When “perfect technique” is risky
On moving a bunch of stuff, and feeling good the next day
This week’s blog is brought to you from the Fein Movement mailing list. The emails I send are occasional and wonderful :)
While moving all of my belongings across the state, I drafted this email to you in my head.
Yesterday's workout was to get everything Phi and I own, Iggy (dog), and Rolanda (turtle) into a truck, drive an hour, and then unload it all. (And of course Phi had a Zoom job interview, and the fire alarm went off when we had literally ONE item into the truck...)
"Lift with your legs, not with your back!"
Have you heard this advice? It's a pretty simply idea -- use proper technique, don't get hurt.
My [better...] advice
For a nice round number, let's say you have 1,000 pounds of stuff. Awkward shelves, big boxes without handles, rearranging the same object six different times in the truck...you're gonna end up with several thousand pounds of force, right? Tough workout.
Let's even say you use "perfect technique" every time you pick something up. You bend your legs, keep your back flat, nice proud chest...great. But do you really think it's the best idea to use the same strategy over and over again?
I'm gonna say probably not.
When you try to use the same technique every time, you're asking the same joints, connective tissues, and muscles to do the work. If they can handle that amount of work, that IS totally fine, but do you know they can before trying? Here's a less risky strategy:
Spread the love!
Lift with your legs. Lift with your back. Lift with your arms. Lift with your front. Hold some things down low, some up high. Carry some bags over your right shoulder, some over your left. Readjust boxes down low in a squat and bent over. Walk to the truck forwards, walk to the truck backwards. Use a ramp, use steps. Walk slowly, walk quickly. Brace tight for some objects, relax for others.
Mix it up. You have an awesome team of movers within you -- don't make one or two do all the work!
Maybe a final amendment to the common advice:
"lift with your everything, not just your back"
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