Looking Good With Aerobics- Big Y® World Class Market®

Aerobic exercise has been called air conditioning for the body. That's because sustained activities like pushing a mower, weeding a flower bed or trimming a hedge force your heart and lungs to supply more oxygen to muscles and other body tissues. Regularly making your heart and lungs work harder increases your endurance by one-third or more.

Health and fitness experts suggest spending 45 minutes, four or five days a week doing some form of moderate aerobic exercise. It's best to choose several activates you enjoy. Mix up strenuous chores like digging and hoeing with quiet pruning or trimming. When shopping for gardening supplies, park at a far corner of the lot and walk. In the off-season, you can substitute activities such as snowthrowing, mall walking, using an exercise bike, swimming laps or dancing.

Your aerobic exercise program should be designed to last a lifetime - the same as your enjoyment of gardening. With a hobby like gardening, you are doing your body a favor by keeping after your aerobic routine. You may not even realize you are doing your body a favor while gardening which makes it even better.

Aerobic exercise also is a safe, effective way to lose weight. In one hour, a 165-lb. person can burn about 500 calories pushing a non-propelled mower, 300 calories trimming shrubs or weeding, and 240 calories raking leaves or planting seedlings.

A recent study shows that adults who garden at least 60 minutes per week are 66 percent less likely to suffer heart attacks than couch potatoes. Other medical studies indicate that moderate aerobic exercise lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol and relieves stress.

If lawn mowing is one of your favorite workouts, consider a good mower that is easy to push. Four-wheel designed manual mowers reduce friction caused by the roller bar, making the mower easier to push and maneuver.

If you are looking at gas powered mowers, then use a high wheel mower. This kind of mower with oversized rear wheels allows for easier travel over rough terrain.