The Northeast is currently being hammered by over two feet of snow, paralyzing travel and daily life for much of the region. Elsewhere, several other states are under winter storm warnings as the season continues wreaking havoc.
If you have to get out there today and shovel, there are some important tips you should keep in mind to stay safe. The National Weather Service (NWS) New York State outpost has compiled an easy to follow list.
5 Tips for Handling Heavy, Wet Snow
According to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, over 200,000 adults were treated in emergency rooms for snow shoveling injuries between 1990 and 2006. In that time, there were over 1,600 deaths attributed to the activity.
The NWS New York tips for handling heavy and wet snow are as follows:
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Dress in layers and cover exposed skin
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Lift small amounts at a time
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If you feel chest pain, dizziness, or exhaustion — stop immediately
According to American Heart Association volunteer Dr. John Osborne in a January 2026 USA Today article, adults 65 and older should be particularly wary about shoveling, particularly those with risk factors such as “diabetes, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.”
Another former AHA volunteer, Dr. Barry Franklin, has previously advised an earlier age cutoff, saying that adults over 45 years of age should refrain from shoveling, if possible.
How to Prep for Snow Shoveling
Men’s Journal’s Joseph Arangio recommends performing this 20-minute workout 2-3 times per week, with one day in between sessions, in order to build up the necessary attributes for shoveling snow.
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
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Brisk walking or easy stair climbing
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Arm circles and shoulder rolls
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Torso rotations and hip hinges
Strength + Endurance Circuit (2–3 rounds):
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Goblet squats (or bodyweight squats) x12
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Push-ups (incline if needed) x10
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Rows (dumbbell, band, or cable) x12
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Farmer carries (hold weights or heavy bags) x30–45 seconds
Rest 30–45 seconds between moves to mimic the stop-and-go nature of shoveling.
Conditioning Finisher (5 minutes):
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30 seconds fast walking, step-ups, or sled pushes
Repeat for 5 rounds.
This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Feb 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.