Promoting good health and exercise in the office environment is an important step in ensuring you’re still able to keep fit while working at a desk.
For office workers, much of our working lifestyle may be spent sitting, whether in meetings, or at a computer. Workers spend up to five hours on average at a desk over the course of the day. The health issues of such a sedentary lifestyle are well documented and keeping yourself moving and limber can be a good way to reducing the risks associated with prolonged sitting.
Getting enough exercise during the day is by no means an easy feat – but especially when you spend most of your week sat at a desk. Fortunately, there are ways your employees can stay active at work. From desk weights to walking meetings, we’ve rounded up our favourites that you can share with your team.
How to exercise at your desk
Isometrics, more commonly known as desk exercises are a great way to put the work into workout. Here’s a few you can do in between reading emails that will get your blood pumping:
- Squeeze your core muscles in tightly for one minute, then releasing. Do as many reps as you can throughout the day. If you’re able to, using desk weights for bicep curls or overhead presses whilst you carry out this exercise will help target those abs.
- Seated leg raises are another way you can sneak in a fitness activity – just make sure you have enough leg room to fully extend your legs without knocking into anyone. Straighten your left leg so that it’s parallel to the floor and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat for 15 reps then do the same with your right leg.
Ways to exercise at work
Although desk exercises are a great way to incorporate some movement into an otherwise immobile day, taking every opportunity to make sure you’re keeping fit in the office will really go the extra mile when it comes to meeting your employee’s fitness goals.
Face-to-face conversations
With technology coming on leaps and bounds, it’s all too easy to just send a quick email, or a message on your workspace app. Why not try walking over to speak to someone in person? No matter how trivial the subject, it’s a no-brainer way for your employees to get their steps in.
Walking meetings
Walking meetings can inspire creativity and contribute to your office wellness goals. If the sun is shining, take your session for a stroll outside along with your co-workers and get them moving. It’s bound to increase communication between staff, and it’s one of the best ways you can counter the unhealthy effects of sitting at a desk all day.
Take your lunch break
Make sure your employees are taking their full allocated hour, and rather than sitting in the canteen or at their desk, try to encourage going for a walk. No matter how short, a little fresh air is a much more enjoyable way of keeping fit in the office.
Stability balls
Swap the traditional office chairs for these stability balls to upgrade those desk exercises – your body uses your abdominal muscles to compensate for the change in balance, so every time you sit down, you’re effectively getting a low-intensity ab workout.
Neglecting exercise can put an employee’s physical and mental health at risk, which has an impact on productivity. Recommending these simple physical routines to your employees will make the world of a difference.
Find out more about life in the office at Staples.
