Winter is here and Philly has it's first snow of the year. Even though we only has a few inches on the ground, as I was out shoveling I saw a lot of people hunched and bent over trying to lift the icy mix and fling it off to the side. Also, don't think of it as work. Turn it into a fun little workout by using the tools you are given... a shovel and white, icy resistance.
So how can you turn shoveling into a workout? First, use good form! Snow, depending on density, can have a decent weight to it. Couple that with the fact that the weight (snow) is roughly 4 feet away from your body, depending on the length of your shovel, so lifting with incorrect form could really be the straw that breaks the camels back - or yours.
Next, switch it up and make sure you are giving both sides of your body a turn - just like you would work both sides of your body at the gym. Then, get creative with it. Here are few ideas for you...
1. You could do a deadlift pattern (again use good form and keep a straight back).
2. Explosively throw the snow over your shoulder and behind you.
3. And one that I did today, stand behind the shovel with both hands on the handle and vigorously start to plow the snow with quick bursts pushing.
4. Don't start out with a shovel, but use a broom. Take a good stable stance and start sweeping from side to side, working in the transverse plane, getting a good twisting workout.
Doing these 4 movements for 30 minutes is perfect right before a nice lunch or dinner.
Please comment and share some of your creative exercises that might like to do with the shovel and the snow...
Thanks for reading and stay healthy!
Jim
No comments:
Post a Comment