Gardening Can Be Great Exercise

When you think of gardening, what comes to mind? A lush lawn, shade trees, flowering plants, tasty vegetables and sweet fruit. Most gardeners think that beatifying their surroundings is reward enough. What if you could beautify and improve your shape as well. Just think about how much work or exercise is involved in taking care of your yard. Starting with defining the layout and choosing the right spot before you begin preparing the soil to the long anticipated harvest. Let's examine the whole workout process shall we.

If you have ever put in a long hard day going yard work, then you will have no problem realizing how much exercise is involved in good garden design and maintenance. The next time you need to blow off some steam, instead of yelling at someone, go in your yard and start turning over the sod, breaking up clods of dirt, digging or raking. Soon your anger will subside and you will have put it to good use for a change. People start gardening as a hobby not realizing how beneficial it can be for both mind and body.

When you have to fill that wheelbarrow with compost, move those heavy patio containers or dig a hole for that new fruit tree, just think all of those different muscle groups you are using and what a whole body work out you are getting.

I know people always say to stretch before you workout, but I like to warm up my muscles before I stretch. So the next time you want to work in your yard, perhaps gathering your gardening tools, getting your favorite shovel, rake and spade and loading it into those five gallon buckets you get from the home and garden store, will be enough of a warm up. Now your ready for your stretching routine. Remember not to spend long periods of time hunched or bent over or even on your knees. Take frequent stretching breaks, your back will thank you.

Weeding and pruning are a necessary chore in any landscape. They may not be your favorite outdoor activity but when you consider them to be some of the best workout routines a gardener can get, that may be all the inspiration you need. With the constant squatting, standing and lunging the legs get a real workout. If you haven't watered first, those weeds will be harder to pull and your arms will become firm and toned just from removing the dreaded weeds from your garden. Make sure you switch hands, working each arm equally.

When you visit the nursery and are tempted to get carry out service for the pots and bags of fertilizer, think of it as exercise. You will have to carry your gardening supplies from the garden center to your car and finally to your flower beds. Always remember to lift with your legs and not your back

Gone are the days of hiring the neighbor kid to mow your lawn for five bucks. So instead, mowing your own grass can also be great exercise. If you really want to push it to the limit use the old reel mower the kind you have to push yourself. Your entire upper body, chest, arms, back, and shoulders will get a workout. Your thighs and glutes also get worked as you propel the mower. Not only do you get a full body work out, but it can improve your hearts health as well. If the grass is long or wet it will increase your cardiovascular activity.

So the whole lawn care and garden experience takes on new meaning. Home gardening now becomes a way to get in shape or lose some weight. As with any exercise program make sure to stretch out and drink plenty of water. As you look at all your hard work, watching those flowers blooming, you not only have a beautiful garden design, your healthier too.