Did you know that sitting down all day is terrible for your health? It's been linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and even cancer.
Many people who work in sedentary jobs have tried to avoid this problem by investing in standing desks. Some offices even offer these desks to their able-bodied employees as an alternative.
Standing desks are great for keeping you slightly more active, but are there any standing desk exercises that can improve your workday even more?
Here are 4 of our favorite exercises that you can take a moment to do from your standing desk. You can even do some without stopping your work!
1. Side Lunges
This will require a brief break from your workflow, but it's a great way to spend a 2-minute break and stretch out your legs. It's great for your glutes and thighs!
Stand with a wide stance. With a "sitting back" motion, bend one leg and pull your torso to that side. Your other leg should straighten out. Repeat on the other side. You can do this for 10-20 per side depending on your stamina and time.
This is essentially a squat that puts more weight on one leg than the other. Make sure to put your weight in your heels.
2. Calf Raises
Calf raises are another exercise that's great for your legs. You don't even have to stop your workflow if you're writing or typing, though it may take some adjusting.
For this one, all you need to do is lift yourself onto your toes and then gently back down. Squeeze and hold the position when you're at the top. You can repeat this for as long as you like, but if you're not used to it you may feel some soreness the next day.
3. Almost Tree Pose
This is a yoga move that's great for balance. You can keep it up while you're working if you don't want to do a full tree pose.
Simply bring one leg into a "4" position while the other stays on the ground. Your foot should be pressed against your leg around or above the knee. Maintain your balance for as long as you like and then switch legs.
Bonus - you could turn this into a modified warrior 3 if you want to take a work break. Send the leg that's lifted back behind you and bring your torso down. You can hold onto the desk for support.
4. Glute Burnout
This is just a standing rear leg lift but it's great for lifted glutes.
Stand at your desk and lift one foot from the floor. Pulse small lifts when you reach a position where you can feel your glutes "turn on". Thirty seconds of pulses per leg should give you a gentle burn.
You can do this while you're working once you get used to it, but your coworkers (if you're in an office) may be confused.
Get a Burn at Work With These Standing Desk Exercises
You can do these standing desk exercises without losing productivity. Help to fight that sedentary lifestyle by working on your muscles while you're working on your spreadsheets.
If you're interested in some of our more active office products, check out what we have in stock to make your workday less sedentary and more productive.