5 ways to stay active during your workday
Sitting at a desk all day? Use these tricks to stay mobile while you're at work
Does this scenario sound familiar? You have a great run in the morning before work, you feel energized, loose and ready to tackle the day. You sit down at your desk and get to work, and by noon you’re feeling stiff, lethargic and like everything you did in the morning was for nothing. Sitting all day can have a negative impact on your health, and even runners need to make sure they’re incorporating some movement throughout their day. If you work a 9-5 desk job, use these tips to keep you mobile while you’re at work.
Walk or ride to work
If you’re still heading into the office (and your place of work is close by), consider walking or riding your bike to get there instead of driving. You may think that because you run, this extra bit of activity is unnecessary, but an easy walk or bike ride is a great way to flush out your legs after your morning interval session or even an easy run. Regular walking or riding can also help boost your endurance with less impact on your joints, ligaments and muscles.
Have standing or walking meetings
Who says every meeting has to happen around a table in a board room? If you’re in charge of the meeting, have everyone ditch the chairs and stand, or if it’s a meeting with only one or two others, consider taking it outside and going for a stroll, if that’s feasible. As a bonus, having everyone stand will make sure the meeting that is supposed to be 15 minutes is actually 15 minutes, as opposed to an hour.
Get a standing desk
Get yourself a desk that is adjustable so you can move from sitting to standing throughout your day. Standing while you’re working can take some getting used to, so to start, challenge yourself to stand for 15 minutes every hour, and work your way up from there. Make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes to do this, and if the surface you’re standing on is very hard, grab a relief mat to save your legs and back.
Take stretching/mobility breaks
Set a timer so that every hour, you’re taking a five-minute break to do a few light stretches or mobility exercises. They don’t have to be intense, but doing this will keep your blood flowing throughout the day, which will help your body recover faster from last night’s run.
Use your lunch hour
If you’re not already using your lunch break to fit a run into your schedule, try taking at least 15 minutes to leave the office (or your home office) and go for a walk. A little movement and fresh air will help rejuvenate your mind so you’re more focused when you return to your desk.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
