1. Use a stand up desk
Stand up desk, standing desk, adjustable desk - they come with many names but they all do the same thing. Work at your desk while standing and you’ll find an improvement in your posture and circulation, which will overall alleviate the effects of sitting. It may take a while to build up to a full day of standing, but even half a day will do you good. Just make sure you have an adjustable desk so it can be altered to a regular desk height when you tire.
2. Sit on an exercise ball
Using an exercise ball as your chair will engage your core (your abs and back muscles), which will assist in maintaining good posture - welcome to ‘active sitting’!
3. Set a timer
Get hold of a subtle app or Google Chrome plugin, such as Break Timer, to ensure that you are reminded to get active throughout your day. When the timer goes off, go for a walk around the office or stretch to workout those back muscles.
4. Try out a treadmill desk
If you can persuade your boss to get this, then they sure knows how to keep workers fit! If you think standing while working would be a great way to be active, try walking throughout your day as you type on your laptop. We’re definitely keen to give this a go!
5. Leg lifts under the desk with ankle weights
We’re all about subtle and easy ways to get moving in the office - this sneaky one will keep your legs toned without leaving your desk (if your boss has their beady eye on you). Strap on leg weights and every hour, do a few reps of leg raises under your desk. And if you don’t care who sees you with them on, why not go for a strut around the office to show ‘em off.
6. Mini exercise bike
A fantastic way to literally get exercise at your desk is to get a mini exercise bike that fits under your desk. Keep pedaling and work those legs - your circulation and calves will thank you!
7. Surfboard desks
OK, this is only for the really cool workers… who have freakish balance. Fluidstance has brought out small platforms that requires you to mimic the balance of a surfer at your stand up desk. It engages your core and increases your heart rate by 15%. Surf’s up!
8. Walking meetings
Like our sensei (ahem, we mean founder) practices, try doing tasks that allow you to be active. Forget about meetings in stuffy boardrooms, and take it outside! Whether it’s taking a call whilst walking around the block, having a gym session while talking shop or taking a meeting on to the road, it all helps in keeping your body moving. Not to mention you’ll be clocking up those important daily steps!
9. Subtle stretches at your desk
No one will blink an eye at you doing some casual stretches a few times a day at your desk. Staying active whilst at work can come in the form of simple exercises, like shoulder raises, neck stretches, leg raises.
10. Workout at lunchtime at your nearest fitness venue
If you want more out of your lunchtimes, then hit up your nearest fitness venue and do a class or a quick gym session. Even if you can only fit in 30 - 40 mins, you will feel the difference in your productivity and happiness levels. A lunchtime workout will reenergize you for the afternoon and get that blood pumping.
A study presented to the American College of Sports Medicine has found that those who workout for 30-60 minutes at lunch had an average performance boost of 15%. 60% of employees claimed that time management, mental performance and ability to meet deadlines improved on the days they exercised. It also helped them avoid post-lunch energy slumps! Even if you don't want to get too sweaty (there’s not always time for a shower), a low-impact stretching class - like yoga - gives your body time to move and realign.
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