Can't get to the gym? Rake in some exercise doing yard work

During spring and summer, my exercise routine changes quite a bit, and yard work is my workout at least a few days a week.

In the spring, grass grows fast, and to stay on top of my lawn I have to cut it frequently, more than once a week.

My lawn takes about 1 1/2 hours to cut, not including trimming or weeding.

How does a bout of yard work stack up against a prolonged treadmill walk?

When you compare the cost of treadmill walking with manipulating a big power mower (even one that is self-propelled), the caloric cost of mowing can be 10 percent to 20 percent more than walking briskly on the level.

I walk uphill on my treadmill, which increases the caloric cost, and therefore, my mowing and treadmill work probably cost nearly the same on a per minute basis.

Since I work longer in my yard, however, the overall cost of my yard work will be substantially more.

When I'm not cutting grass, I'm hauling mulch, digging or doing other gardening chores.

Although I keep myself in good shape throughout the year with a faithful exercise program, I still get sore and achy from yard work.

This is because I use different muscles, or I use the same muscles but in a different way.

Thus, hauling mulch can make my biceps sore even though I regularly perform dumbbell curls.

This is called "task specificity" — muscles get in a groove when performing a particular exercise in a particular way.

But if you move outside that groove, even just a little bit, it's a new and different exercise as far as your muscles are concerned.

But since you don't see it that way, you tend to push the muscles hard in this new direction, and — bingo — they get sore.

Exercise routines

Several days a week, I walk on the treadmill in my home. I may do this first thing in the morning, or, if that doesn't work, I do it when I can.

Some days, I feel like pushing myself a bit, other days I don't. I always start with a slow walk for several minutes to allow my joints to warm up and get ready for more vigorous work.