Exercise Routines for Office Workers

Exercise Routines for Office Workers
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Your job doesn't have to come between you and your workout routine. When combined with daily work duties, exercises performed on the job can add a beneficial change of pace to refresh your body and mind.

Getting Started

Setting aside time to incorporate a workout can be difficult for some, so why not find ways to incorporate your workout within your job? Decide what's reasonable and realistic for your work setting. Write down your specific goals for health and fitness. Recruit fellow office workers and work to keep each other motivated and accountable to stick to the routine.

Tips and Ideas

Incorporating creative ways to exercise can begin with finding opportunities for the following examples: Walk or bike to work. Park at the end of the parking lot to make for a longer walk into work. Doing one or both of these can help elevate your cardiovascular efficiency and help decrease your risk of heart-related issues, such as high blood pressure.
Stand while on the phone or at a meeting. When standing, you burn more calories than when sitting, the Mayo Clinic says. Incorporate "walking meetings" to discuss work projects. When it's practical, do laps inside your building or take your walking meetings outdoors. Take fitness breaks during the day to stretch and walk around. This can help rejuvenate you mentally and physically. Organize a lunchtime walking group. Enjoy the camaraderie and offer encouragement to one another.

Keep in Mind

If you're unable to get away from your desk for an extended period, you can exercise from your office or cubicle. Using a fitness ball in place of a chair, performing desk stretches for areas such as your back, wrists and hips, or incorporating a chair yoga regimen are all great ways of fitting in fitness at the office. Performing such activities every day is a sure way to increase your level of fitness and help you maintain good levels of flexibility and overall posture. They can also reduce the risk of strain in areas of the body susceptible from activities such as typing on a computer, talking on the phone and sitting for extended periods.

Actions to Habits

Exercise is an action that can form into a habit. By incorporating behaviors such as recruiting fellow co-workers, setting goals and maintaining consistency, you can reap the benefits of daily exercise even when unable to leave the office.

References

Article reviewed by Anton Alden Last updated on: Feb 20, 2011

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