Wheelbarrow Schmeelbarrow

I own a wheelbarrow. I own a cart attachment to the lawn tractor. I use them. But, when I feel vigorous I just use a trug and build some bulk. Many trips to the weed discard or rock piles carrying a full bucket builds strong arm, leg, butt and back muscles. Walking to the piles provides aerobic activity. I call it "trugging."
















Most of us know to lift with your legs and keep your back straight. However, Jane Petrin, NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist, has advice to work specific muscles when trugging. (Jane is my massage therapist. I use the money I save on a gym to get massages.)

"Grab the trug, bend at the knee and squat down with feet straight ahead. Just this action works the gluteus medius & minimus, quadriceps, TFL (tensor fascia latae), psoas major, and adductors." (Translation: butt & legs muscles.)

"Lift the trug with your legs by pushing off with your heels. Keep your shoulders back and square. Pull your arms at a 45° angle (see picture.) Just this motion works the gluteous maximus, erector spinae, transversospinalis, latissimus dorsi, quadratus lumborum, abdominals, rhomboids and trapiezius muscles." (Translation: butt, back, legs and stomach muscles.)

"You can swing the bucket from side to side as you walk, touching your forward-moving leg to really work off your gut. Never carry too much weight, always protect your back and stop if it doesn’t feel good."Always perform any “trugging” at your own risk. Jane provides personal training, corrective exercise and massage here in CT.