Get Up Off Your Chair! At Your Desk Fitness Tips

One of the drawbacks of our evolution from hunter-gatherers to a civilized society is that our work tools morphed from the use of spears to computers, causing our waists and backsides to expand from the lack of energy we’ve had to expend on our survival. Your desk doesn’t have to cause the demise of your diet -- I'm going to show you how to get fit while at your desk day or night!

How many hours do you spend each day at your desk? Chances are, it’s anywhere from eight to twelve hours, depending on how much of a workaholic you tend to be. The first thing you’ll want to do is provide your body with the support it needs to maintain good health – that means a good chair for posture.

Some people even do away with their chair completely and invest in a balance ball to sit on instead. In fact, while you’re shopping, look for

chairs that have a balance ball in them– this helps your spine get the relief it needs form your long work hours.

You can’t sit all day, but you’d be surprised at how many people do just that! Those who bring their lunch never stand up except to make a quick trip to the bathroom. You need to break this habit.

Every half hour, stand up and stretch, If possible, stop emailing your co-workers when you need to ask a question and walk around the office to pop your head into their offices instead. If you don’t need to go anywhere, stand in place and march a few steps while you’re working.

One of the worst problems for office workers chained to a desk is that their wrists get sore from typing or use of the mouse on the computer. Make sure you stretch and roll your wrists throughout the day so that they get relief. Remember, fidgeting burns calories, so every little bit helps!

If you’re waiting for your computer to boot up or a download is taking longer than you expected, get out of your seat and walk around. If you have a private office, you can take this time to do some sit ups, crunches or push ups.

During business calls, walk around the office if you have the ability to. You don’t need to be stationary for most calls and this is one more way for you to implement a bit of exercise during your workday.

Of course, “at your desk fitness” isn’t enough to take the place of your regular exercise routine. To get enough cardiovascular exercise, you’ll still want to get out and get moving for at least 30 minutes a day. What it will do for you is help you maintain your energy and keep you feeling good while you’re stuck inside at work all day, so make the most of every minute the next time you check in for the 9-5 grind.