Sitting at your desk all day can take a major toll on your health, especially your weight. Not only does it increase the risk of getting diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, a lackadaisical lifestyle also reduces productivity and adds to stress. Going to the gym every day is easier said than done. In fact, 45% of professionals in the MENA exercise only occasionally, according to the Bayt.com “MENA Professionals Health and Eating Habits” poll, March 2012. The good news is that you can do simple exercises at work which can help you tone up gradually. Here are 5 simple toning exercises you can do at work:
Photo credit: Berlin Hauptbahnhof Why opt for the elevator when you can take the stairs? Taking the stairs up to the office and back down is a great way to burn calories and tone up your leg and thigh muscles. If you’re not motivated to take the stairs alone, get a colleague to do it with you; this will make it fun and benefit both of you in the long-run.
Photo credit: Alexander Lyubavin The rise of technology has inadvertently made us lazier, especially when it comes to walking from one end of the office to another. Nowadays you can simply chat online with your colleague who sits a couple of desks away. Instead of doing this, try walking to them to have a face-to-face conversation. Walking around the office will really improve your blood circulation and posture. In fact, walking is the most preferred form of exercise, as stated by 49% of professionals in the Bayt.com “MENA Professionals Health and Eating Habits” poll.
This exercise can be done twice or thrice a day. Move your chair a little behind and squat down without support. Pretend as though you are sitting on a chair without a chair actually being there. Hold that posture for about 10 to 15 seconds and spring back up. This will do wonders for all of your body muscles!
Photo credit: Carl Brodeur Typing all day can affect your arms, fingers and neck. A great way to beat this, and tone this area, is to relax by taking a short break and stretching your arms up towards the ceiling. Stretch them as though you feel something is pulling you from above for it to be super effective.
Photo: credit Quinn Dombrowski This is a less conspicuous toning exercise that can be done at any time. Stretch out your legs under your desk completely and hold for five seconds. Then push your right leg down and left leg down alternately without letting your feet touching the floor. This exercise is awesome for your calve muscles. You can even do ankles rotations at the end to relieve any ankle or foot pain.
