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I enjoy being outside, where the birds are singing.

Im taking care of the plants, and my mind can wander.

And when Im sore the next day, I can tellIve gotten some exercise.

woman sweating in the gym

Arecent studyof U.S. adults 65 and older found that gardeners had better cardiovascular health than people who didnt garden.

Its also a supercommon activity among the longest-living peopleon earthinto their 90s and 100s.

But how much of a workout am I really getting out of gardening?

Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

How hard is gardening, really?

So they may qualify as strength exercises but not really as cardio.

I also purposely walked briskly from one task to another.

Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

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Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

And focusing on form during yard work can yield more strength benefits.

Think: How can I make this a total-body workout?

That may be mixing in some push-ups, planks, or walking lunges, she says.

Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

In the gym, people typically exercise both sides of the body evenly.

But in your yard, you may use your dominant side for most tasks.

Its probably going to feel weird, Valentine admits.

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.

It did feel a little unnatural, but not difficult.

And later, I didnt feel the lopsided soreness I normally would.

She suggests chest-opening and forearm stretches.

Toe touches and rolling out your shoulders can also help, Mandal adds.

When youre all done, massaging your forearms can reduce tension and loosen them up, Valentine says.

That felt like an accomplishment, too.

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