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4 Gardening Workout Tips

Sometimes we need to weed out time within our busy day to make room for a workout. But, if that’s not possible, maybe we need to count the act of weeding as our workout!

You don't need a green thumb to reap the benefits of growing veggies and tending to flowers. Gardening activities like mowing the lawn, trimming shrubs, raking leaves and planting can be just as valuable to your workout routine as fitness activities like walking and biking. In fact, thousands of "aerobic gardeners" across America celebrate National Gardening Exercise Day and encourage people to do more "yard exercise." Below are some tips to help boost your curb appeal and your cardiovascular health



1. Warm up! Stretch your limbs and muscles for 5-10 minutes before you start gardening. This is a great time to find your inner Zen too. Embrace the warmth of the sunshine, smell the earthiness of the grass, and feel the calming lull of the gentle breeze.



2. Fix your form! Bend at the knees and not at the waist. This is especially important when lifting heavy items such soil, mulch or lawn refuse bags. Use long-handled gardening tools for raking or hoeing to avoid back strain and pain. When picking up and carrying scattered branches, your body is doing repetitive motions that mimic fitness activities.



3. Mix it up! When gardening, you use a variety of different motions -- raking, mowing, weeding, pruning, digging – often at a steady pace. Think about alternating between these activities every 15-20 minutes like you would with leg and arm workout circuits.



4. Cool down! Make sure to stretch again for 15-20 minutes after gardening. Possibly enjoy the mist of the hose for a literal cool down. Or, take some time to smell the roses during a relaxing peaceful stroll. Enjoy the fruits of your labor…and the benefit of exercise.



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