| There are many different types of ergonomic garden | | | | choice, and a tool with thick, comfortable padding |
| tools. This article will cover a few of the most | | | | would have reduced much of the energy traveling |
| common ergonomic garden tools available, and will | | | | into my hands and wrists. I remember feeling like I |
| also mention a few things to look for when shopping | | | | had sprained my wrist after about one hour's work. |
| for the tool that's right for you. | | | | This could, and should, have been avoided with the |
| Ergonomic Hand Garden Tools | | | | use of a much better ergonomic tool. |
| In the smaller range of ergonomic hand tools, the | | | | Curved and Telescoping Full Length Handles |
| most common design trait is a curved handle. I've | | | | Two common designs for full length tools are curved |
| seen this design also called a radial handle. Traditional | | | | handles, and handles that are length-adjustable |
| hand gardening tools force you to strain the angle of | | | | through telescoping segments. One common design |
| your wrist downward as you grip and push the tool | | | | looks like an "S" and it is used on snow shovels and |
| into the soil. Ergonomic garden tools have a curved | | | | scoop shovels. The "S" shaped handle allows you to |
| handle that looks like a pistol grip. This allows you to | | | | lift and push more easily, and it significantly reduces |
| keep your wrist straight and in-line with your forearm. | | | | lower back strain. |
| You than can make a much stronger fist and put | | | | Telescoping handles allow you to adjust the length |
| more weight and strength into the tool without | | | | for the type of work you are doing or for the height |
| straining the joints or tendons of your wrist. | | | | of the user. Again, these help in reducing lower back |
| Another innovative design uses a straight handle | | | | strain and can also reduce fatigue in your arm |
| shaft, about 12 inches long, that straps securely to | | | | muscles. |
| your forearm, just below your elbow, and then uses | | | | What to Look For |
| a perpendicular grip handle at the level of your hand | | | | There are three things to look for when purchasing |
| that you can grasp. This is a great design for | | | | an ergonomic garden tool: strength, weight, and |
| individuals that have some level of disability or suffer | | | | quality construction. |
| from arthritis, because you can make use of the | | | | 1. Strength |
| strength of your entire arm, distributing the weight | | | | Both the handle and tool head should be strong. |
| and force throughout, instead of on your wrist and | | | | Some manufacturers use a lightweight steel shaft |
| hand. You will also significantly increase the force of | | | | that is coated. Others will use a professional grade |
| work you can exert on the garden tool. | | | | fiberglass that is both lightweight and strong. |
| Comfortable and Shock-Resistant Padded Handles | | | | Strength and weight are key to good quality |
| and Grips | | | | ergonomic garden tools. |
| Another common feature in both hand-sized tools | | | | 2. Weight |
| and full length tools is padding. Padding allows you to | | | | As just mentioned, weight is an important factor. |
| form a tighter grip, because it is flexible, and it is | | | | There are designs that are both durable and very |
| much more comfortable to use and reduces the | | | | strong, but also light weight. You do not want to |
| chances of blisters. Padded handles also absorb some | | | | work with a heavy tool. Repetitive movements over |
| of the shock or vibrations associated with some of | | | | a period of time will bring more fatigue and increase |
| the movements you make with garden tools, which | | | | chances of injury if you use a heavy tool. |
| helps to prevent pain and damage to your hands, | | | | 3. Quality Construction |
| wrists, and elbows. | | | | Buying an 89 cent, two liter bottle of off-brand soda |
| For instance, I remember using a flat bar to pull up | | | | may be a good idea, but buying inexpensive, |
| tile that had very strong adhesive. This is not a | | | | off-brand ergonomic garden tools is usually not. |
| gardening example, but one that makes a good point. | | | | Cheap metals, flimsy tool attachments, weak handles, |
| I was hammering one end of the flat bar to get | | | | etc., are factors you need to stay away from. Pay |
| under the edges and to separate the adhesive, and | | | | for high quality and life-long warranties, and you will |
| using my other hand to hold the bar in place. Well, | | | | use your tools for years. |
| first, a larger tool would have been the much better | | | | |