Ditch the trainers & put on your wellies!
Experts say gardening can be as beneficial as going to the gym. Time spent in nature has substantial benefits and improves your well-being.
Some gardening keep fit tips from the Oakfield team:
Lawn Mowing: If a short burst of HIIT is what you need, grab the lawnmower and burn some calories in 30 minutes with pushing it and tidying up the lawn.
Raking & Sweeping: Tidying up the leaves and grass provides a perfect cardio and core workout, while toning the arms.
Hedge Trimming: Working with heavier tools at shoulder height can really strengthen your upper back, neck and chest.
Chopping Wood: The ultimate cardio and upper body workout. Intense sessions of weighted chopping burns calories and tones muscles.
Gardening Injuries:
Whilst all of that may seem a perfect way to avoid the gym, remember you must still look after your back.
Do some gentle stretches before, during and after a heavy gardening day.
If an area is feeling stiff, it’s good to put a little heat on the area to increase blood flow and stretching.
If you’re actually injured though ice packs are the best thing, 15-20 mins applied to the painful area help enormously. (Wrap it up in a towel though)
As with all exercise, listen to your body, don’t continue the action if anything hurts.
See a chiropractor as soon as you can to help you recover fully.
