Working in the garden is the ultimate relaxation for those of us with green thumbs. After a long day in the office, the task of weeding, mowing the lawn or cutting the hedge is a sure-fire way to clear the mind and find a healthy balance between work and personal life. Gardening is a great way to unwind. But beware: poor posture and repetitive straining as a result of unsuitable gardening tools can quickly lead to back problems, muscle tension and pain. The problem lies in the traditional design of gardening tools such as the lawnmower, shovel and rake that often force the user into unfavourable working positions.
Aktion Gesunder Rücken (AGR) has been committed to preventing back pain for over 15 years, including the gardening sector, with many tools having been awarded the "Checked and Recommended" AGR seal of approval. This unique quality feature is only displayed on products that reduce or prevent back strain, having met the strict testing criteria of the expert committee comprising ergonomics experts and medical professionals.
Back-friendly lawn mowing
Summer gardening is for many green-thumbed enthusiasts a weekly affair. This work, however, tends to put a considerable strain on the wrists and shoulders, and the stooped position it often demands does the back no favours at all.. This is all set to change with the first back-friendly lawn mower to be awarded the AGR seal of approval. The "ergonomic lawn mower" is a world first, a product which successfully meets the following requirements:
- Suitable for use by people of various heights without causing fatigue or poor posture
- Physiologically and anatomically designed
- Easy manoeuvrability
- Simple operating elements
- Lightweight to carry
- Easy to stow away
The Rotak cordless and corded lawn mowers from Bosch facilitate both ergonomic posture and handling, making the job of mowing easier even on sloped surfaces. Thanks to its adjustable handles, the mower can be adapted to match the height of the user, thus preventing fatigue and maintaining good posture. When steering the machine, the ergonomic design and position of the handles prevent a bending of the wrists. The straight-forward switch operation and various gripping positions maximize productivity without putting a strain on the body. Furthermore, the low, evenly distributed weight of the mower (between 13 kg and 15 kg for cut widths from 34 cm to 43 cm, including battery) make it easy to manoeuvre and stow away. It is also a machine that is very quiet and environmentally friendly.
Back strain can also be avoided when using shovels and spades with a the curved grip. Here, the following criteria must be taken into consideration:
- The grip must be designed in such a way that the load is significantly easier to move than with other tools. The ratio between load and lever should improve in favour of the lever.
- It must be possible to adjust the height of the grip and still maintain ergonomic design.
- The design of the grip must also allow for an improved handling of the tool while relieving any strain on the shoulders, hands, upper body, knees, feet and joints.
- Of particular importance is the stability and overall quality of the garden tool. The safety of the user must be guaranteed in this respect.
The products from the garden tool manufacturer Ergobase meet these requirements. These tools relieve any pressure on the back during gardening work and prevent unnecessary strain. Both the Ergobase shovel and the "Gartenboy", a multi-functional tool for digging and raking, now carry the AGR seal of approval. The "Gartenboy" works as an extension of the hand, suitable for both weeding and loosening soil using light circular movements. The long-stemmed design prevents the user from bending down too often and relieves any stress on the spine or joints. The S-shaped handle of the shovel is perfect for any motion sequences and thus promotes back-friendly activity. The S-design also reduces the number of striking and plunging movements needed.
Tip: In the winter, the AGR-certified shovel from Ergobase is perfect for clearing the snow.
Aktion Gesunder Rücken (AGR) has been committed to preventing back pain for over 15 years, including the gardening sector, with many tools having been awarded the "Checked and Recommended" AGR seal of approval. This unique quality feature is only displayed on products that reduce or prevent back strain, having met the strict testing criteria of the expert committee comprising ergonomics experts and medical professionals.
Back-friendly lawn mowing
Summer gardening is for many green-thumbed enthusiasts a weekly affair. This work, however, tends to put a considerable strain on the wrists and shoulders, and the stooped position it often demands does the back no favours at all.. This is all set to change with the first back-friendly lawn mower to be awarded the AGR seal of approval. The "ergonomic lawn mower" is a world first, a product which successfully meets the following requirements:
- Suitable for use by people of various heights without causing fatigue or poor posture
- Physiologically and anatomically designed
- Easy manoeuvrability
- Simple operating elements
- Lightweight to carry
- Easy to stow away
The Rotak cordless and corded lawn mowers from Bosch facilitate both ergonomic posture and handling, making the job of mowing easier even on sloped surfaces. Thanks to its adjustable handles, the mower can be adapted to match the height of the user, thus preventing fatigue and maintaining good posture. When steering the machine, the ergonomic design and position of the handles prevent a bending of the wrists. The straight-forward switch operation and various gripping positions maximize productivity without putting a strain on the body. Furthermore, the low, evenly distributed weight of the mower (between 13 kg and 15 kg for cut widths from 34 cm to 43 cm, including battery) make it easy to manoeuvre and stow away. It is also a machine that is very quiet and environmentally friendly.
Back strain can also be avoided when using shovels and spades with a the curved grip. Here, the following criteria must be taken into consideration:
- The grip must be designed in such a way that the load is significantly easier to move than with other tools. The ratio between load and lever should improve in favour of the lever.
- It must be possible to adjust the height of the grip and still maintain ergonomic design.
- The design of the grip must also allow for an improved handling of the tool while relieving any strain on the shoulders, hands, upper body, knees, feet and joints.
- Of particular importance is the stability and overall quality of the garden tool. The safety of the user must be guaranteed in this respect.
The products from the garden tool manufacturer Ergobase meet these requirements. These tools relieve any pressure on the back during gardening work and prevent unnecessary strain. Both the Ergobase shovel and the "Gartenboy", a multi-functional tool for digging and raking, now carry the AGR seal of approval. The "Gartenboy" works as an extension of the hand, suitable for both weeding and loosening soil using light circular movements. The long-stemmed design prevents the user from bending down too often and relieves any stress on the spine or joints. The S-shaped handle of the shovel is perfect for any motion sequences and thus promotes back-friendly activity. The S-design also reduces the number of striking and plunging movements needed.
Tip: In the winter, the AGR-certified shovel from Ergobase is perfect for clearing the snow.
