10 Creative Ways To Stay Active And Burn Calories At Your Desk

Being stuck in the office all day can get really dull and tiresome. By the time you clock out, hitting the gym might feel impossible. Many people ask us for office exercise tips to burn some calories while working or studying. So, let’s dive into 10 simple tricks you can use right now to keep healthy at your desk.

First off, drink plenty of water. It’s easy to forget to hydrate when you’re deep in work. Set multiple alarms on your phone to remind you to grab some water. This not only keeps you hydrated but also gets you up and moving.

All those water breaks mean you’ll need to visit the bathroom often. Take the long route to the restroom to get your blood flowing. I don’t mean going to a bathroom on another floor, but find a longer way to your regular one.

Consider swapping your office chair for a stability ball. This can improve your posture and core strength since it forces you to sit upright and maintain your balance. Plus, you can do some quick ball crunches during breaks.

Try glute squeezes while sitting at your desk. Tighten your butt muscles, hold for 5-10 seconds, then release and repeat. Another exercise is the calf raise. Press down on your feet and lift your heels while keeping your toes on the ground to engage your calves. The harder you push, the more resistance you get.

For your thighs and hips, adductor squeezes are great. Press your knees together against your fists, hold for 5-10 seconds, then release and repeat. To work the outer thighs, press against your outer knees while trying to open them, holding the squeeze for 5-10 seconds.

If you don’t mind looking a bit silly, arm circles are excellent for the shoulders. Extend your arms and make small circles forward for 30 seconds, rest, then do 30 seconds in the opposite direction.

To work your quads under the desk, do leg extensions. Hold onto your chair or desk for balance, extend your leg by raising your foot and calf, contract the quad for 5-10 seconds, then release and repeat.

If you have some privacy or don’t mind others watching, you can do full-body exercises like squats, pushups, and planks. Use your chair, desk, or stability ball for support and balance.

Exercise while working doesn’t have to be complicated. Let your imagination guide you to find ways to stay active. Remember to stay active every day and always find some time to break a sweat to stay on track with your health goals!