http://www.swingworkouts.com/article_muscle_soreness.htm
Fitness Article: First Comes the Snow, Then Comes the Muscle Soreness… Why?
By Karen Goeller, CSCS
So think about it... You exercise at least three times each week, you like what you see in the mirror, and you think you're in pretty good shape. Right? You might look and feel great, but you have not specifically trained for the task of shoveling.
The snow storm hits and you have to shovel the driveway, dig your car out, and then maybe build a snowman. You move the snow quickly in the beginning and you think it will be less dreadful than last winter's snow storm so you keep up the pace. You do not stop to rest so you shovel for hours, you then help the neighbors, and then you play with the kids in the snow. And after that you go on with the rest of your day as if it were like any other. Is shoveling after a blizzard really like any other day? No. And you WILL feel it in the morning!
So you know it was not like any other day because you might only shovel once each winter, if that much. What happens after your day of nonstop activity in the freezing weather? A few hours later the muscle stiffness kicks in and then you realize that maybe you are not as fit as you thought. You are not in "shoveling shape." You feel like you moved mountains (pun intended!) so you are satisfied with your job, but you ache. You probably think you can deal with a LITTLE stiffness or even soreness... until the next day when you wake up and every muscle hurts. You can’t get out of bed because you are so sore. Now what?
Your back, hamstrings, shoulders, arms, and muscles you did not realize that you have are burning. It is intense, more than you expected. So why is it that you are in "good shape" but you are so sore from shoveling? Think about it...
When you exercise at the gym you might perform 2-4 sets of 10-15 repetitions per exercise. Maybe you perform 2-3 exercises per muscle group, but most people only perform 1 set. So how many times on average during your last 10-20 workouts did each muscle group contract? Yes, there is math involved in training.
Read the rest of the article here... http://www.swingworkouts.com/article_muscle_soreness.htm
This fitness article includes a photo of my own backyard after the snow storm...
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By Karen Goeller, CSCS
Karen Goeller, CSCS, has educated thousands of coaches, teachers, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts with her books, articles, and in person. She has been training athletes since 1978 and adults since 1986. Karen Goeller is the author of the Swing Set Fitness books, the Gymnastics Drills and Conditioning books, numerous training programs, and many articles. Karen has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and on television many times. Read her full bio at www.KarenGoeller.com.
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Come see Karen LIVE on the Late Night with Johnny P Show... It will be fun! January 28, 2010 at 7:00 PM at CTV Staten Island Community TV 100 Cable Way Staten Island, NY 10303
Swing Set Fitness is exercise with a playground swing. It is fun, fast, and effective. All major muscle groups can be targeted, the legs, shoulders, chest, back, arms, and the core. Benefits include weight loss, improved muscle tone, and increased strength. It's for adults and kids. There are three Swing Set Fitness books written by the creator of Swing Set Fitness, Karen Goeller, CSCS. The books are available through all major book retailers. Created in 2006.
