Winter is upon us and for many parts of the country that means lots of snow. Unless you live in an apartment building or have a landlord, then you’re likely responsible for getting the snow off the ground. It might seem like a no-brainer to get a shovel and get to work – however, shoveling can be quite stressful on the body, especially for the heart and spine and for those with underlying conditions and without the right equipment.
″Shoveling snow places sudden, intense strain on the heart and body,” said Dr. Rohit Vuppuluri, a double-board certified interventional cardiologist. ”Shoveling combines cold exposure with heavy exertion which causes blood vessels to constrict, heart rate and blood pressure to rise quickly and the heart to demand more oxygen. This rapid shift can overwhelm the cardiovascular system resulting in increased risk of heart attack.”
A large Canadian study found that after heavy snowfalls, men were about 16 percent more likely to be hospitalized with a heart attack and 34 percent more likely to die from one compared with days without snowfall.
Additionally, Dr. Jack Wolfson, an Arizona-based cardiologist and founder of Natural Heart Doctor, said that beyond cardiac stress, shoveling commonly leads to lower-back injuries, shoulder strains and muscle tears, especially in people who are inactive most of the year.
When it comes to shoveling, Dr. David H. Hsi, chief of cardiology and co-director of the heart and vascular institute at Stamford Health says snow removal should focus on minimizing exertion and eliminating the lift-and-throw motion. “We generally recommend pushing snow instead of lifting it,” he explained.
Ahead, we’ve gathered some of the best snow blowers, snow pushers and electric snow shovels that can help keep you safe this winter while removing snow in a quick and efficient manner.
A lightweight electric shovel with wheels for easy maneuvering
Electric snow shovels operate like mini-snow blowers and are ideal because they eliminate the need to lift and toss snow manually. They are typically much lighter than traditional snow blowers, often weighing under 15 pounds helping to reduce strain.
The Earthwise SN74016 40-volt cordless electric snow shovel is a top pick as it can move up to 300 pounds of snow per minute. This electric snow shovel is equipped with a 40v brushless motor and an included battery and charger. In terms of size, it’s 16-inches wide and 8 inches deep and can throw snow up to 30 feet away making it even easier to get the job done whether outside of your home or around your car.
We love how it has an adjustable handle to make it easier to grip, a push button start and it has a safety switch that can be flipped on and off in seconds in case you need to power it down quickly.
Amazon shoppers even praise this snowblower for its design and construction leaving it with a 4.2 star rating. “The unit in general is light and easy to maneuver,” said one five-star shopper. “Another plus are the wheels as some other brands don’t have wheels to move about.”
Amazon
A 400-watt snow hurler that’s “kind of fun to operate,” according to reviewers
A snow blower like this one from Snow Joe is a suitable option for those who don’t want to strain their bodies too much during the winter time. It essentially does the work for you with its two blade paddle and powerful 400-watt motor that can toss snow up to 20 feet away and move up to 74 pounds of snow per minute, according to the brand. The electric shovel is lightweight at just shy of 12 pounds so in the event that you had to lift it, you likely wouldn’t feel too much strain or discomfort.
An added benefit is that it’s cordless so you can go out into the snow without worry of it getting tangled during the process. It can last up to two hours and 20 minutes on a full charge too so you’ll likely be able to use it multiple times without having to recharge.
This electric snow blower has over 440 five-star reviews from shoppers who call it “a great piece of equipment.” One reviewer says, “The unit is powerful and hurls the snow a good twenty feet with no problem. Once you get used to directing the discharge, the son-of-a-gun is kind of fun to operate.”
Amazon
An ingenious snow “pusher” with pneumatic wheels for leverage
If you’re looking for a non-electric option that’s still going to take some strain out of snow removal, you might want to think about a snow pusher. “Snow pushers allow you to push snow rather than lift it,” says Dr. Wolfson. “Less lifting means less strain on the heart, shoulders, and lower back.”
The Best Choice Products two-wheel snow pusher has a 36-inch wide galvanized steel blade that can easily clear away large sections of snow. The wheels add more leverage and movement to the process for better angling without putting unwanted pressure on the body in the process. Similar to the electric snow blower, it has adjustable handles that can be raised and lowered to a desired level for optimal comfort.
This snow pusher is a top overall pick on Amazon and has a 4.4 star rating and over 175 five-star reviews from shoppers who use it during the cold winter months.
One shopper says it works “like a pro” and recommends it to women and older people as it’s easy to use and maneuver. Another five-star shopper said: “What usually takes [my husband] 40 mins to shovel he did in 20 minutes with this. It is so much better on his back and so easy to use.”
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Amazon’s best-selling snow brush and ice scraper combo
If you’re looking to get the snow off your car windshield and windows, your best bet might be the AstroAI 27-inch snow brush and ice scraper – it’s an Amazon best-seller in the category and is dual-sided for added convenience. You’ll notice the bristles appear frayed at the top and that’s not a manufacturing issue but an intentional choice to make them softer so they don’t scratch the windows or the car in the process.
It requires very little effort to get the snow off as the bristles do a majority of the work. The dual-sided device can separate into two so one person can clear the snow and other tackle the ice to make the process even quicker. As for the handle, it has a foam grip to keep your hand in place as you make your way around your vehicle so it’s not as prone to slip or drop along the way.
This best-selling snow brush has over 2,000 five-star reviews from shoppers who call it “dependable.” One shopper said that “[i]t feels sturdy, has a nice, cushioned grip, and the brush is sturdy without being ‘scratchy’ on the windshield.”
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A “back-friendly” basic snow shovel with an ergonomic design
In some cases, you might have to use a standard shovel whether it’s because you don’t have room for a large snow blower at home or simply don’t to spend $150+ on a device you won’t use often.
If you opt for a standard shovel, Dr. Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution says, try to choose one that allows you to push the snow out of the way. “Lifting the heavy shovel above your head poses a significant risk,” he told HuffPost.
Instead of lifting the snow out of the way, this shovel has a aluminum grip that helps encourage a push motion for less strain. Additionally, there’s a curved handle to help you get a better grip on the shovel and more leverage should you need to lift a little bit during the process.
Shoppers say this shovel is suitable for those smaller driveways and patios where a larger snow blower seems a bit much. One reviewer who called this shovel “back-friendly” said, “I was looking for a snow shovel that wouldn’t leave my back hurting after clearing the driveway — and this one is perfect. The ergonomic handle design makes it super comfortable to use, even for longer sessions.”
Another shopper said: “This shovel is sturdy, easy to use, and really gentle on the back. The ergonomic handle makes a big difference, and it clears snow quickly thanks to the wide blade.”
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