As someone who is very active, enjoys strength training regularly, I can honestly say there is no exercise that humbles me more than gardening. Deceptively strenuous in many ways, it can be a great workout. But, as with any exercise, it's important to make sure you're looking after your body while doing so.
Someone who knows much about this is 71-year-old Chris Rawlinson. A member of the woman&home tester network and keen gardener, Chris spends a lot of time tending to her large garden. And, to help protect her feet and back particularly while doing so, uses this Fiskars weed puller.
"This weeder is light and easy to use," Chris says. "I bought it about two years ago, having previously used a garden fork to dig out big weeds, especially ones with one long root. But this caused me to develop plantar fasciitis - the pressure of pushing down the top bar of the fork I think caused the damage.
"Using the weeder is much easier as it needs less effort to push in the prongs which surround the tap root and then close around it. Then a pull on the handle levers the weeder on the foot rest and out comes the weed. So much easier!"
This back- and foot-friendly tool has four serrated, stainless-steel claws, which when pushed into the ground get a firm grip on weeds and roots. Its long ergonomic handle has been designed specifically to make weeding easier for anyone who has trouble kneeling or bending, and an easy-eject mechanism clears the tool without the need to bend over and manually remove it.
"The weeds, which so often grow close to a plant I want, can be targeted without disturbing the roots of the other plants. It's particularly good for getting weeds in borders in summer."
Saving Chris' feet and back, this tool helps lessen the possibility of injuries often associated with everyday gardening. "The weeder also saves straining your back lifting a garden fork, or bending down to pull the weeds up."
If you're looking to head out in the garden to enjoy the forecasted sunshine, here are a few more helpful tools to make everyday gardening tasks just that little bit easier.
Helpful gardening tools
With over 2,000 reviews on Amazon, this two-in-one garden kneeler and seat gets an impressive average score of 4.7 out of 5 stars. "Well made. I
much appreciate being able to get up easily thanks to the "arms." Has made a huge difference to my weeding. Useful tool pocket. Folds away neatly between uses," wrote one reviewer just last month.
Designed to make gardening more comfortable, this easi-grip trowel features a specially angled handle to help keep your hand and wrist in a natural position, reducing strains and blisters that occur with conventional tools. The soft green handle helps with grip, and a waterproof coating makes it easy to use in wet weather.
This long reach pruning tool makes cutting and grabbing difficult to reach branches a cinch. A high carbon, sharp, non-stick blade can cut through fresh growth easily, and can handle stems up to 22mm thick. An easy-to-operate hand level rotate for easy access when needing to tackle pruning dense and/or tricky angled foliage.
Someone else who knows a lot about how strenuous gardening can be is Nadia Alibhai, also known as Nadia the Osteopath. Working as a celebrity osteopath and director and principal osteopath of Back 2 Well-Being for over 20 years, Nadia is no stranger to gardening ailments.
"Spring often brings a wave of enthusiastic gardeners into my clinic, usually with sore backs, aching knees, or tired arms after a weekend in the garden. Gardening can be wonderfully therapeutic, but it’s also a full-body workout, and your joints deserve a little care too.
"If you have a weed puller, fantastic, it can save you a lot of bending and strain. But if not, here are a few simple ways to protect your body while you tend to your plants:
- Mind your posture. Instead of bending from your waist, lower yourself closer to the ground by bending your knees or sitting on a low stool
- Support your knees. Place a soft outdoor cushion or kneeling pad under them to reduce pressure
- Take regular breaks. It’s easy to lose track of time, but even short pauses help prevent stiffness and fatigue
"Warm up first. Gardening uses more muscles than you think, so stretch your hands, wrists, shoulders, and hips before you start, especially if you’ll be using clippers or trowels.
"A little preparation and body awareness can make your time in the garden just as kind to your joints as it is to your plants."
