To start, you will need something to dig with, such as a shovel or a spade. I find many gardeners don't. A shovel is built like a small scoop. It's designed to move material from one place to another. Most shovels are not built for digging.
Spades are for digging.
The blade is set at a straighter angle than a shovel. You push a spade into the soil with your foot, pull back on the handle like a lever, and turn over the soil. You can use a spade like a shovel, but it's not very efficient. Another variation in tools for digging is the spading fork. It has flat or square tines and is especially good for heavy clay soil.