If there is one thing that working at a desk inevitably causes, it is general unhealthiness.
It is incredibly challenging to try and maintain any kind of good health or fitness levels when sitting at a desk for 9 hours a day.
This is one of the reasons that many people recommend avoiding sitting at desks entirely, either by picking up a standing desk instead or trying to figure out how to work out while working.
Here are some great ways to be able to work out while you work.
The Easiest: Staying Standing Instead Of Sitting
Working in any kind of office environment typically means that you will spend all of your time sitting in the same spot for hours at a time.
Sitting has long since been established as potentially one of the very worst things you can do for your body. We simply did not evolve to remain sitting for untold hours at a time, meaning that sitting for so long can be seriously detrimental to your overall wellbeing, including your back, your knees, and just your body in general.
One of the easiest ways to improve your working health is to simply stay standing instead of sitting down.
This means getting a standing desk rather than a normal desk with a chair.
This allows you to spend multiple hours standing while working, letting you enjoy a more comfortable working environment.
Just make sure to take advantage of already being standing at work and go for frequent walking breaks to stay fresh.
Try & Cycle At Work Instead
Not everyone wants to be spending all of their working hours standing at work. Maybe you have flat feet, or maybe you just hate having to stand straight for so many hours, so what could you do instead to try and stay healthy?
Why not consider a cycling chair?
Cycle chairs are a strange idea because they actually combine both standing desk setups and exercise bikes as well.
However, being able to work out while physically working could be just the thing a person needs to try and stay healthy.
You don't need to be constantly moving and cycling, either. You can instead be doing a slower-paced, gradual workout, or even just do short bursts of activity instead.
A good way to look at it is to be actively exercising on the bike whenever you take breaks, letting your legs get some use while also earning back the calories you will eat in snacks!
Good examples of cycle desk bikes also allow you to maneuver the chair up and down, letting you create a sort of half-standing desk setup by leaning against the seat cushion.
How About A Treadmill Desk?
Another great alternative to other types of workout desk equipment is to utilize a treadmill desk.
Basically, just a treadmill converted to be compatible with a desk, usually with the power cables running alongside the table's legs, and likely with some helpful work accessories like armrests, these chairs are all about combining standing desks with active movement.
You can either try and be constantly walking throughout the day or instead just set it to brief brisk walks when you feel the need to burn off a little bit of extra energy.
Keeping Some Small Weights For A Small Weight Session
Weight lifting doesn’t have to be kept within the confines of the gym; you can even do it when you are meant to be working!
While some people are lucky enough to work in an environment with an office gym, most of us need to make our own gym exercise equipment accessible to ourselves.
Why not try keeping a few small weights at your office desk. Throughout the day, you can absentmindedly be lifting the weights as you go, just doing a few curls on and off.
If you work on phones a lot, it is a great thing to have on hand to keep your other hand distracted and busy; plus, it is good for you!
Taking Frequent Breaks
This one might seem pretty obvious, but taking frequent breaks is one of the very best things that you can do to improve your physical health.
Get up from your chair, or standing desk, or cycle chair, and go for a little walk. Either around the office, to the kitchen and bank, or even just around the block - you want good, solid several minutes of not looking at a computer screen or hurting your back.
IF you can get to a gym on your little break, even better, but the most important thing you can do for yourself takes some time away from your work environment.
Physically, mentally and even psychologically, breaks are the best way to stay healthy and keep yourself fit while at work.
