A disproportionate share of moving-related injuries occur either in the first hour (when people rush without warming up) or the final hour (when people are exhausted and cutting corners). Understanding moving injury prevention protects your body and keeps your Twin Cities move on track.

Why the First Hour Is Dangerous

In the first hour, energy is high, momentum is building, and people rush without warming up properly.

Cold muscles are injury-prone muscles. Even five minutes of light stretching and movement before starting heavy lifting dramatically reduces injury risk.

The professional approach: assess each job before starting, plan the approach to heavy items, pace the work strategically from the first box.

Why the Final Hour Is Equally Dangerous

By the end of a long moving day, fatigue causes poor form, shortcuts, and lapses in safety protocols.

This is when ‘I’ll just grab this myself’ decisions get made, when lifting technique disappears, when people stop using the dolly for ‘one last’ heavy item.

Professional movers are trained to maintain form and protocols throughout a job — not just when fresh.

Safe Lifting Technique

  • Feet shoulder-width apart for a stable base
  • Bend at the knees, not the waist — squat down to the item
  • Keep your back straight and core engaged throughout the lift
  • Keep the item close to your body — the farther from your center, the more spinal strain
  • Never twist your back while carrying — turn with your whole body, feet included

When Two People Are Required

Any single item over 75 lbs — without exception

Any item where proper grip requires compressing your spine or reaching awkwardly

Any item that requires carrying on stairs without a clear, unobstructed path

When in doubt: use equipment (dolly, straps) or get a second person. No item is worth a herniated disc or torn rotator cuff.

The Equipment Solution

Professional moving equipment exists because heavy items should not be carried by hand when better options exist.

An appliance dolly can move a 400-lb refrigerator with two people safely. Moving straps transfer weight to the legs. Furniture sliders eliminate lifting entirely for horizontal movement.

Cheep Cheep Movers arrives with all of this equipment on every job — it’s standard, not an add-on.

Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.

At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
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