Edited by Daelyn Newman
Intro:
Spring is almost here (or at least it keeps teasing us), and soon it will be time to get back into the garden! Gardening can be a relaxing and rewarding hobby, but it can also be physically demanding especially on those really hot days. That's why it's important to prepare your body for the tasks ahead. Let's discuss some of the best exercises to prepare for gardening.
Gardening is a full-body workout. You use your arms, legs, back, and core muscles to lift heavy bags of soil, pull weeds, and plant flowers. It is important to incorporate exercises that work all of these muscle groups to help with mobility and to avoid injury.
Exercises for your Garden:
Let's start with the legs. One of the best exercises for strengthening your legs is the leg press. This exercise involves pushing a weighted platform away from your body using your legs. Not only will this exercise help you lift heavy bags of soil, but it will also improve your balance and stability. If you don't have access to a leg press machine, you can also try squats or lunges.
Next, let's talk about the arms. Gardening involves a lot of lifting and carrying, so it's important to have strong arm muscles. One of the best exercises for this is the bicep curl. This exercise involves lifting a weight using your bicep muscles. You can also try tricep extensions to strengthen the back of your arms. If you don't have access to weights, you can also use resistance bands.
Now let's move on to the back. Gardening often involves a lot of bending and reaching, which can put a strain on your back muscles. That's why it's important to strengthen these muscles before you start gardening. One of the best exercises for this is the lat pull-down. This exercise involves pulling a weighted bar down towards your chest using your back muscles. You can also try rows or pull-ups.
Finally, let's talk about the core. Your core muscles are important for maintaining good posture while gardening. They also help you lift and carry heavy objects. One of the best exercises for strengthening your core is the plank. This exercise involves holding a push-up position for an extended period of time. You can also try crunches or sit-ups.
While these exercises can be done at home with minimal equipment, there are some pieces of equipment that you can only find in a gym that can help prepare you for gardening. One of these is the kettlebell. Kettlebells are a great tool for strengthening your legs, back, and core muscles. They can also help improve your balance and coordination.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, gardening can be a great way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors. However, it's important to prepare your body for the physical demands of this hobby. By incorporating exercises that target all of your muscle groups, you can ensure that you're ready for whatever tasks come your way. And if you have access to a gym, consider trying out some of the equipment we mentioned to give your workouts an extra boost.
Happy gardening!
Send us updates and pictures of your own gardens! We love to see what you can grow.