Spring Into Shape With Outdoor Chores

It can be hard to keep up a regular exercise schedule on top of the mountain of spring cleaning chores facing you. But there’s some consolation: Doing housework counts as a form of exercise.

This spring, take advantage of the time you’ll already be spending outside and burn more calories by turning your outdoor chores into workouts.

We’ve paired the following chores with exercises recommended by WebMD, so that you can finish your spring tasks without sacrificing fitness.

Looking for a new workout routine? Try one of our fun workout ideas.

Trim Leaves and Calves

Since you’ll already be reaching up to trim your trees and taller shrubs, why not add calf raises to the task?

Hold on to something, like a stepladder, for balance and stand with your feet hip-width apart. Raise your heels so that you’re standing on your toes, hold, and then lower your heels back down.

Become an Extreme Gardener

While we’re still waiting for “extreme gardening” to be a real thing, you can add exercises like lunges to bump things up a bit.

When pulling weeds, step forward with one leg, keeping your upper body straight and abs tight. Lower your hips until both knees are at a 90-degree angle, and push back up to the starting position to complete the lunge. Then you can pull those pesky weeds out of your garden.

When doing other garden work, be sure to switch the arm you’re working with periodically to equally distribute the muscle work.

Tips

Don’t be afraid to make extra trips. Leave your tools in the garage so that you have to walk back and forth to retrieve them.
Keep your core engaged.
Always use your legs instead of your back when lifting something heavy, like a bag of fertilizer or mulch.

Always consult your doctor before trying any new exercises.

How do you make the most out of your outdoor chores? Tell us in the comments below!

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