Working as a Package Handler... (Fitness Related)

The Flash · 27-Mar-07, 11:38 AM

I will soon be starting as a Package Handler for Fed Ex. The job is very hard and very tough. You are basically working nonstop lifting, throwing and tossing boxes for 3.5-5 hours straight. I'll be working nights (5:30 to 10:30) from Monday to Friday. My first question is has anyone ever done this type of work? How many calories could I possibly burn during one shift? I googled package handler+workout and found a post on the CrossFitness forum that one guy stated he thought he was burning 1500 calories per shift. Just wanted to get your opinion, thanks everyone!!!

**.V.** · 27-Mar-07, 02:46 PM

No idea. But congrats on a cool job. Not much fun but the fitness benefits of physical labor are great.

My best shape ever came when I was a kid helping my dad on rock laying jobs. I mixed the mud and carried it and carried all the rocks. Got in good shape really quickly.

The Flash · 28-Mar-07, 08:54 AM

Thanks for the reply.

Here's a link to the thread that I talked about from the Crossfit discussion board. The guy in the thread stated working there replaced his WOD. Any more thoughts on my original question, etc. would be appreciated, thanks!

Crossfit.com discussion board: FedEx Handler Job

Mr VW · 01-Apr-07, 05:06 PM

I worked as a package handler for UPS in the past and it's not as bad as they first make it seem. We were told our shifts would be about 5 hours in the beginning but in reality they were only about 2 hours, 3 if we were really busy. Are you going to be loading? Unloading? Sorting? The calorie expenditure would really determine where you are being placed. Unloading would probably burn more calories than the other 2.

The Flash · 02-Apr-07, 06:13 PM

Thanks for the reply Mr. VW. I'm not sure which position I'm headed for yet. I just wanted to get an oddball figure as to how many calories I'd be burning per shift and to see if it's as much as a workout as the guy on the CrossFit board was making it out to be.