'Deskercise': Easy Ways to Exercise from Your Chair
Jim Gregory has always loved working with bicycles. He used to deliver things by bicycle, traveling a long way each day.
Now he still spends a lot of time with his feet on pedals, but he doesn't go anywhere.
That's because some years ago, Gregory invented something called PedalPC. It's a computer that's powered by pedals. He sits in his chair and uses the pedals under his desk to power his computer.
He's found a way of staying fit while working from his desk.
But there are other ways to get some exercise without leaving your chair — it's sometimes known as "deskercise."
One example is the leg lift. Keep the blood moving through your legs by sitting up straight and lifting your legs off the floor together. Move them slowly then lower them back down. This will also help make your leg muscles stronger.
Sitting for a long time can be bad for your back. To help with this, sit up straight and squeeze your shoulder blades together, holding the squeeze for a few seconds. This can help your posture.
If you have a little more freedom at your work desk, you could try some chair dips — but be careful with this one. Put your hands at the edge of a chair — if it doesn't have wheels — and lower your body down by bending your elbows. Then push back up.
If you have some books nearby you could do your own weightlifting!
The US National Center for Health calls this "Raise the Roof." Take a book in each hand and hold them with your palms up.
Raise your hands up and then bring them back down so that your elbows are next to your shoulders. And just like with real weights, make sure you hold onto those books!
