” to go out metal detecting so you can burn off those extra calories.
Swinging a Metal Detector
Top Selling Metal Detectors
The act of swinging a metal detector in itself is a workout. Many people solely base their decision on which metal detector to buy based on the weight and balance (how it feels in the arm) of the machine.
The difference in swinging a Tesoro Vaquero metal detector which is very light at 2.2lbs versus swinging a machine like a Whites MXT which weighs in at 6.4lbs! As you can imagine, the Tesoro is like swinging a piece of straw compared to the MXT which is an entire bale!
A machine like the Minelab CTX 3030 weighs in at 5.2lbs (which I just purchased because it is hands down a beast in the field), but because of the build quality and where the arm cuff rests on your forearm, much of the weight from the coil is alleviated as it is distributed throughout the unit based on how it fits your arm.
Muscles That Get Worked From Metal Detecting
Photo Credit: Ben White - Unsplash
Arms
Digging multiple plugs and targets throughout a hunt requires a bit of upper body strength. After a 4 hour hunt, I’ve often felt my arms turn to jello as I began to fatigue from digging so much. The next day, I would wake up still sore and would think to myself, “what did I do to make my arms ache so much? I didn’t even go to the gym.”
Only then would I realize it was from metal detecting and how much exercise I actually got during my latest hunt. Specifically, my forearms and biceps were whipped!
Using those muscle groups to help me lift and hold my detector as I swing and then to power through the soil as I dig deep to retrieve each target certainly takes its toll. To help with the fatigue and repetitive motion, it is important to remember to switch the detector to the other arm from time to time.
This can be challenging to do and may feel awkward the first few times you do this because most of us are used to swinging the detector with our dominant hand. Imagine trying to throw a ball with your non-dominant hand and how silly you feel because you have no form or strength to actually throw it very far.
Fatigue can lead to poor swinging form when metal detecting like having your coil too far off the ground.
The same is true when you switch the detector to your other arm. Your form to swing will likely not be very good and you may even find it difficult to begin with because you haven’t built up much strength for that motion with that arm yet.
Of course just like throwing a ball, it will get better with practice as you build reputation and strength. This will also help reduce the likeliness of injuries occurring due to fatigue because you are not overworking any one arm/muscle group. Using your arms as you are metal detecting is also a great form of cardiovascular exercise.
Chest and Shoulders
The standard motion of metal detecting as you swing your metal detector back and forth works many upper body muscle groups including the chest and shoulders. This motion specifically is working the pectoral muscles, rotator cuff, and trapezius muscle groups.
Swinging a metal detector can help strengthen muscle groups such as the mid to lower trapezius muscles. Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema - Unsplash
Because you are only swinging the detector and doing this motion on one side of the body, it is another important reason to be sure to switch arms you swing the metal detector with to help balance the workload your body is putting out so that you work both sides equally.
Switching sides will also assist in keeping you from fatiguing those muscles quickly and will allow you to detect for longer periods each outing.
Working the same muscle over repetitively can quickly tire it out and cause fatigue or lead to injury. Photo Credit: Freestocks - Unsplash
Protecting your muscles from fatigue will also help prevent you from possible injury because it is estimated that around 26% of muscular strain injuries occur after fatigue has set it (Hawkins, R. D. (2001). The association football medical research programme: an audit of injuries in professional football. British Journal of Sports Medicine).
Legs
Your legs will surely get a workout as you walk throughout parks or up and down the beach. I’ve estimated that I’ve walked about 2.5 miles on any given hunt and I try to do at least 2 hunts per week. This had me wondering how far I’ve walked in the 14 years I’ve been metal detecting. Well…
Just walking 2.5 miles/hunt x 2 hunts/week x 52 weeks x 14 years = 3,640 miles! That’s nearly 139 marathons! It would have been like walking from Chicago, Illinois to Anchorage, Alaska! All this walking could end up in producing some weight loss over the course of time as well. Just putting in 2 miles a day could result in 19+ lbs lost over the course of a year! Add in the extra output of digging and swinging a metal detector and that amount could be even more.
I’m working on my flexibility and balance.
Another metal detecting exercise that your legs are benefiting from and may not even realize it is when you are recovering a target. In order to retrieve each target, you are squatting down and then back up, sometimes multiple times if you need to recheck your plug or if you didn’t pop the target out of the hole the first time around.
This will have your quads, hamstrings, and gluts will be looking good in no time the more targets you are squatting down to recover.
Core Strength
One muscle group that seems to be neglected in everyone’s life but one we all wish we had looking better is the core. This doesn’t mean that everyone metal detecting must have or would want “washboard” abs, but having those muscles strong enough and in shape to help carry the load of the rest of the body is important.
Finding your inner metal detectorist when you need to focus on your core. Photo Credit: Kaylee Garrett - Unsplash
As you swing your metal detector, one of the core muscles that helps keep you stable are you obliques. These can help keep your mid section in place and from rotating your trunk while your arm is making the traditional sweeping motion back and forth.
If your obliques are out of shape, you may begin to find yourself having to rotate at the waist more often and your arm will begin to tire out quickly.
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Having a strong core can help prevent injuries in other areas of your body because it helps bare the load that is being put on those other muscle groups.
If your core is weak and not assisting in helping those other muscles, the full load being put on them can be what causes injury because they simply cannot handle that much work.
