Workout I Did: Shoveling Snowpocalypse
Just a reminder that this is our new feature called Workout I Did. Read them all and feel the workout love here!
Snowmageddon, Snowpocalypse and Snowzilla. It really doesn’t matter what you call it, but the Midwest recently got hit with not one but two major snowstorms. Like, more snow than I’d ever seen in Kansas City—and even more than the one winter I survived in Minnesota in graduate school. So, yeah, like a lot of snow—like a foot-plus for each storm system. Which, of course, had to be shoveled. And that leads me to the Workout I Did…
For this workout, you pretty much have to wear every piece of clothing you own. No matter if it matches. I personally think that the crazier and more mismatched you can look with your stocking cap, scarf and sunglasses, the better.
And then you get to shoveling. The key here—to get a really good workout and to avoid getting injured—is to bend your legs nice and deep when you start scooping. This will not only burn the heck out of your quads and hammies, but it also saves your back from getting jacked.
For both Snowpocalypse shoveling workouts, my husband and I actually went out with the intention of it being “a workout.” So we got low and worked interval-style where we’d clear a path, break, and then get going again. We never rested more than a minute, and that was usually just to stop and look around at how pretty the snow was (or help a neighbor get out of their driveway). And, my goodness, we certainly got our heart rates up.
Have I mentioned Ryan loves, loves, loves snow? Makes him giddy. (And note the bonus use he’s getting for his cool new Brooks Running jacket!)
Oh, and for added balance work (and because she loves it), I had Siena hooked up to me on our hands-free leash. She loves divebombing in the snow and chasing anything that moves, so I was always having to balance while I was shoveling. Bonus core WOD!
Ever done a snow shoveling workout? Survived Snowmageddon/Snowpocalypse/Snowzilla, too? —Jenn
Comments
Wow, very resourceful. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons 🙂
We don’t usually have much snow where I am, although I have had to do some snow shoveling before and it’s sooo much harder than I thought 🙂
I got a lot of snow recently so much that it took down a couple of limbs on my tree..I not only got a workout shoveling snow but also chain sawing my tree into firewood..both make a good workout!
I laughed when I saw your post about shoveling snow in Kansas City! I did an almost identical post on my blog – complete with photos of my dog and hubby and a mismatched outfit! (I live in KC, too.) Might as well make the most of it when you’re stuck at home and there is over a foot of snow on the ground! 🙂
Here’s the link in case you want to check it out! http://www.agirlinprogress.com/snowmageddon-day-2/
Wow! We were snow workout twins!!! 🙂
—FBG Jenn
That’s an interesting idea to do ‘interval-style’ snow shoveling. I have to try that next winter. But for this year I’m really done with it (wrings hands and hopes for a great spring starting now).
Ha, too bad my roommate’s girlfriend hogs all the snow shoveling duties! Got to wake up pretty early to beat Noelle to the snow shovel, and she’s got the shoulders to prove it :).
Nice pics. Looks like you all had fun doing this. I like the idea of doing physical chores as a chance to workout muscles of the body that we seldom use. I live on the West Coast, so there’s no snow. But I recently started washing my car on my own at one of those coin operated DIY places, rather than going to a full service place. It’s not as intense as shoveling snow, but it’s a chance to sweat a little whilst saving money.
Yep, Missouri got hit hard with that storm. I did more shoveling than I have done in years and was sore for days! The snow was pretty, but glad to see it finally melted.
I, too, like the idea of getting exercise where you can and taking advantage of nature’s opportunities for a fitness fix. However, I would disagree on one point. You say to put on everything you own. It seems that shoveling – especially given the giant piles of snow we got here in the Midwest – will build up quite a sweat. Wearing multiple piles of clothing will just hold in the moisture, leading to more of a chill. Wouldn’t it be better to wear moisture-wicking materials in thinner layers, to prevent sweat build up and the risk of hypothermia?
More of a joke than a serious suggestion, Thomas. 😉
—FBG Jenn
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