How to get a garden workout
Is it possible to get a workout from weeding? You bet. Try it, and these other fun ideas.
You don't have to have a green thumb to reap the benefits of growing cherry tomatoes and rose bushes. Turns out, gardening is just as good as some of our other favorite fitness activities, like walking, biking, and playing softball, when it comes to exercise with major health-benefits.
In fact, every year on June 6, state garden clubs and thousands of "aerobic gardeners" across America celebrate National Gardening Exercise Day, encouraging people to do "yard exercise." Want to get in on this fun trend that boosts curb appeal—and cardiovascular health? Jeffrey Restuccio, a gardening and exercise expert, suggests the following tips to get the most out of your gardening workout.
Warm up by stretching your muscles for 5 to 10 minutes before heading out to the garden. Stretch again after 15 to 20 minutes of gardening.
Mix it up. Using a variety of motions at a steady pace, perform a variety the following moves: raking, mowing, weeding, pruning, digging. Alternate between them, every 15 minutes or so.
Bend at the knees not at the waist, especially when lifting heavy items, and use long-handled tools for raking or hoeing to avoid back strain and pain.
Cool down by walking, picking flowers or vegetables or just enjoying the fruits of your "exercise."