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5 Tips for Shoveling Snow

Are you the type of person who dreads the snow? Does the thought of shoveling snow make you groan? You’re not alone. Shoveling snow can be a real pain in the neck– literally! Luckily, there are a few tricks you can use to make this chore more manageable. Check out these 5 tips for snow shoveling down below. 1. Warm-up first You may not think of snow shoveling as a strenuous activity that requires a warm-up, but it is! Getting outside with the shovel before taking a second to warm up your tight and cold muscles increases your chances of injury. Your warm-up doesn’t need to be complicated; something as simple as a brisk walk or a couple of dynamic stretches is enough to help your body prepare for the task ahead. 2. Choose the right gear Low back pain from shoveling snow can be exacerbated by improper equipment. Make sure you have access to both an ergonomic shovel and boots with great traction. The last thing you want is to slip and fall! 3. Use proper technique Do you know the proper technique for shoveling snow? Keeping your back straight and leading with the hips instead of the lower back is essential. Ensure that your chest is pushed out and pointing forward. And most importantly, when you lift, rely on your leg muscles with a soft bend in the knee. 4. Take breaks While it may be tempting to finish shoveling your driveway in one go, failing to pace yourself is how you get injured. Try spreading out the work you have to do over multiple days instead. 5. Push the snow, don’t lift It’s much easier on your body to push piles of snow down to the street than it is to carry heavy loads out of your way. Invest in a shovel specifically designed for pushing snow.

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