Get Fit At Your Desk

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It seems like everyone is spending more time at work, little time at home and even less time exercising. And the all too familiar “no-time-to-exercise” excuse has become all too common.

But the truth is that no matter what your profession or how many minutes – or even hours – you spend commuting, there are simple things you can do to get fit even at work. And despite any strange looks you may get from your colleagues, exercising at your desk can help reduce stress, boost your energy, and increase your concentration and productivity.

You can do stretching, muscle strengthening and even short aerobic routines right at your desk. After all, the U.S. Surgeon General says that even a small amount of exercise can be beneficial to your health. Don’t give up your regular workout routine. Just add desk exercises to burn more calories, tone up or take a break from the daily grind.

 

Here are some quick tips to getting fit at your desk:

Lower Body: Sit toward the back of your chair. Lift one leg, extending your foot straight out and hold for two seconds. Lower your foot about three inches from the floor and bring it back up again. Repeat 15 times on each leg.

Upper Body: Sit on the edge of a sturdy chair with your knees bent and arms straight. Grip the edge of the chair seat with your hands. Slip your hips off the chair and bend your elbows to a 90-degree angle as you lower your hips nearly to the floor. Slowly come back up. Do as many repetitions as you can.

Cardio: Get your heartbeat up by walking briskly down a hallway, jogging in place at your desk or down a flight of stairs.

Stretch: Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Raise one arm. Bend your body to the side reaching over your head until your arm is parallel to the floor (or as far as you can). Hold for five to 10 seconds. Repeat this with your other arm.

Reprinted with permission of The WW Group, Inc. A franchise of WW International, Inc. For more information about The WW Group, click here.