There’s nothing more challenging than setting your sights on getting in shape and realizing it’s even more difficult because you sit at a desk all day long. Whether you’re parked in front of a computer or you’re on a phone day in and day out, sitting is our worst enemy when it comes to getting in shape. Our joints feel it; our muscles feel it – and even our bones – aren’t meant to be seated all day long. From trying your best to squeeze in those early a.m. trips to the gym, to figuring out just how to meet your girls for a run after a long day at the office, mixing it up with some easy exercises to do at your desk will keep your body moving all day long.
5 Easy Exercises to Do at Your Desk
#1. Take the Stairs. Obviously you’re not actually sitting at your desk while you do this one, but when you know you’re going to be stuck at your desk all day, opt for the stairs whenever and wherever you can. Going from your office to lunch…? Take the stairs. Taking a bathroom break? Add in a quick trip up the stairs. Grabbing a coffee? Go for the stairs first. It’s pretty simple.
#2. Go for a wall sit every couple of hours. When it’s time to take a break, find a little piece of wall to cozy up to and that that core and legs working with a quick two-minute wall sit. No equipment needed, just you and the wall. You’ll be surprised at just how challenging this can be.
#3. Got a long phone call you have to sit through? It just so happens that’s the perfect time for calf raises. Just stand by your desk where you can still easily chat on the phone, slip off your heels and start going for it with repeated calf raises. Challenge yourself by making through the whole phone call without taking a break.
#4. Seated leg raises. Sometimes you just have to stay seated, that’s all there is to it – so why not mix it up with some leg raises? Just lift one (or both!) of your legs until it’s straight and then hold. Count for 5 or 10 seconds and repeat. The best part about this one? It can even be done under a conference room table mid-meeting – it’s completely discreet!
#5. How about working those triceps? The edge of your desk is the perfect height to go for some classic triceps dips. Just put the palms of your hands on the edge of the desk, stretch your legs out in front of you and bend at the elbows and straighten to lift your body weight. Dip and straighten, dip and straighten – it’s an incredible upper body workout.
What do you think? Can you make desk exercises part of your daily routine?
