Gardening Stretches

Gardening counts as exercise so it’s important to approach it like a workout and do a warm up before starting and stretches afterwards.

When you garden, actions you take can include raking, digging, planting, and lifting. So you’re pushing, pulling, lifting and doing fine movements with your hands. Common areas of soreness after gardening include the lower back, legs, shoulders and wrists.

Gardening tips:

If you find yourself in one position for a long time, get up and move for 5 minutes

Be sure to drink water regularly - your cells and blood need water.

After gardening, it’s important to stretch immediately to help prevent soreness.

Here are post-gardening stretches you can do:

Forward fold (the back)

Hamstrings (glutes, hamstrings, calf)

Side stretch (thigh)

Calf stretch (calves, ankles)

Chest opener with hands behind back or pulled back (chest muscles)

Gentle twist (core and back)

Arm across chest (arm and upper back)