Your gym might be closed for the season, or maybe you’re just craving a fitness shake-up more original than your playlist. But what if we told you that you could burn calories, boost your mood, and strengthen your muscles—all without stepping out your front door? Welcome to the world of gardening, where putting on gloves could burn as many calories as donning your workout gear. Yes, you read that right: your backyard can double as your personal, open-air gym, and doctors say the benefits are real!
Why Gardening is the Workout You Never Knew You Needed
Dr. Jimmy Mohamed, a physician who recently took to Instagram to share his fitness revelation, claims that gardening isn’t just for green thumbs or retirees with floppy hats. If you’re looking to inject some originality—and legitimate exercise—into your daily routine, your flowerbeds and lawn might be a secret weapon.
According to Dr. Mohamed, spending hours tending your outdoor space can torch as many calories as your typical cardio session. Forget the treadmill; cultivating and maintaining your garden delivers a physical and highly effective workout that just might surprise you.
A Closer Look: Calorie Burn by the Bunch
Let’s address the elephant—or should we say, lawn mower—in the room: mowing the lawn. While it might feel like an endless chore, pushing that mower around for an hour burns about 300 calories. That’s the equivalent of—wait for it—an hour of alpine skiing, as Dr. Mohamed explains. And the movements involved aren’t just random stretches: you’re engaging your legs, arms, back, and joints, making mowing a complete and dynamic exercise.
But wait, there’s more! Digging holes and picking up debris are also quintessential gardening activities that demand real muscle power. These actions work your biceps, shoulders, and trapezius (yes, those muscles you forgot existed until you tried shoveling), effectively strengthening them. Dr. Mohamed himself confessed with some surprise, “I never would have believed it was so physical—it’s really tough!”
Not convinced yet? Weeding deserves its athletic credentials, too. In fact, an hour spent pulling weeds is comparable to 25 minutes of swimming, says the doctor. This task is no walk in the park; it requires intense use of your arms, shoulders, and back while also improving your coordination and strength.
- Mowing the lawn: ~300 calories/hour (as demanding as an hour of skiing)
- Digging holes or picking up debris: effective for strengthening biceps, shoulders, and trapezius
- Weeding: one hour = 25 minutes of swimming in energy expenditure
Mental Benefits: Beyond the Physical
If you thought gardening just gave you sore muscles and a nice view, think again. Dr. Mohamed points out that gardening also stimulates your mind. “It’s even been shown that people who garden have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” he says. So while you’re out there cultivating begonias or battling dandelions, you’re also giving your brain a solid workout.
Real Talk: Even Doctors Get Out of Breath
Perhaps the most compelling endorsement comes straight from Dr. Mohamed’s own experience. Slightly out of breath after half an hour in his garden, he admits, “I’ve been gardening for half an hour and I’m exhausted! I didn’t have time to go to the gym, but I can assure you that gardening is even more physical!” His message is crystal clear: it’s by moving more (even outside the gym) that you’ll live a longer, healthier life.
- Gardening mobilizes numerous muscle groups
- It boosts endurance and enhances mobility
- Physical activity outdoors may support brain health and lower dementia risk
So whether your gym is closed or you simply crave variety, don’t underestimate the power of your shears, trowel, or lawn mower. Not only might you end up with the best-looking garden in the neighborhood, but your body (and brain) will thank you for every drop of sweat. As Dr. Mohamed and his slightly breathless Instagram video prove, sometimes the best workout is just a backyard away.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
