WOOO: Very functional, very basic and very productive I would think.
Ever done barrel lifting, with liquid inside, which can shift the weight load very quickly, giving unstable handling to the exercise. True old time stuff, with the liquid usually being beer and done in beer gardens in Germany, Poland, France, etc.. Cooper barrels used.
Played around with 55 gallon oil drums, with the narrow rim, when working at a mining plant in the high desert. Never a full drums, always less than fourth. Took a empty drum to the gym where I use to workout at. Fun stuff to see how much we could clean and press it overhead, adding or removing water for the weight.Quite a challenge for most guy's. Great for the grip. Kept in out in the back, behind the gym. Probably still there after so many years. Good Luck.