How to workout at work

Many people use the excuse of not having time to workout. Between the demands of the job, family, and social obligations most people feel that exercise is not just a priority. However, studies show that being sedentary poses one of the largest health risks there is. Simply by getting up and moving you can lower your risk for developing several serious and sometimes life threatening diseases.

Employers have come to recognize being sedentary as a health risk as well, and have taken measures to encourage their employees to exercise more. More and more companies are creating a company culture that is giving incentives for their employees to be more active. The bottom line is that fit employees are healthier employees who use less sick days and less health insurance. This keeps costs lower and benefits everyone. Employers can be instrumental in supporting their employees in their efforts to get some exercise while they are at work. Here are some ideas about how to workout at work-
- Don't sit your day away-The majority of workers have jobs that require them to sit for extended periods of time. This causes an unhealthy pressure on both the bones and the circulatory system of the person. You can improve your circulation simply by getting up and moving around. It is important to make sure that you are not sitting for more then 1 ½ hours without getting up and going for a walk. If you can't leave your desk then get up, stand at your desk, and do some work. Make it a policy to take phone calls standing up. While these are not considered hardcore cardio exercises all of them will help to burn a few calories and improve your overall health while you are at work.
- Park away from the office-While you may not have time to fit in a full fledged workout before work you can gain a few minutes of walking time by parking away from the office and hoofing it. If you take the bus or train get off at a further stop and walk to work. You can get in some brisk cardio, clear out the cobwebs, and burn some calories all before you even get into the office. Some employers are even giving rewards for those workers who are willing to park and walk or for the ultimate fitness test bike to work.
- Take the stairs-You can get a pretty good workout just by walking a few flights of stairs everyday. Best of all, you may find that you no longer have the aggravation of waiting for the elevator with everyone else. Many employers are encouraging their employees to take the stairs by making stairwells safer and more inviting. They are making sure that they are adequately lighted, painted in bright and sunny colors, and some even have inspiring quotes and artwork to promote a positive environment. Whether you only take the stairwells while you move around at work or focus on them for a lunchtime workout you can gaining a great workout.
- Be creative with your workout-There are number of things that you can do to workout even if you don't make it into the gym during your workday. Creative workers are keeping a set of dumbbells or resistance bands in their desk drawer. Studies show that just 10 minutes a day of resistance exercises is enough to build up muscle strength. Challenge yourself to find time everyday to get these items out and use them in your efforts to improve your fitness even while you are at work. You can find numerous ways to work on your fitness while you are completing your job duties.