Still sore after shoveling from the snowstorm? Teddy Savage is the head of health & fitness excellence at Planet Fitness and he joined us with some stretching tips to avoid injury.
Shoulder and Mid-section Warm-up
Savage says to warm up your shoulders and mid-section, start with a three quarter lunge. While you do this, take your shovel and extend it in both your arms up toward the sky as you go down. Make sure to try to point your chest toward the sky as much as possible. This will help to stretch your lower back, shoulder and the abdominal region.
Thoracic and Oblique Stretch
Start with a three quarter squat with the shovel held in front of you with both hands. As you stand up, take one elbow to the opposite knee in a twist and alternate. This will warm up and stretch your thoracic area and your oblique muscles.
Lastly, place your shovel on your shoulders while standing, then bow, bringing your chest toward the ground.
Putting it all together while shoveling, step into the scoop while shoveling, rather than bending at your back. Next, twist your whole upper torso, not just your arms. This way, you are using your abdominal muscles, obliques, and back muscles to shovel.
