Not everyone loves mowing the lawn. As much as it might seem tiresome, it can greatly help you burn calories. Not much like running a marathon, but it still plays a significant role. If you are determined to lose more calories, but don’t have time to go to the gym, mowing the lawn will be an alternative. The only secret is to keep on doing it. The more you mow, the more calories you will burn.
What dictates how many calories you burn when you mow a lawn? One person will mow a lawn and burn a few calories. Another one will do it and burn more calories. Here are some of the factors that will determine how many calories you will burn.
Your Weight
Heavier persons tend to lose more energy when they engage in physical activities than lighter ones. A person weighing 90 kgs will burn more calories when mowing a lawn than one weighing 70 kgs. On average, you will burn up to 125 calories in an hour when using a riding lawn mower and 450 calories when using a push lawnmower.
How You Mow the Lawn
If you move faster when mowing a lawn, you will burn more calories than when you mow it while you move slowly.
Type of Lawnmower
You will need a lot of energy to operate a push lawn mower than a riding one. Hence, you are going to burn more calories due to the energy and effort you put in when mowing.
An automatic lawn mower will not require much of your energy too, and you will burn fewer calories when using it.
The Terrain of Your Lawn
If your lawn is sloppy, you will put more effort into moving the mower up and down. You will, therefore, burn more calories than when mowing an even lawn.
Nature of the grass
If your grass is long and tough, you will require to exert more energy to cut it. You will burn more calories than when mowing short, soft grass that is easy to maneuver around.
When mowing a lawn, you will definitely burn some calories. The biggest question is, how many? This will depend on the factors discussed above. You don’t need those workout deadlifts if you are a frequent lawnmower. The good thing about it is that it’s your whole body that is working out.
Other Garden Tasks That Will Help You Burn Calories
Other than mowing the lawn, there are other gardening tasks that will help you burn calories. Engaging in them will help you keep fit, and you don’t need to do more workouts. These include:
- raking
- Digging
- Landscaping
- Weeding
- Pruning
- Watering
- Clearing land
Other Benefits of Mowing Your Lawn
Mowing the lawn comes with several other benefits. These include:
1. Improves the Aesthetic Appeal of Your Home
A nicely manicured lawn appears beautiful and makes your space orderly. It also increases its value. If you want to sell your property, buyers will easily fall in love with it and not hesitate to buy it. An unkempt lawn makes a home look unattractive and pisses off potential buyers if it’s for sale.
2. You Will Save Money
If you hire someone to help you mow the lawn, it is most probable that you will have to part ways with a decent amount of money to pay them. Since lawn mowing is not a one-time thing, you will be spending a lot of money, as long as you have a lawn, and you want to keep it kempt. If you choose to mow it yourself, you will save a lot of money in the long run. The only thing that should be your biggest concern is buying a lawnmower, which is a one-time thing unless you wish to replace it after some time. Mowers have a long life span if properly maintained. You will also have to spend money on fuel and maintenance, which is not comparable to hiring someone.
3. Keeps the Grass Healthy
Perhaps keeping the grass healthy is the most important reason for mowing a lawn. Properly cut grass will absorb water and useful nutrients that promote its good growth. Cutting it at appropriate heights ensures that the lawn does not develop uneven patches. It also helps prevents the growth of weeds, which would act as competitors with the grass. It also keeps pests away. Lawns with tall unkempt grass act as hosts for pests.
Safety Precautions You Should Take When Mowing A Lawn
People have gotten injuries when using lawnmowers. Some have had minor injuries, while others have gotten major ones. Some of the injuries are a result of ignorance, while others happen accidentally. Here are some tips to help you keep safe when mowing your lawn.
1. Read the Mower’s User Manual
Before you even start using the mower, carefully read the user’s manual it comes with. It contains usage instructions and safety precautions you should adhere to. If you have bought a second-hand mower and it does not have the manual, you can research it on the internet. It will help you know how to properly use it without risking getting injuries.
2. Keep It Away from Children
Do not let children under 12 years operate a lawnmower without the supervision of an adult. Don’t let small kids be near the lawn when you are mowing it. They could get hit by objects stuck on the mower. This also applies to adults. Avoid carrying them on the lawn, too, as they might easily fall over. It is designed to carry only one person. Always remove the ignition keys. Aggressive kids might confuse the machine for a toy and want to play with it. Some models have keyless ignitions; you only have to put a code to start them.
3. Have Hearing Protection
Using a lawnmower once does not pose any hearing risk on you. The problem is frequently getting exposed to the noise. Mowers can produce up to 100 decibels of noise, which is not very good for the years. Wearing hearing protection gadgets will protect you from possible hearing problems.
4. Be Careful on The Hills and Sloppy Areas
Be careful not to slip when mowing on hilly areas, especially when working on wet grass. Reduce the mowing speed on such areas to maintain balance.
5. Wear the Right Shoes
Wear closed mowing shoes when mowing a lawn. Open shoes are less stable, and you might fall off the mower in the next minute. If you wear open shoes and come into contact with hot surfaces of the mower, you will get burnt.
6. Be Careful Not to Get Burnt
The exhaust and the engine can become very hot and cause burns if your skin comes into contact with them. Always avoid getting near them and wear clothes that cover you entirely.
Conclusion
If you are determined to burn some more calories, make mowing one of your chores. Engaging in other gardening tasks like weeding and digging will also help you burn calories. It will also offer you other benefits like peace of mind. In this case, it is a win-win situation for you and the grass. The grass will grow healthily and make your home beautiful and organized.
