Balancing Work and Workout: Must-Have Office Fitness Equipment for a Seamless Transition Back to Work
If you finally jumped on board the fitness train during the pandemic and developed a workout routine while stuck at home, you’re not alone. According to a RunRepeat survey, exercise increased by 88% during lockdown.
But as life returns to normal and you transition away from remote work and return to an in-office setting, it’s more important than ever to maintain those healthy habits. Sitting at a desk for 8+ hours a day can wreak havoc on your body and cause complications like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. (No wonder sitting has been dubbed the new smoking).
The good news? Incorporating movement at the office and keeping up with daily fitness is easier than you think. Thanks to discreet under-desk and office-friendly fitness equipment, you can keep your body active and your mind sharp throughout the workday.
Tips to Maintain Your Fitness Routine as You Return to the Office
As you trade your PJs for pantsuits and your home office for a corporate setting, it’s important to keep your fitness a priority. Here are some helpful tips for maintaining your health as you head back to the office.
Workout in the Morning
Starting your day with exercise does more than just get the blood pumping. It can kick-start your metabolism, making you feel more alert and helping to enhance weight loss.[1] Activities such as yoga or a brisk walk can wake your body up, and a quick strength training session can build muscle and burn calories. This also guarantees that no matter how unpredictable your day becomes, you’ve already fit in your workout.
Switch up Your Commute
Instead of driving or taking the bus to work, consider biking or walking. These options help to incorporate more physical activity into your day, can save you money, and are more environmentally friendly. Even if you can’t walk or bike the whole way, consider parking farther from the office or getting off a stop or two early to add in extra steps. Every little bit counts!
Incorporate Office-Friendly Fitness Equipment
Having exercise equipment that’s easily accessible can be a game changer. Whether it’s converting a portion of your home office into a home gym for remote days or bringing equipment with you to work, having gear on hand will help you stick to your routine. An under-desk treadmill or balance cushion are sneaky ways to add calorie-burning activities to your day.
What Are the Benefits of Having Exercise Equipment at Your Desk?
On top of helping you to hit your move goal and burn a couple of extra calories, there are also work-related benefits to office workouts. Here are some reasons you should stash some fitness equipment at your desk when you return to the office.
Increased Productivity and Focus
Have you ever spent 15 minutes rereading the same line in your boss’ email? That’s brain fog. A common cause of this lack of focus and mental clarity is spending too much time at a computer– which you’re probably doing a lot of back in the office. Studies show that physical activity like walking or low-impact exercise can improve creativity and energy while reducing fatigue.[2][3]
Reduced Stress Levels
On top of your everyday workload, changes in your routine (like the transition from WFH to the office) can be stressful. Exercise can help you blow off steam and also release endorphins–chemicals in your brain–that help you feel happy and effectively manage the stresses of the workday.
Improves Physical Fitness
You don’t need hours of intense exercise a day to live a healthy lifestyle. Research shows that short, moderate to vigorous exercise sessions sprinkled throughout the day can have similar health benefits to longer workouts.[4] When it comes to improving strength, endurance, flexibility, and weight management, every second counts. A pair of weights at your desk or compact resistance bands can help you sneak in micro-workouts.
6 Pieces of Office-Friendly Exercise Equipment to Keep At Your Desk
Are you wondering how to fit a workout into your workday seamlessly? Here are 6 office-friendly equipment recommendations that will help you sneak in some exercise right at your desk!
1. LifeSpan TR1200-DT3 Under Desk Treadmill
Walking conference calls, anyone? A study from Mayo Clinic shows that walking while working can burn up to 130 extra calories per hour compared to sitting. And the LifeSpan TR1200-DT3 is so sleek and quiet that your coworkers won’t even know that you’re getting your steps in!
2. GoFit Stability Ball
Have you heard of “active sitting”? It’s a way to keep your body moving and engaged, even while seated. Simply swap out your desk chair for the GoFit Stability Ball for a few hours each day to challenge your back, abs, and glutes. Bonus: it also helps improve your posture!
3. Fitness Town Balance Cushion
There are a ton of ways to incorporate the Fitness Town Balance Cushion into your desk fitness routine. You can use it to cushion your rockhard office chair while simultaneously challenging your core. Or you can stand on it when using your standing desk to relieve lower back and joint pressure while also enhancing your balance and posture. The possibilities are endless!
4. GoFit Ultimate ProGym (Resistance Band Kit)
Resistance bands will help you get a pump anytime, anywhere. They help you burn fat and build muscle without taking up space. The GoFit Ultimate ProGym offers 7 levels of resistance so you can decide how intense you want your desk workout to be. And when you’re done, secure them in the included storage bag and stow them away in your desk drawer.
5. Fitness Town Neoprene Dumbbells
Dumbbells are one of the best ways to strength train. The Neoprene Dumbbells from Fitness Town are comfortable, portable, and range from 1lb to 10lbs. Use them to do seated bicep curls at your desk, or when the weather is nice, take them with you on your lunch break walk.
6. Keiser M3i Indoor Bike
If you have a hybrid work schedule–or a super cool boss who will let you keep a spin bike in your cubicle–the Keiser M3i Indoor Bike is a great addition to your home gym/home office combo. A quick 20-minute ride on your lunch break is the perfect way to break up your day, reenergize, and torch some calories.
Commit to Your Health
Going back to the office doesn’t have to mean giving up on your fitness routine. By stowing exercise equipment at your desk, you can keep the momentum going in your fitness journey while fulfilling your professional commitments. Whether you want to take walking conference calls or build a 6-pack while responding to emails, office exercise equipment can help you kill two birds with one stone. Check out our collection of office-friendly fitness equipment and get ready for your employee of the month award!
References:
[1] Schumacher LM, Thomas JG, Raynor HA, Rhodes RE, Bond DS. Consistent Morning Exercise May Be Beneficial for Individuals With Obesity. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2020 Oct;48(4):201-208. doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000226. PMID: 32658039; PMCID: PMC7492403.
[2] APA PsycNet. https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fa0036577. Accessed 4 Aug. 2023.
[3] Puetz TW, Flowers SS, O’Connor PJ. A randomized controlled trial of the effect of aerobic exercise training on feelings of energy and fatigue in sedentary young adults with persistent fatigue. Psychother Psychosom. 2008;77(3):167-74. doi: 10.1159/000116610. Epub 2008 Feb 14. PMID: 18277063.
[4] Fan, Jessie X., et al. “Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity and Weight Outcomes: Does Every Minute Count?” American Journal of Health Promotion, vol. 28, no. 1, Sept. 2013, pp. 41–49. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.4278/ajhp.120606-QUAL-286.
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