Forget the winter we just had and smell the roses!!
This time of year is always one we look forward to. The grass is green and thick. The gaping, wide-open colourful tulips are sponging up the rays of spring sunshine. The earth needs a good turning. But then, bags of sand need to be moved. Leaves need to be raked. Holes have to be dug. The lawn needs mowing.
Whew!
No need to fret! Get your body garden-ready!
Toiling in the garden does not seem to be such a demanding job. However, gardening is not just a 5-minute thing. It is more like a 5-HOUR thing! Gardening is a great way to get out and (re-) learn how to use your legs, core and back muscles.
Bend. Squat. Lunge. Pull. These are the 4 movement patterns are what we use when gardening…but BENDING is the one that bothers us the most.
When crouching down, ensure that everything is close at hand so there is no reaching.
When standing, bend at the hips and NOT by flexing the lower back no matter how light/heavy the object (remember that you are doing this repeatedly).
Learn to draw your belly in when you are about to bend down, and
If you can’t bend too far with your hips, use your legs to get down and ease up strain on your back by being on one knee.
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As for getting yourself stronger and leaner, whether it is for gardening or not, we are PROUD to present to you our new challenge!!
