Five Exercises You Can Do At Your Desk

Damita Miller-Shanklin

If you work in an office setting, the holiday season often brings about potlucks and Christmas parties. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and sticking to a balanced diet might seem challenging during this festive time. But incorporating desk exercises can be your way to ward off extra weight and sustain your healthy lifestyle. Admittedly, having more treats is inevitable during these celebrations, but desk exercises can help you balance the scales.

Here are five exercises that you can do during your break:

Seated Leg Lifts:
- Sit up straight in your chair.
- Lift one leg off the floor, straightening it out in front of you.
- Hold for a few seconds and lower it back down.
- Repeat with the other leg.
- Aim for 10-15 lifts on each leg.
Desk Chair Squats:
- Stand up from your chair.
- Lower your body back down as if you’re about to sit back down, but hover just above the seat.
- Stand back up.
- Repeat for 15-20 squats.
Chair Dips:
- Stand facing away from your desk, with your hands on the edge of the desk.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows.
- Push back up.
- Repeat for 10-15 repetitions.
Neck and Shoulder Stretches:
- Gently tilt your head to one side, bringing your ear towards your shoulder.
- Hold for 15-20 seconds.
- Repeat on the other side.
- For shoulders, roll them backward in a circular motion for 15 seconds, then switch to forward rolls.
Desk Push-Ups:
- Stand a few steps away from your desk.
- Place your hands on the edge of the desk shoulder-width apart.
- Lower your chest towards the desk by bending your elbows.
- Push back up.
- Repeat for 10-15 push-ups.