10 Easy Exercises for Office Workers

You may love your job and enjoy seeing the results of your hard work, but achieving them could also mean spending hours at your desk and staring at a computer screen - something that you cannot really avoid in a nine-to-five job. The effects of such a sedentary lifestyle could be alarming and can take a toll on your fitness. Luckily, there are some exercises for office workers that can let them ace both, work and health.

If you are unable to squeeze out a dedicated time for exercise during the week, exercising at work may be your option. Staying physically active will not only energize you but will also improve focus and productivity. All you need are a few minutes during the course of your workday, and if performed regularly, you will notice a significant difference in your health.

Let's take a look at 10 exercises for office workers to fit into your workday.

Top Exercises for Office Workers

Fitness should not have to hold while you work on being successful. Both of these can be done simultaneously. Office-goers face the trouble of not being able to make time for physical activity. If you also have the same issue, read on to discover some exercises for office workers that will help you in your goal.

1. Include walking in your commute plan

Begin by including walking into your routine, and it could start with your commute. Walk to your office if you live nearby or get off the public transport a few stops earlier than your office stop. If you drive to work, park your vehicle in the parking lot far away from the office building. Opt for the stairs instead of the elevator - climbing stairs is one of the most accessible and effective exercises for office workers that not only burns calories but also gets your heart beating faster, boosting blood circulation.

2. Keep moving during the day

'Stand rather than sit and walk rather than stand' could be your office fitness mantra. Standing and walking burns more calories than sitting, and you can include it in normal activities around the office, like standing while talking on the phone, skipping that email or message and walking up to your colleague to discuss an issue, or walking to the water station for refills. This will ensure continuous blood circulation in your arms and legs. It is among the best exercises for office workers.

3. Include simple stretching exercises in your schedule

You can perform simple stretches while sitting at your desk to prevent your body from feeling stiff. Here are some top stretching exercises for office workers which can be done anywhere anytime.

1. Neck - Flex your neck slowly forward and backward and side-to-side. Avoid rolling the head around your neck as it could damage neck joints. This stretch can lessen strain and tension at any time of the day.
2. Arms and shoulders - Roll your shoulders forward and backward an equal number of times to ease tension. Brace your hands on the edge of the desk keeping them at shoulders' width apart; twist the hands till they face outwards and lean forward while hunching the shoulders.
3. Wrists - Rolling the wrists minimizes the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome in those who spend a lot of time typing.
4. Ankles and calves - Like the wrists, the ankles can also be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise to improve circulation and avoid the 'pins and needles' feeling. For calves, rest your legs on the balls of the feet and point them forward to give a good stretch to the calves.
5. Chest - Open your arms and rotate the wrists externally as you pull your shoulders back. This gives a good stretch to the upper chest.
6. Abdomen - Contract and release the abdominal and gluteal muscles alternatively. Pelvic flow exercises or Kegels exercises can also be performed while sitting.

Keep simple fitness tools with you at work and make use of exercises for office workers with a little help. You can also exercise using simple equipment that you can keep at your work desk or space:

1. Hand gripper - When you are reading some documents on screen or paper, you would not require your hands as much. Use this opportunity to squeeze a small hand gripper to give the forearm a little workout.
2. Elastic band - While you stretch your arms, how about using an inexpensive, light band that works the arms muscles lightly.
3. Stability ball - While talking on the phone or when not actively typing on the computer screen, sit on a fitness ball with your back straight and abs firm. You may add a little bouncing or basic toning exercises to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis.
4. Squash ball - A squash ball can be used to relax the forearm muscles that get tensed doing computer-related work.

4. Give your eyes a break

Shift focus from your computer screen every 30 minutes and scan other objects in the room. This gives your eyes movement and breaks the continuous focus you need to apply when looking at a screen. It also reduces the risk of eye irritation and headaches.

5. Exercises while standing

1. Office chair squat - Stand as tall as you can, keeping your shoulders relaxed. Lift your toes up, and keeping the back straight, lower your hips till you reach one inch from your desk chair. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat.
2. Desk pushup - Stand in front of the desk and place your hands on the desk's edge. Keeping shoulder-width apart and legs behind push as much as you can. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat.
3. Victory pose - Sweep arms above the head and down again as you step side-to-side.

6. Carry your exercise plans on work travel

You shouldn't lag behind in fitness just because your work involves a lot of travel. Make use of the hotel fitness facilities like a treadmill, weights, and pool to get a quick workout. You can even carry small fitness equipment like an elastic band in your suitcase.

7. Use your lunch hour for more

Rather than a leisurely lunch or a lunch at the desk while you continue to work, squeeze in a quick walk around the office building or a short gym session if your office has one.

8. Meet on-the-go

When practical, schedule walking meetings or brainstorming sessions, either inside the office or around the office complex.

9. Invest in an exercise desk

If you are serious about committing to fitness while at work and are ready to take it to the next level, you can look at options for a specialized exercise desk that allows you to stand or walk while you work.

10. Lastly, don't let the fear of embarrassing yourself prevent you from staying healthy and exercising at work.

You might serve as an inspiration to other co-workers and even get them to join you in a walk around the office complex or a lunch-hour gym session!

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