Workout Before You Move Out

Original post from November of 2014 on www.totallyfit4life.net

My family and I have moved so much that I could probably write a book about it. However, I have noticed an interesting yet disturbing trend over the years. Many people nowadays are so physically out of shape that they cannot handle moving an entire household if they move themselves. Injuries happen to knees, backs, and biceps quite often. Sometimes it is just a minor strain, but it can be more severe at other times. I have the dings and dents in some of my furniture that tell the tales of moving woes. Broken items are in landfills somewhere. Damaged belongings, injured bodies, and frayed nerves need not happen for your next move.

I recommend hitting the gym or hiring a personal trainer to set up a workout program to begin 4-6 weeks before you load up the truck and head out. It is still way cheaper than hiring professional movers, too. You could even turn the workouts into a group session by inviting your “Friends & Family Moving Company” to join you. You will need strength and endurance work that is functional for what you will be doing. You will also learn proper lifting techniques in your workouts. Here are a few that can help:

1. Squats while picking up a weighted object pressing it out, then pulling back into position

2. Lunges while lifting and turning with the torso.

3. Kettlebell Goblet squats with bicep curls

4. Weighted Woodchoppers

5. Cable rows

6. Lat Pulldowns

7. Overhead press

8. Team lift & carry with large tire

10. Stair runs

9. Box jumps & high step-ups

Several other exercises would be helpful as well. If you notice, there is a lot of hip and leg work. That is what should power most of your box and furniture lifts. These need to be done by time rather than reps, three times a week. Warm-up 5 minutes before, cool-down 5 minutes after, and STRETCH! Guess what? You should warm up, cool down and stretch on move day. Your friends and family who help will thank you the next day. So what are you waiting for? Come on, bust a move! Let’s go!

God bless you!