09/10/2026
π **Yard Work Counts, But Is It a Workout?**
Fall is coming, and with it comes raking leaves, cleaning up gardens, carrying bags, cutting back plants and getting the yard ready for colder weather.
If you've ever spent an afternoon doing fall cleanup and felt it the next morning, you already know: **yard work is physical activity!**
Raking, digging, pushing a wheelbarrow and carrying leaves can get your heart rate up and use muscles throughout your legs, arms, shoulders, back and core.
But does yard work replace your regular workouts?
**Not necessarily.**
Yard work is great for keeping you moving, but most of us don't rake leaves or garden in a way that systematically trains all of our major muscle groups. A well-rounded fitness routine should still include a combination of:
πͺ Strength training
β€οΈ Cardiovascular activity
βοΈ Balance and stability work
π€Έ Mobility and flexibility
**A personal training tip:** Treat a long afternoon of yard work like other physical activity. Warm up for a few minutes first, change positions and tasks regularly, take breaks, and avoid repeatedly twisting while carrying something heavy.
When lifting bags of leaves, soil or other heavy objects, keep the load close to your body and use your legs rather than trying to do all the work with your back.
And yes, the movement you get while working around your home absolutely counts toward an active lifestyle.
**You don't have to be in a gym for your body to know you're moving.**
Enjoy the fall weather, get some jobs done and give yourself credit for the activity along the way. π
Billy Leung Health & Fitness