Desk (Sitting) Workouts

[SpAmRaY]

So if it wasn't obvious by now I spend a good 8-10 hours a day 5 or 6 days a week sitting behind my computer screens at a desk.

I had some physical therapy a while back for some neck issues and they gave me a few exercises that could be done at my desk.

Just curious if anyone has stretches, motions or any type of 'desk' workout they do during the workday to mix things up?

Also for people who do sit at a desk most of the time what do you find helpful to do when you aren't working to get out of the sitting habit?

[osi]

Since I've quit smoking, walking breaks are becoming less frequent but they are really helpful. The mind and the body need a break especially if you've been going at it for a few hours. A nice mental stretch and a deep breath can do wonders.

The only exercises I've done at my desk have been wearing ankle weights and doing leg lifts and similar stuff while sitting down. Then you can always hit the calves when you stand up. I've got some good use out of  grip/hand strengtheners too.

Sitting on an exercise ball is cool at first but honestly, that gets cumbersome for me after a while.

[Grim Fandango]

I do not have any expert advice.

However, I do have my own method of dealing with this problem. It simply involves standing up and walking around. Sometimes, when I need to read something, I do it standing and while walking around in the office instead of when sitting down. I will also get up regularly. Sometimes to get a glass of water. Other times just to stretch.

Another thing I do is keep a correct posture (most of the time, not even close to all the time, though I should), and make sure that everything is set up correctly (Desk at the correct height and so on). All of this goes a long way to prevent problems and keep you comfortable. I have had lower back problems that are caused by a sports-accident. I did all of this to prevent this becoming an issue in my every day working routine, and so far, it has really helped.

What you do outside the office / workplace is also important. Getting enough exercise and doing sports makes you a lot stronger and more flexible, and enables your body to deal with a lot more abuse.

[katushkin]

Kegels.

[Grim Fandango]

Kegels.

Kegels? I am not sure what this is, and when I google image it it shows something that I do not think you should sit on 

[katushkin]

Basically your sex muscles. Helps you maintain stronger erections and achieve greater orgasm. If that's what you want.

You basically repeatedly clench and unclench one muscle in the base of your pelvis (you know the one you contract when you want to stop yourself peeing; when you find it you will realise)

But yeah, so that's something you can do quite discreetly as you are sitting down that's beneficial. Maybe not what spamray was asking for...

It does hurt when you start, like working any muscles you don't normally repeatedly use (not a dig, just the truth)

[cbot]

Try standing up every 30 minutes and doing basic stretches you can find on the internet. Your body was not made to sit for hours on end and I've seen people develop blood clots because of it.

[rowdy]

A while back I had severe pain in my right shoulder.  At worst if felt like someone sticking a knife in my back part way down.

I saw a physiotherapist, and he determined that one of my ribs was misplaced, and the cause was probably hunching forward with my mouse arm.

He suggested lying on the floor with a tennis ball under that particular spot a couple of times a day.

I did this, and it helped immensely.

Since then I try ot sit more upright and keep my shoulders back.  It was a while later that I discovered TKL keyboards, so I could have my mouse closer.

What has this got to do with deskercise?  Sometimes if my shoulders start to ache, I put wedge the tennis ball between my back and the chair.  Takes a couple of tries to get it in position, but feels so good when it is there.  I has the added benefit of ensuring that I keep that shoulder back.

Since I've been doing this, I haven ot had a severe recurrence of the back pain.

[Novus]

Basically your sex muscles. Helps you maintain stronger erections and achieve greater orgasm. If that's what you want.

You basically repeatedly clench and unclench one muscle in the base of your pelvis (you know the one you contract when you want to stop yourself peeing; when you find it you will realise)

But yeah, so that's something you can do quite discreetly as you are sitting down that's beneficial. Maybe not what spamray was asking for...

It does hurt when you start, like working any muscles you don't normally repeatedly use (not a dig, just the truth)

10/10 Comedy gold mine this.

[Psybin]

I just get up a lot and try not to sit for extended periods of time, drinking lots of water during the day forces this.

I have a slightly bulging disc in my back from years of weight lifting and sitting all day really jacks me up. I have a stand up desk at home and just bought a uplift frame for my desk at work. Hopefully I can at least claim it as a tax write off ($530).  Sucks to spend the money but it'll pay for itself in the health benefits.

[paicrai]

i know a great one involving a desk: f-
leaving it

[katushkin]

Basically your sex muscles. Helps you maintain stronger erections and achieve greater orgasm. If that's what you want.

You basically repeatedly clench and unclench one muscle in the base of your pelvis (you know the one you contract when you want to stop yourself peeing; when you find it you will realise)

But yeah, so that's something you can do quite discreetly as you are sitting down that's beneficial. Maybe not what spamray was asking for...

It does hurt when you start, like working any muscles you don't normally repeatedly use (not a dig, just the truth)

10/10 Comedy gold mine this.

[ShawnMeg]

Maybe not necessarily in the chair, but in my office, I can do:

parallel dips between 2 chairs
Chair dip pushups
regular pushups with pushup bars or Perfect pushup
Ab wheel rollouts

At home, pullups & chinups

[ShawnMeg]

Basically your sex muscles. Helps you maintain stronger erections and achieve greater orgasm. If that's what you want.

You basically repeatedly clench and unclench one muscle in the base of your pelvis (you know the one you contract when you want to stop yourself peeing; when you find it you will realise)

But yeah, so that's something you can do quite discreetly as you are sitting down that's beneficial. Maybe not what spamray was asking for...

It does hurt when you start, like working any muscles you don't normally repeatedly use (not a dig, just the truth)

Haha, need to do some sexercise!  I'll work on my love muscle.

[Novus]

Basically your sex muscles. Helps you maintain stronger erections and achieve greater orgasm. If that's what you want.

You basically repeatedly clench and unclench one muscle in the base of your pelvis (you know the one you contract when you want to stop yourself peeing; when you find it you will realise)

But yeah, so that's something you can do quite discreetly as you are sitting down that's beneficial. Maybe not what spamray was asking for...

It does hurt when you start, like working any muscles you don't normally repeatedly use (not a dig, just the truth)

Haha, need to do some sexercise!  I'll work on my love muscle.

Giggity