Not all of us have lawns to mow, but everyone can benefit from the lawn mower exercise. This simple move involves pulling a weight or resistance band diagonally across your body to strengthen your shoulders and back. These muscles are crucial for everyday tasks and can easily get injured, so it’s important to build strength in them. The best part about this exercise is that it requires minimal space and equipment, making it accessible to all fitness levels.
We spoke to functional fitness expert Noelle McKenzie, CPT, about the proper way to do the lawn mower exercise and its benefits. The exercise is designed to target your back and shoulder muscles, and can be done with either a resistance band or dumbbell. By mimicking the motion of starting a lawn mower, this exercise helps improve strength for lifting heavy objects in your daily life, as well as posture and back pain caused by muscle weaknesses.
To perform the lawn mower exercise correctly, stand with your feet together, holding a dumbbell in one hand with your palm facing inwards. Step back with the opposite foot, lean your torso forward at a 45-degree angle, and pull the weight towards your hip in a diagonal motion. Make sure to keep your back flat and core engaged throughout the exercise.
The benefits of the lawn mower exercise go beyond building muscle. It also trains rotational movements, improves stability, muscle imbalances, and posture. By incorporating different variations of the exercise, such as banded rows or seated rows, you can tailor it to your fitness level and goals. Remember to maintain proper form and check your equipment to prevent injury.
Overall, the lawn mower exercise is a versatile and effective way to strengthen your upper body, improve your functional fitness, and prevent injuries in everyday life. Give it a try and see the difference it can make in your workout routine.
