Yes, the headline is correct.  You need to be in good shape to survive fall cleanup. That’s because lifting pumpkins, raking leaves, and other autumnal activities can be tough on your body, especially your lower back. Now’s the time to stretch and strengthen those muscles.

The Philadelphia Inquirer offers these top tips for staying seasonally safe, with instructions from personal trainer and wellness coach Ashley B. Greenblatt. Tips for staying injury free while gardening and cleaning gutters are offered by New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery. If you’re not the exercise type, there are still things you can do to avoid injury while working outside. Virtual Health offers these ideas for how to rake leaves using the right rake size and technique. Read all about it, then get ready to get fit for your back-yard cleanup frenzy!

Tags: fitness, healthy living, staying in shape, virtual health