I love gardening. I’ve heard it called “a practice that nourishes both the soul and the soil”. Unfortunately, I’ve reached an age where I don’t bend and stretch as well as I used to! So lately I’ve been looking at ergonomic gardening tools, and I thought I’d share what I found.
Bending, twisting, and gripping tools can put a strain on anyone’s body, and it gets worse as we get older, or if we have to deal with chronic conditions like arthritis. Thankfully, the world of gardening has fully embraced the concept of ergonomics and offers a wide range of tools designed to make our time outdoors more comfortable and more productive.
A Quick Ergonomics 101
In simple terms, ergonomic tools are designed to minimize stress and strain on your body. They achieve this by focusing on features like:
- Lightweight materials: Reducing the weight of the tool usually decreases the effort needed to use it.
- Padded and contoured handles: These provide a more comfortable grip, reducing pressure on your hands and wrists. I’ve been told this is particularly important in ergonomic tools for arthritis.
- Extended handles: Allows you to work in a more upright position so it minimizes the strain on your back, and your knees.
- Trigger mechanisms: Easy-to-use trigger actions take the pressure off your hands when operating the tool.
- Adjustable features: Enables customization of the gardening tool to suit your specific body size and your individual needs.
Ergonomic Gardening Tools for Seniors
I was wondering how old you had to be to qualify as a senior. Apparently some stores and restaurants give senior discounts for the over 55s – so that would include me then! I don’t really picture myself as a senior but I do seem to have senior’s knees from time to time!
Anyway, joking aside here are a few options that might make working outdoors a little easier:
n I’ve used elasticated knee pads in the past but they can be a nuisance to get in and out of so my first ergonomic garden tool for seniors is an easier-to-use alternative: the Toua Kneeling Pad. It’s made of high-density foam and is 1-1/2” thick so it will protect you from stones. It weighs next to nothing, it’s waterproof, it comes in a bunch of different colors, and you can use it any time you need to kneel, outdoors or inside. The Toua Kneeling Pad is $13.97. A lot of people also like the Gorilla Grip Kneeling Pad but that’s $21.94 .
n The same kind of idea but with a bit more versatility is the Super Deal Garden Seat and Kneeler. It can be a seat or a kneeler, it’s padded, and it also has a useful tool tote with four spacious pockets that can be fitted on either side. The steel frame will support up to 300 pounds, and folds flat for easy carrying or storage. 
The Super Deal Garden Seat and Kneeler is also great value – just $17.99.
n The Radius Garden Root Slayer (don’t you love that name) is designed to tear through the toughest weeds and lift them with ease. Yes, you’ll still have to bend over to pick them up if you want them off the garden, but the hard work is done. It’s made of stainless steel and has an ergonomic O-handle for maximum grip, a tough carbon steel blade, and a fiberglass handle that is strong but keeps weight to a minimum. The Radius Garden Root Slayer is $48.98.
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Sometimes it’s not about kneeling and bending, it’s stretching to get to hard-to-reach shrubs or bushes. The Fiskars 2-in-1 Pruner and Pole Saw is a high-quality solution from a company whose cutting tools are almost legendary. This one can extend from 7 feet 9 inches all the way out to 12 feet. The head rotates through 230 degrees so you can get the perfect angled cut. The pruner is chain-driven so it’s much stronger and more durable than corded models, and the 15-inch saw blade is precision ground for sharpness. The Fiskars 2-in-1 Pruner and Pole Saw is $114.95.
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Wheelbarrows are great, but they can be a bit tippy and hard to manage. With its four-wheeled stability the Amazon Collapsible Folding Wagon is a great alternative. It weighs under 20 pounds but it can carry up to 265 pounds, and there’s plenty of space. The frame is coated steel to prevent rust, and it folds down to a fraction of the size so it’s easy to find space for it in the shed or garage. The Amazon Collapsible Folding Wagon is $69.99.
I hope those suggestions prove helpful but maybe you have a favorite ergonomic gardening tool for seniors that I didn’t mention? If you do, please drop me a line here and I’ll add it to the article.
Ergonomic Gardening Tools for Arthritis
I’m fortunate that I don’t suffer from this painful disease but I know a couple of gardeners that do. They tell me that gripping and twisting can be major challenges but hopefully some of these ergonomic gardening tools will help.
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Every gardener needs a decent pair of gloves. On top of being really well made, of high-quality leather, these Bionic ReliefGrip Gardening Gloves have some positive benefits aimed at arthritis sufferers. The company tells us they were designed by an orthopedic hand surgeon. They have a patented pad relief system to improve grip, as do the silicon-coated fingertips. Lycra zones give a great fit, and Terrycloth lining keeps hands cool and helps prevent chaffing. An elasticated wristband provides extra support for the thumb and wrist. Bionic ReliefGrip Gardening Gloves for Men are $32.95, The Bionic ReliefGrip Gradening Gloves for Women are $34.95 (don’t ask me why).
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The Bernini Ergonomic Gardening Tools Set takes a different approach to design. Instead of the usual inline handles, these are upright. This unique grip provides comfort and leverage for digging, planting, weeding, etc. They also help reduce fatigue which is something we all appreciate. The business end of each tool is made from durable 304-grade stainless steel which is rust-resistant. A set of 3 Bernini Ergonomic Gardening Tools is $34.99.
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The Meperez Garden Clippers feature on a number of sites I checked for garden tools for arthritis so they’re obviously very popular. Ease-of-grip is a big feature allowing the right amount of pressure to be applied with minimal effort. That also helps with precision so you cut where you mean to. According to the manufacturer they’re also suitable for those with carpal tunnel syndrome. Meperez Garden Clippers are $21.99.
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If you think you might struggle with the handle on the Amazon Folding Wagon above, how about the Best Choice 2-Wheeled Barrow? It’s made from sturdy plastic that is easy to clean and has an impressive 330-pound capacity. Fat tires roll well over just about any surface. It can be pushed or pulled, and importantly it has a nice comfortable grip. The Best Choice 2-Wheeled Barrow comes in a choice of 11 colors and is $99.99.
As I said with tools for seniors, if you have a favorite ergonomic gardening tool for arthritis that I didn’t mention please drop me a line here and I’ll slot it in.
Prices correct at the time of publishing. Main Photo by Avelino Calvar Martinez. Hands photo by Samantha Hurley.
