© Kevin Summers - Getty ImagesNew research shows that garden tasks can burn as many calories as a workout, we find out which.
It seems that the nation are likely doing one of the following three things at any one time during lockdown: baking banana bread, working out with Joe Wicks or doing some gardening (indoor or outdoor). But what if you could combine your workout with your new, green-fingered hobby to boost the calories as well as the endorphins?
Well, it turns out that you can, as digging, weeding and mowing not only achieve beautiful borders and an enviable lawn, but can also burn just as many calories as a workout.
Three hours' gardening burns as many calories as an hour-long heavy gym session - around 600 to 700 calories - according to Clyde Williams, professor of sports science at Loughborough University.
So which activities are best for burning off that banana bread? Well, the gardening activity that shifts the most calories is shovelling. You can burn around 570 calories when shovelling garden waste into a wheelbarrow or garden waste bin, or even decanting dirt to create a new flower bed.
However, Physiotherapist Ford Ashworth of the Ford Ashworth Clinic advises: 'Do not overload the shovel, and try to work on alternative sides to prevent lower back pain.'
Coming in a close second is the act of 'carrying': whether that be wheelbarrows full of weeds, heavy garden tools or just dragging the hose from one side of the garden to the other.
On average, you can burn up to 490 calories an hour by carrying heavy loads in the garden, plus you're strengthening and toning your arms and shoulders in the process.
Ashworth explains: 'Standing upright will protect your lumbar spine and gluteal muscles, do not overfill and make sure the load is even so the muscles of the back are working evenly, otherwise you could cause muscle spasm.'
We think that sounds a lot better than squat jumps, don't you?
Gallery: Gorgeous flowering plants that will attract bees (Country Living)