Does your garden look like an overgrown mass of weeds? Or maybe you tend to your patch regularly? Whether you love or hate it, your garden could look like the Chelsea flower show and you could not only get fit whilst doing it but perfect a great tan too.

Digging

This is an excellent way to burn calories and strengthen muscle tone. Why they don’t have a simulated digging machine in the gym I don’t know. Not only will it burn calories quicker than leopard chasing its own spots it will also tone your thighs, abdominals, upper arms and back.

Weeding

Make sure you have back support, but pulling out those dreaded weeds will have you crawling on all fours and perfecting skills used in everyday yoga

Shopping

Shopping for flowers and plants is therapeutic especially when you imagine what your garden will look like in the months to come. Lifting and carrying and transporting the plants is a great calorie burner.

Clipping hedges

If you hate your bingo wings then trim your bush. Any dividing hedges will not only benefit the appearance of your garden from a good clipping but will also benefit your upper arms.

Mowing the lawn

You’ll be amazed at how many muscle groups are involved in pushing a lawn mower up and down grass. Of course if you have a sit on mower you’ll be cheating, but an ordinary electric mower will strengthen your back, arms and upper legs. If you make sure your posture is good your abs will benefit too.

Building a rockery

There’s a reason builders generally have great abdominals and strong upper arms. Building a rockery in your garden burns off as many calories as rock climbing itself, without the heights!

Playing football

Yes, when it’s all done and you can sit back and admire your handiwork, what better way to celebrate than a family barbecue and a kick about with the children?

Published by Martina Mercer

Martina is a marketing consultant, SEO expert and freelance copywriter who enjoys gardening in her spare time. She especially likes to combine the joy of gardening with spending quality time with the children so everyone benefits from exercise and a good dose of fresh air daily. Martina is also the editor of Sunday Woman Magazine the luxury lifestyle mag for over 30 women with a brain :)

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