As the icy slush of winter melts into spring, it's time to think outdoors. Personal trainer Andrea Metcalf says getting ready for the green growth of spring provides a budding opportunity for another kind of workout, which she calls Garden-lates.
Like my other Pilates-inspired routines, Garden-lates provides tips on getting your body ready and aligned. Working in the yard can be a great form of exercise. Mowing a lawn with a power mower can burn around 300 calories per hour (for a 150-pound person). Raking the lawn burns around 270 calories per hour. Planting seedlings can burn around 306 calorie per hour.

Keep in mind, however, that the bending, pulling, raking and pushing can wreak havoc on your sedentary body. Try these five simple Garden-lates exercises to be ready for your garden experiences.

Wide Posture Pulls
Using a piece of tubing or exercise band, start with your arms extended in front of you and your shoulders relaxed. Slowly pull your arms to a wide position and hold for 3 to 5 seconds. This exercise helps strengthen the upper back muscles.
Published 03/25/2010

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