We do a lot of work for our clients to promote the health benefits of gardening. Gardening, and getting out in the great outdoors, isn’t just great for your mental wellbeing but it also has many physical benefits. Pushing a lawnmower around is a great way to stay fit (and reportedly burns 400 calories per hour – that’s the equivalent of jogging 4 miles); wedding burns 200 calories per hour (that’s the same as a Kit Kat Chunky!) and then there’s also the weight lifting side of things as you move heavy pots and plants around.
Coventry University has created a “green gym” that encourages gardeners to stay healthy. The “green gym” is a lycra suit fitted with 17 sensors that monitors muscle activity. It shows which muscles are being used well, as well as highlighting areas which are under too much pressure!
The new project was launched at the Chelsea Flower Show in the Discovery Zone area of the Great Pavilion in a series of exhibits that focussed on nutrition, cultivation and locality, among other things. The green gym was part of Coventry University’s “Healthy Gardens, Healthy Gardeners” exhibit. When at the Chelsea Flower Show I stopped by the exhibit and it was a great looking, informative stand.
The University are developing the idea and working with gardeners to put it into practice so I’m sure they’ll be a lot more to come on this in the future. I think it sounds a great idea, particularly for older gardeners who don’t fancy stepping foot in a gym – I’m not sure the lycra suits will catch on though!
paskettpr 