Don't be a macho man. I have little respect for the guy who will throw 400' 1/2 EMT on his shoulder. My limit is 200' unless I'm still warming up, then 100.
I would recommend from personal experience to excercise. Don't consider physical labor as exercise. A good workout invloves high heart rate and intake of fluids, there is a physical change that occurs when you saturate a working muscle with oxygen saturated blood. Stretches and form. Light weight high rep, again no need to be macho.
I recommend a spa type gym verses the muscle head type, but that works better for what motivates me.
Again, all this from personal experience. When I consistantly got to the gym (over due, will be getting back soon) my chiropractor visits were greatly reduced, my knees, back and shoulder never felt better. Plus I found those sore (good sore, workout sore) muscles helped keep good form when doing heavy work, reducing the risk of injury.
