Wintertime means snow, no matter how you view it. While it may look beautiful from your living room window, many people do not look forward to shoveling it. Shoveling snow can provide a seasonal workout that can do you good, as long as you do it right. Shoveling the wrong way can lead to an injured back, shoulders, and wrists and plenty of muscle strain. In serious cases, it can bring on a heart attack.

Shoveling snow can be compared to weight lifting in that it involves a tremendous amount of exertion on the body and lots of energy output but does not engage the entire body in movement. It can lead to a fast increase in heart rate, as well as blood pressure. This winter chore is very demanding on both the cardiovascular system and the muscles.

To make sure that your shoveling experience will not result in an injury, always warm up before you grab the shovel and head for the outdoors. Walk around your home and stretch your back, arms and legs to get them limbered. Loosen your back muscles by bending forward, then backwards and then from side to side. You also can help your back by lying down and pulling your knees up to your chest. Marching in place can serve to get your blood flowing.

Buy a shovel that is most suitable for you. Lighter weight shovels that are smaller will pick up less snow at a time, but they are also less likely to cause injuries. Shovels that have a bend in them tend to be healthier for the back as opposed to straighter shovels.

It is easier to shovel snow that has just fallen as opposed to snow that is heavy and packed down, so go outside and get to work as soon as you see the snow starting to accumulate. Start out slowly. Always take breaks as you shovel, so you do not wear yourself out.

Try to push the snow whenever possible, as opposed to lifting it. This helps prevent injury to your back. Shovels with blades make this easier to accomplish.

Make sure you look out for ice under the snow as you shovel. You do not want to fall and break your neck (or anything else for that matter)! Observe winter safety at all times.

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