We Could All Use More Fitness And Less “Sitness”
I’ve been hearing and reading a lot lately about the dangers of sitting too much. A 2016 study reported that the average American sits for nine to 13 hours per day. Not only can a sedentary lifestyle lead to chronic back pain, but also an increased risk of cardiovascular problems and even cancer. The bottom line is that we should spend less time on our bottoms.
There are times when sitting is unavoidable, such as when driving. But many of us don’t work the same way our parents did. Even if you toil in an office for eight hours a day, you might have the option of using a standing desk. If not, you might want to try some of these simple desk exercises, or “deskercises,” to keep your back healthy and your blood flowing:
1. Desk Plank Jacks – Place your hands flat on your desk, step back into a modified plank position, then jump your feet in and out, keeping your back flat. Repeat for one minute.
2. Desk Push-Ups – Hands flat on your desk again, step back into a modified plank position, then lower your chest toward the desk and push back up, keeping your body in a straight line. Repeat for one minute.
3. Desk Tricep Dips – With your back to the desk, put your hands flat on the surface. Lower yourself into a chair position, with knees bent at 90-degrees and arms straight. Bend your elbows to get lower, then press back up. Repeat for one minute.
You might get some weird looks from co-workers when you’re “deskercising,” but it’s better than being looked at by a doctor. For more ways to squeeze in a workday workout without leaving the office, click here.
