Gardening for Fitness

[Beankeeper]

Do any of you purposely use daily gardening for your fitness needs? My friend does it and although she is thin (even after two babies) and has been gardening for years, I don't notice anything different about her - no toning in her arms or anything. However, she does stay thin even though she eats as much as she wants so maybe gardening really is making a difference. Thoughts?

 

[MindyT]

I don't use gardening as my daily exercise routine. However, it can be grueling in the hot sun or after several hours of weeding. I find it more of a stress reliever than anything else.

 

[Beankeeper]

That's precisely how I feel about gardening and why I garden. I like to see a problem, work hard at fixing it, and see immediate progress. Not many things will relieve stress and give you an instant feeling of success these days as much as gardening, fixing things in general, and household chores. I know I sound like a lame-o but that's why I garden. Thanks for your input. I don't really see how gardening can be considered an actual fitness routine.

 

[firelily99]

Its not my intention to use it for exercise but it can be quite beneficial for that purpose. Mainly I garden because I love plants and it gets me out of my head for a few minutes everyday.

 

[Cheesy Potatoes]

I agree. Gardening is more of a relaxing hobby than a fitness routine, but it does help shave off a few calories here and there.

 

[titohunter]

I would imagine it would burn a lot of calories, that's about it probably. You do a lot of squatting, it may half way make your legs a little stronger.

 

[Pat]

I garden to relieve stress and to commune with nature. It can be a good work out but you don't do it every day so you may not get the physical toning but you will relieve some stress and have a beautiful garden to show for it.

 

[Trellum]

For me gardening is more like a very relaxing hobby, but never as a way to keep myself fit. It does help to keep yourself active, and gardening does provide some activity. So it can definitely help, much better than sitting on the couch the whole day, that's for sure!

 

[Beankeeper]

I agree with you all. If anything, gardening - depending on how much you have to do and how often - can be more like random strength training but not necessarily anything that will lead to noticeable weight-loss or muscle toning. It's really just a breather for the mind.

 

[davbonpol]

I suppose if you go out in the heat of the day and do anything physical it will help with weight loss. About the only thing I would do to pants at that time of day, woud be weed!

 

[Rosyrain]

I use gardening as a time to relax as well. I don't think I would want to view it as exercise, but it could be viewed as a form of yoga..all the bending and twisting to get to the weeds!

 

[Lostvalleyguy]

I used to refer to my gardening as an extreme sport. When you have a garden that is away from road access and have to fight off the forest, it does present some challenges. Gardening often involves a lot of bending, lifting, moving, twisting, pushing and pulling. You use your legs, your core, and your arms in the course of a gardening season. Any time that you spend on your feet rather than on a seat is better for you.

While most people don't have to knock down trees or clear paths for water lines, it still is a good activity that uses the entire body. I see most gardening as light exercise that should help keep one in shape.

 

[davbonpol]

Not to mention what it does for ones mental state. I love caring for my plants and garden, it is very meditative. Plus the act of just getting outside is majorly good for you!