Are you slouched over at your desk, feeling sluggish and out of shape? You're not alone. Every year, people spend more and more time on the job, which means prolonged periods of inactivity at your desk. If you're a busy working bee, squeeze in our easy office workouts in between meetings and see your energy soar.
READY. SET. GO.:
Are you ready to sweat? Not likely if you're wearing a lovely pair of Louboutin's with a finely pressed Stella suit. But that doesn't mean you can't shape up and slim down in and around the office. For starter's, how do you get to work? If you live less than 2 miles away, consider walking. It's the best way to squeeze in a workout-sans the gym. If you commute to work via subway or a car, start your workout the minute you enter your office building. Take the stairs and get your circulation going before you sit down in your chair.
LUNCH BREAK Invest in a pair of Rubberduck Snowjoggers and take 30-minute speed walk at lunch. You'll come back refreshed and glowing
DESK PUSH-UPS:
Equipment: For this exercise a sturdy chair or a desk.
Start Position: Place your hands shoulder-width apart against a desk-arms slightly bent. Your back should be straight, abdominals tight, and head in line with your spine so that you are at a 45-degree angle to the floor.
Motion: In a controlled motion, lower yourself until your chest touches the chair or desk, hold it, and push out so that you are back to your starting position. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
Muscle Feeling: You should feel this exercise in your chest (pectoral) area.
Avoid: Avoid hyper-extending your joints by straightening them all the way. Keep a slight bend in elbows and knees to make sure the muscle, and not the joint, is working.
CHAIR SQUATS:
Equipment: A sturdy chair.
Start Position: Stand in front of your chair with your arms crossed in front of your chest and your feet hip-width apart. Keep your back straight, abdominals tight, and head up to avoid injury and target the area.
Motion: Lower yourself in a controlled motion until your legs are bent at a 90-degree angle or you are seated in the chair. Pause for one second, and then push through your heals until you return to the starting position. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
Muscle Feeling: You should feel this exercise in your upper thighs and buttocks.
Avoid: Do not let your knees pass your toes when you lower yourself to prevent straining the knee joints.
TRICEP DIPS:
Equipment: A sturdy chair.
Start Position: Sit at the front edge of a chair with arms by your side and fingers forward on the front edge of the chair. Legs should be outstretched, slightly bent, with your weight on your heels. Keep your back straight, abdominals tight, and head up.
Motion: Push yourself up and away from the chair enough so you can dip down until your shoulders are at a 90-degree angle. Then, push until your arms are only slightly bent and repeat with 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
Muscle Feeling: You should feel this in your triceps and shoulder area.
Avoid: Make sure you do not go too far down or too far away from the chair as this will strain the shoulder area.