Heart Health
Metal detecting adds to a healthy heart. Photo Credit: Jamie Street
Metal detecting for exercise and getting outdoors to move around while putting on a few miles will certainly impact one very important muscle, and that is the heart.
Arguably the most important muscle in the human body, the heart gets a great workout every time you go out metal detecting searching for your next piece of treasure.
With every step or movement you make while metal detecting, you’re working your heart and most likely not even thinking about it because you’re simply out enjoying this great hobby!
Water Resistance Training
For those who enjoy metal detecting in the water, there are added benefits too doing so when it comes to exercise. Metal detecting in the water is an excellent form of cardio exercise and it causes you to burn more calories quicker due to the added resistance that the water creates as you swing your metal detector.
Because water has more viscosity than air, it in turn makes you work harder while you are metal detecting in the water. The process of walking and digging targets also creates added resistance which will increase the work output just to have to recover an item.
Walking through water creates more frontal resistance as your body is pushing through the flow of the water and there is a lot of surface area from your body pushing back at the water you are displacing. In turn, as you swing the metal detector which is adding drag, an eddy is created from the holes in the coil and is also increasing the amount of work it takes to control and swing the metal detector in the water.
With the added buoyancy created from water, the act of metal detecting and walking is easier on the bones and joints and is low-impact. The added resistance from water also helps increase heart rate quicker due to the extra effort it takes to move at the rate you would on land which also in effect gives your lungs a great workout as well.
Metal Detecting Exercise For Seniors
People of all ages are able to enjoy metal detecting as a form of exercise. Photo Credit: Roger Starnes Sr - Unsplash
Many people believe that metal detecting has developed a stigma as a “senior citizen” activity or hobby which is because everyone sees older or retired folks enjoying the hobby.
This assumption may be for several reasons:
Once someone is retired, they have the “time” to go out and metal detect.
Retired people are able to afford investing in a metal detector.
Metal detecting is a lazy person’s hobby and doesn’t require much effort physically, therefore seniors are able to participate in it.
The real truth is that metal detecting is a great way for senior citizens to exercise and is a hobby that they can participate in and benefit physically from for many years.
This is due to the fact that metal detecting can be a relatively low impact form of exercise on the body, especially by metal detecting in the water as it eases the stress put on one’s bones and joints, but helps build strength from the added water resistance.
Also, because metal detecting generally only involves walking as the primary source of mobility to be able to participate in it, there is no need to have to be able to run in order to be successful in retrieving one’s targets!
Even if mobility is an issue for some, using a metal detector with a walker or wheelchair is not out of the question. Having a friend come along to help dig and retrieve a target is a wonderful method to keep one engaged socially and to strengthen their mental well-being.
Mental and Social Wellbeing
Metal detecting is great for both mental and social wellbeing.
With all of the discussion around the benefits of metal detecting for physical exercise, it should be mentioned that there are also additional benefits of metal detecting when it comes to mental exercise and stimulation.
While I am out metal detecting an area, my brain is consistently providing feedback on environmental conditions, assessing my detector’s feedback, evaluating the terrain, and monitoring my surroundings.
Before choosing an area to go to and metal detect, I am putting in hours of research to help increase the likelihood that I will be able to find something worthwhile. Once I find something worthwhile, I will take it home and conduct even more research to help myself learn and understand what it is that I just found.
Even as I sit here in front of the computer writing this very article for you, I am working my brain to draw from all of my experiences to help provide valuable insight for my readers.
As great as metal detecting can before for your physical wellbeing, it is also an excellent form of mental exercise and can help keep your brian and wit sharp!
Perhaps metal detecting is in its own right a “fountain of youth” of sorts!
Metal Detecting During COVID-19
This article is timely for many people who want to metal detect as we are dealing with the current crisis of COVID-19.
Metal detecting is perfect when practicing social distancing, which ironically most detectorists are usually “detecting hermits” anyway and tend to keep to themselves. One could argue that we’ve been preparing for these types of regulations for years!
YES, YOU CAN GO OUT AND METAL DETECT during the COVID-19. However, with that in mind, I strongly advise you to use your best judgement and practice caution if you decide to venture outdoors and in to the public.
Finally, if you exhibit or have any symptoms of the coronavirus, DO NOT leave the house and seek professional, medical advice.
Summary
Metal detecting lunges.
With all of the benefits that metal detecting can provide for one’s wellbeing, it is easy to see why so many people enjoy the hobby. Yes, there is of course the allure of finding treasure which naturally draws people in to the hobby in the first place. However, the more someone metal detects, the more they begin to see, feel, and understand the added benefits that come with the hobby.
Even though many people will metal detect as a solo treasure hunter, there are many who enjoy hunting together and meeting up with other like-minded individuals. This is why joining a metal detecting club offers many benefits.
This is of course difficult to do however with the present threat of COVID-19 and social distancing to be encouraged amongst everyone, but for that reason you may be able to supplement your social distancing with making social connections with other treasure hunters through online forums or Facebook groups.
Regardless of why you decided to start metal detecting, these additional benefits make it easy to see why this is such a great hobby and why it is one that can be done throughout a lifetime. What other benefits does metal detecting give you? How far do you walk or how long do you often metal detect during each hunt? Leave a comment below and please remember to stay safe and stay healthy out there!
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