Deskercise!

Deskercise!

by Posted on: May 18, 2012Categories: LiveWell 24/7   
These days, it seems we’re more likely to log hour after idle hour sitting down. And while you may be a spreadsheet champ by day and gym rat by night, recent research suggests that the recommended 30 minutes of cardio five times per week may not undo the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle. So what’s a worker chained to his or her desk to do? Luckily, short bouts of aerobics, strength exercises, and stretching in between conference calls can help! While these desk exercises for the cubicle-bound, won’t promise better mile times or the ultimate six-pack abs, they might just improve strength and burn a few extra calories to boot. We’ve got a few sneaky exercises for a healthier workday!

The Wall (Street) Sit: Wall sits are great for building strength and endurance. Standing with your back against the wall, bend the knees and slide your back down the wall until the thighs are parallel to the floor. Sit and Hold for 30-60 seconds while browsing a magazine. For some extra burn, try crossing the right ankle over the left knee, hold for 15 seconds, then switch!

The Patient Printer: The boss just requested that a 200-page presentation be printed “perfectly.” Why lackadaisically stand by the printing pages when you could be sculpting your calves with calf raises? Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, press up onto the tippy toes, pause at the top, then lower back down. Repeat for three sets of 12-15 reps, or until the printing, faxing, or scanning is done. Ready to level up? Try raising only one leg at a time.

The Silent Squeeze: Believe it or not, some deskercises can be kept under wraps, and this isometric glutes exercise is one of them. To start toning, simply squeeze the buttocks,  hold for 5-10 seconds, and release. Repeat until the agenda wraps up or the glutes tire. The results will be uplifting in more ways than one!

The Cubicle Dip: Tricep dips can be done almost anywhere, including a cubicle. Using a sturdy desk or a non-rolling chair, sit at the very edge and place hands on either side of the body while gripping the chair’s edge. With the feet planted on the floor a step or two away from the desk or chair, straighten up the arms to lift up the body. Next, bend the arms to reach a 90-degree angle so that your body dips down, hold, and re-straighten while keeping the body raised above the chair. Complete 8-10 reps.

So what are you waiting for, get on it!

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