Things to consider:
What to wear
Wear clothes that are loose and do not constrict your movement.
Make sure you warm up
Gardening is an exercise; therefore you need to warm up first. Start off with lighter jobs as this will lessen the chance of muscle strain. Vary your activity.
When using a ladder
When using a ladder or steps, make sure you are always facing it, keeping your shoulders, hips and knees pointing in the same direction. Never over reach, move the ladder or step regularly to keep up with where you are. Any kind of ladder must be firmly and safely planted in position and, if possible, have someone else there to keep an eye on things.
When pruning
Avoid over-stretching. Get as close as possible to the things you are pruning. Invest in some long handled secateurs to reach plants and bushes that are beyond normal reach.
Take regular breaks
Vary your activity by spending no more than 20-30 minutes on any one thing and make sure you take regular breaks.
When paving
If laying a patio, keep the slab close to your body and bend your knees. It is sometimes better to bend one knee rather than two, as your supporting leg gives you a position of strength. If using railway sleepers, two people will probably be needed.
For further advice on good gardening posture in Worcestershire and Birmingham, call:
01527 831 467
Don't overdo it with the trowel
We love our gardens and spend a considerable amount of time and effort on them. As we rush, there is a risk that we may injure ourselves. What we want is to be fit and healthy enough to actually enjoy sitting in the garden and enjoy the fruits of our labours come summer time. Here is some helpful advice on how to help keep you injury free.
Gardening posture top tips
1: When planning a trip to the local DIY store to buy heavy items such as cement or gravel, buy smaller bags rather than one big bag as they are easier and safer to carry.
2: When you do buy heavy items, use a trolley and if on your own, ask an assistant at the store to help you.
3: When buying items like compost, sand or gravel in bulkier amounts, shovel the contents of the large bags straight into smaller containers or wheelbarrow from the back of the car.
4: Don’t lift with your arms straight out, keep the elbows bent and to your side to minimise the stress on your back. Bring the item close to your body.
5: When having items delivered, have them unloaded as close to where you need them as possible; this will save the effort of moving them again.
6: A specialist garden trolley might be worth investing in to move these sorts of materials around, especially if you have lots of patio pots to move around as well.
