Shoveling Out

Snowmageddon hit us hard in Southcentral Pennsylvania, and yesterday afternoon was spent shoveling snow. As I've mentioned before, shoveling snow is a tremendous workout, assuming you are healthy enough to undertake this demanding work. We've all read numerous stories of heart attacks occurring while shoveling snow, so do not attempt to shovel out from a storm like this unless you have a clean bill of health from your doctor.

What are the benefits of shoveling snow? First, there is the calorie burn. A little research online indicated that snow shoveling can burn 100 calories or more in 15 minutes. Second, it is a great total body workout, as you are working the legs, core, arms and shoulders all in one exercise.

Obviously, if done improperly, you can injure your back. It is absolutely critical that you engage the legs, rather than do all of the work with the back. Yes, you still have to bend at the waist, and that will put some pressure on the back. But, if you engage the legs, you will simply get a good workout for the back.

Today, after 2 1/2 hours of shoveling 18 inches of snow from my driveway, I am modestly tender in the lower back, just as I would be in any muscle group the day after a good workout. That 2 1/2 hours of shoveling also indicates that I burned over 1,000 calories! So, not only did I get in a good strengthening workout for some key muscle groups, I contributed to my weight loss goal.

This is just one common sense activity you can perform to contribute to your golf fitness. There is no need to join a gym or buy any fancy equipment. Take advantage of these opportunities when they come along!

Scott Cole
powergolftraining.net
scottcolegolf.com