Exercise Without Standing Up
By Tom Herrin
Everyone knows they need to exercise. It is as obvious as the need for sleep. Some embrace programs that are designed to yield big results. For some, this is what they need and crave. For others, they really need some way to maximize the time available while they are hardly able to get out and be as active as they feel they should. So many people have jobs in which they are barely afforded the opportunity to get up and around that they are sometimes desperate for some way to get exercise while sitting in a chair. This is often due to some kind of work they do that almost ties them to their desk chair.
Work the Hands
Believe it or not, it is possible to exercise the hands without anything in them. Some of the squeezing accessories are good if they are available. Many people use various kinds of hand weights as well. If people don't have any of those things, they can do a few things to help with only bare hands. With or without holding something in their hands, they can squeeze something tightly and hold it for three to five seconds. Repeating this 5-10 times can provide a sufficient workout.
Work the Shoulders
Most people who have sat for long periods at a desk are familiar with the discomfort that builds in the neck and shoulders. It can be pretty miserable. Much of the time, this is largely due to the fact that there has not been enough movement. This results in a lack of blood flow. Sitting at a desk, a person can simply grab the seat at the sides and pull up, sort of shrugging the shoulders as they do. Using a pulling up motion, it can be held for 6-10 seconds and repeated around five times.
Work the Core
You may be able to sit in a chair and squeeze your abs tightly, breathing deeply as you do. I have found that I can work my abs fairly well by sitting on a ball or some other surface that is not flat. It seems that as my body attempts to balance itself, I am able to work core muscles. There are lots of ways to get some kind of exercise as we sit. By doing so, we can increase blood flow to the muscles and get some small movement at the same time.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Huntersville, N.C.