5 Simple Ways to Get Fit at Your Desk While Working

Sitting at a desk for long periods of time can make it challenging to incorporate movement into your day. Our sedentary lifestyle can cause bad posture, joint stress, and weight gain. However, there are ways to get fit without leaving your desk, and we’ve got 5 easy ones listed below.

Even if you have a desk-based job, using a few of these simple tips can help you move, burn calories, tone your muscles, and boost your productivity. They require no special equipment, and you can do them discreetly so you won’t have to worry about your boss thinking that you’re slacking off.

1. Desk Exercise Equipment

You can buy discreet desk exercise equipment these days which will fit snugly under your desk. They are good for the lower half of your body, and you can do exercises like cycling and walking from the comfort of your office chair. Aim to up your step count every day by using these compact machines throughout the day. In addition to the physical benefits, they help you be more creative, productive, and less stressed, making you better at your job. Motors on these machines are typically very quiet so that they do not make a loud, disturbing noise.

2. Desk Yoga

Desk yoga can help stretch your muscles, relieve muscle and joint tension, and ease body stress. You can do it in your chair during short breaks or rest periods. Practising simple yoga stretches like shoulder rolls, neck rolls, seated twist, Cat/Cow stretch, wrist and finger stretch, seated forward bend, and open chest stretch can be done easily from your office chair.

3. Posture

If your workstation has not been ergonomically assessed, there can be consequences for your posture and spinal alignment over time. Ensure that your feet are flat on the floor, your legs, knees, and ankles are uncrossed, you should leave a small gap between your knees and the seat of the chair, and make sure your knees are either at the same height or slightly lower than your hips. Yoga and Pilates can help to build your core strength and improve your posture.

4. Brain Games

A brain workout is as significant as a physical workout. Doing a crossword, a puzzle, or playing a brain game app can help exercise your brain and boost your cognitive function. It’s also essential to give your brain some rest by doing mindful meditation practices during your lunch or coffee breaks to recharge it enough to power you through the afternoon.

5. Use Your Desk

Your desk or chair can also be used for weight-based exercises that require no equipment. For instance, you can do squats using your desk as support, leg raises, or plank ups against your desk or chair. These activities can go a long way in helping you get fit without leaving your desk.

In summary, if you have a desk-based role, there are many easy ways to incorporate movement and exercise into your day without leaving your desk. These tips can help reduce stress, boost creativity, improve productivity and enhance your overall wellness.