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| Add More Green to Your Exercise Routine |
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| We all know the benefits of exercising regularly, but here are some ways you can get a great workout while you green up your life.
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Use the original green machine.
In the past, we've talked about the benefits of gardening and light yard work. But if you really want to build some lean muscle, get a great cardio workout and be green at the same time, consider buying a new version of an old-fashioned favorite — a push mower. A push mower is exactly what you think it is — a push-powered lawn mower. It uses no gas or electricity. As you push it, the blades quickly start spinning to cut grass down to size. Once you get a little momentum, the blades spin faster and faster, making it easier to stay moving.
The proper technique for a push mower is to go forward and then back a little, similar to a rowing machine. And just like rowing, this is one of those rare exercises that functions as both a cardio routine and a muscle-building workout. Even better, you can expect to burn between 500 and 1,000 calories every time you mow the lawn (depending on the size of your lawn, of course). You can find new push mowers at most larger home superstores. Be careful. Even push mowers have sharp blades and also can strain your muscles. If you have any type of heart condition, consult your doctor first. In addition, if you have any serious hills, be aware that push mowing could be extra tough.
Add more plants to your workout room.
If you prefer to exercise indoors (and with the summer heat, who could blame you!), studies have shown that putting plants in your workout room is very beneficial. When you exercise, your lungs open up and you breathe in more air than normal. By adding plants, you naturally clean the air around you. This is especially useful if you work out in the basement, where dust and chemical pollutants thrive. Additionally, plants have a psychologically calming influence that has been shown to reduce blood pressure. Almost any type of greenery will work, but English ivy, rubber plants and spider plants have been shown to work best at "scrubbing" the air. If you have pollen allergies, consider low-pollen plants such as begonias, crotons, passionflowers, Swedish ivy or peperomias.
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