Desk Jockies: Get Some Activity At the Office

According to a WiiFit commercial I just saw 3 seconds ago (this is how I do research) the average American sits 8 hours day.  If you work a desk job, the number is probably even higher for you.  The office, whether it’s a cubicle or a giant corner office with a view, is not exactly designed for maximum activity.  Your desk is basically invented so you can do everything you need to do in a day without lifting your butt out of a chair.

But if you do work in an office, your are there the majority of your waking hours, so fitting in some movement while you’re there is necessary to a healthy lifestyle. You can only bust your butt in the gym for so many hours, and if you sit all day long, those gym sessions are just making up for that lack of movement.

You can get in some movement, and even a little exercise, if you try these ideas:

1. Keep a dumbbell at your desk. It doesn’t have to be heavy—just a five-pound dumbbell will do. Throughout the day, you can use the weight for bicep curls and other arm exercises.

2. Skip the elevator; take the stairs. Even if you’re only on the second floor, taking the stairs instead of the elevator will get in some of that physical activity that you need.

3. Do tricep dips in the break room.  Simply turn around with your back to the counter, grasp the counter with your hands, bend your elbows, and slowly dip down until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Every little bit helps.

4. Squats are just one more exercise that can easily be done in the office. When you begin to get restless behind your desk, simply stand up, put out your arms, and bend your knees. A few squats every hour or so will do wonders for your thighs- even set an hourly alarm to remind you.

5. Walk when you have a chance. Even if it’s to another office in the building. Getting up and moving around is a great way to resist temptation- just stay away from the candy jars.

In Good Health,

Kelly Turner

Kelly Turner is a Seattle area ACE Certified Personal Trainer, health and fitness writer and editor of the fitness website, PhysiqueSpeak.com. To contact Kelly with any questions, you can email her at kellycturner@hotmail.com.