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Shovel Snow

Posted By: Nick Ryan on 01/10/2011

Does your back get stiff every time you shovel snow?

There are a couple of possible reasons:

1. your back is weak

2. poor posture

3. single side dominance

4. too much snow in the shovel

You may notice it being one of these or a combination of them.  So how do you change it?  Great question.

Solution:

1. If you have a weak back work on strengthening the back muscles.  It is very commonly ignored in most peoples workouts.  If you don't workout you need to start.   If you do workout you may need to adjust your routine.  A couple of great lift to include are Deadlifts and Cross Body Lifts

2. Poor posture by using almost all back and no legs to lift the snow shovel.  Let your legs help you, the body was designed to handle a load in the upright position not bent over.  Doing the bent over shoveling scoop after scoop is bound to hurt your back. 

3. Single side dominance is when you throw the snow to only your right or only your left.  Alternate each scoop or do one section right handed and the other left handed.  It may feel awkward on the one side but it is better to feel awkward for a couple minutes than have a sore back for a couple days.  

4.  Too much snow in the shovel will force you out of position.  Take a smaller scoop so your body can handle it.