Quote:
Originally Posted by AcGold
Its how you lift that matters. I've shoveled more snow than I care to recollect. When you lift the pile off the driveway to the lawn use a twisting motion with the abs and hips. Use the arms minimally
to start make a swath down the middle. Then start at the garage pushing half the snow to one side at first then half to the other. Move parallel to the swath. Maximum time shoveling minimum time walking. If there is a lot of snow start by walking close to the banks chucking some up before the initial swath. Trying to push a lot of snow while walking is a waste of time. The swath down the middle and pushing half each way makes it way easier. Fancy shovels are not really needed unless its a big bucket scoop for slush/huge snowfalls.
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I agree, technique means a lot and can save a lot of energy.
For instance, if it's just light powder snow, I'll stand at the middle of the drive way and like a poke check, using one arm, just slide the shovel towards the sides while never really stepping a step away from the centre of the drive way. Also making sure to do it in a way where you don't have to go over areas you've shoveled before multiple times to clear the snow.
However, if it's wet snow, I'll walk to the side and use my leg to lift the shovel and toss the snow onto the lawn (rather than lifting purely with upper body). It's almost like kicking the shovel with my thigh.
I use a traditional plastic pusher with a metal bottom and a steel square mouth garden shovel for compact (driven on or walked on) snow. I really hate aluminum pushers or the pure plastic pushers as they grate against the cement and often don't really push well as a result vs the plastic with metal bottom which skims along nicely and are durable.