[mjthrowaway1]

I hire electricians regularly. Driving a grounding rod is physically demanding. Moving conduit and hoisting it overhead for long runs is demanding. Carrying tools around, mounting light fixtures…and this is for light commercial work. It’s definitely not easy on the body and why older electricians want to transition in to design and engineering as opposed to field work.

[itsoktocry]

These things are relatively physically demanding if your baseline is sitting at a desk.

But hammering a rod into the ground for 15 minutes, or holding some weight over your head, or carrying weight in your toolbag are not things that break your body down; they build your body up.

[DanielHB]

They do if you do the same type of motion over and over for years on end.

[jf22]

Nothing is more hacker news than somebody downplaying how physically demanding a trade is.

[Drunkfoowl]

I think the key here is the extra income. He doesn’t need to grind as a sparky he can be very selective.

I have seen it in other trades. My family is GC, we have retired biz folks doing cranes, excavators, and some light hand trades.

I personally am considering starting an arborist.