We could all do with improving our activity levels at work to prevent injuries, illness and weight gain. Still, this is sometimes easier said than done. There isn’t always an outdoor space for a lunchtime walk and treadmills seem like an extreme answer. Luckily, there are some fun, unusual office gadgets to help with fitness at work.
Alternatives to using exercise equipment under the desk.
Under desk exercise equipment is great for those with the drive, confidence and budget to push their attempts further. However, this wont be for everyone. If the idea of a full under desk exercise bike or treadmill is too much, there are smaller scale options. Some office workers prefer a simple sets of pedals that get the feet moving, without the stress of worrying about resistance levels and data tracking as you work. A weird, but effective approach is a stepper that you hook up to the computer. This is definitely one for the dedicated user as there are consequences for slacking off. The computer link knows when you have slowed down, or given up on your steps, and hijacks the mouse and/or keyboard as punishment. No exercise means no productivity, and there can be no better incentive than that.
Then there are the interesting office chairs that help with fitness and tone.
Office chairs that are ergonomic for a better posture are just the start when trying to eliminate back pain, neck strain and other health problems with sitting all day at a desk. Some workers like to turn to stools with no back support. The special shape is designed to improve core strength and posture to limit the risk to bones, joints and heart health. Then there are the gym chairs with resistance bands attached for exercising arms and leg muscles while sat at a desk. The wider the range of bands, the better the workout and progress. There are even chairs with balance balls within them for an even more difficult balance experience.
Other smaller, cheaper tools that can help in the office.
There are some cheaper versions of some of the elements above that are ideal for those that don’t want to spend a fortune. For example, the chairs with balance aids may be too much to start with, so an additional destabilising cushion may work better. You can add it to the seat to act like a balance ball or posture stool, but you can then take it off when it gets too much. There are also resistance bands and ankle straps sold separately to attach to a normal chair for leg exercises. Furthermore, there are lots of different hand gadgets, like balls and gloves for avoiding repetitive strain injuries. Don’t forget to tie this all in with goal tracking with wearable fitness trackers if you want to measure your exercise progress.
There are plenty of options out there for those that want to exercise more at work, and in lots of different ways. Under desk machines are great for improved health and fitness, but not necessarily the best starting point. Work with a different type of chair, keep some weights in your desk drawer and play around with resistance bands. Then you can work up to the under desk exercise equipment.
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