This ridiculous-looking fitness trend is surprisingly effective

It’s the best way to build abs while simultaneously drinking a beer

In April, the first indoor hatchet-throwing center opened in the United States—Stumpy’s Hatchet House in Eatontown, New Jersey. Think of it as the new bowling, or darts: Get together with friends, work on a new skill, compete with each other, and have a good time (Stumpy’s serves beer). And, oh yeah, build up your lats, shoulder muscles, and core.

“You can throw it with two hands or one,” says Stuart Josberger, co-owner of Stumpy’s, “and no two people throw the exact same way.”

Chucking the hatchet (basically an ax with a shorter handle) with all your might gets you nowhere, Josberger adds. “It’s all about finesse.”

But first, the boring safety stuff: “Make sure no one is around you before raising the ax,” says Josberger. “And if you’re watching a friend do it, make sure you give them plenty of space.”

“No one around you” means no one in your line of sight, behind you, or beside you. Seriously. This is rule number one. Don’t get lazy with it.

And at Stumpy’s, “if your toes are showing, you’re not throwing.” No, that’s not to keep your toes from being chopped off. Closed-toe shoes protect you from splinters that split off the wooden target as you retrieve the ax over and over.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, are you ready to get your testosterone pumping? Start with two hands, and once you get comfortable, you can try one. And prepare to sweat.

“It’s definitely a physical activity,” says Josberger. “You’re throwing a pound-and-a-half steel hatchet 12 feet at a target. You’ll be sore.”

No trendy ax-throwing center nearby? Prop a log round (at least 24 inches in diameter and 4 inches thick) atop a simple tripod of 2x4’s. Be smart: Go somewhere with plenty of space and no people. And be patient: It takes most people 30 to 45 minutes to master the one-handed technique, Josberger says.

Watch the video above to see exactly how to nail an ax throw. And here’s your step-by-step guide.

How to do a two-handed ax throw:

How to do a one-handed ax throw: