microfit: twitterlike exercise

[Ebinesos]

I'm working in an office environment, a 9 to 5, and am finding it challenging to exercise throughout the day.

Recently (as in today), I've started exercising during my bathroom breaks. So far, I've done three sets of 15 pushups. Its been a positive experiance gets my heart pumping and keeps my motabolism active.

I have a question for the community:
Can you think of any short duration exercises that it would be possible to do in a confined space (barely room for pushups). I can't really do it for long periods of time, but no one will notice me being off my desk for an extra 30 seconds. sitsups are out, I don't want to be laying on the bathroom floor
anything else you can come up with, well thanks

Office slave signing out

[Bleicke]

Squats.

[My Darkest Hour]

You can try doing burpees but I'm not sure you would want to touch the bathroom floor with your hands

[Ebinesos]

I'll try those, thanks

I'm already touching the floor with my hands.

The office I work in is so obese, in general, that I'm trying to manifest health for myself and for those around me.

For those of you into the 13 mon calendar, and chakras, the chakra of the day is the fifth. open speech and communication. so all you out there open up with your ideas, this could be something completely novel we're coming up with.

[funchy]

When I was chained to a 9-5 job, I make sure I took my full lunch break... and I left the building and walked as far as I could in the time allotted. It wasn't just the exercise but a little fresh air and sunlight that did wonders for me.

I also took frequent breaks from my office chair to just get up and walk around the building for any excuse. It wasn't good for me to sit for hours and hours without getting up. While seated you can also be a little active doing likes like foot exercises under your desk.

[Bleicke]

Originally Posted by Ebinesos

I'm trying to manifest health for myself and for those around me.

Try working out instead.

[lovelyn]

If you're working in a building with stairs start climbing them. I used to live in an apartment building on the 12 floor. One day I decided to start using the stairs all the time. It really made a big difference in my health. I climbed those stairs at least 3 times everyday.

[rocksupreme]

Definitely do some squats to work your largest muscles in your legs. If they get easy (eg, you can do 20 without breathing hard), start practicing pistols (one legged squats). You can hold onto something for support at first - your desk, a chair, whatever - and build your balance too.

Pushups aren't a bad choice, but if space is an issue, try rocca pushups. Basically, you're going to put your hands about three feet in front of your feet and bend at the hips, making an upside down 'V' with your body. Then try pushups. Harder than regular, takes a little less space, and really works your shoulders and arms.

Stairs are always good.

Do you have somewhere you can do pullups? Maybe by gripping a rail in the stairwell or something? They may be really difficult at first, but just one, a few times a day, can be a start.

Doing many sets of a couple of exercises throughout the day is a totally viable system. Pavel Tsatsouline calls it "grease the groove," because is facilitates nervous adaptation to a particular movement pattern. You'll build strength in short order if you keep this up.

[Ebinesos]

Thanks for all the positive feedback

I'm going to try for three sets of 15 pushups today (throughout the day) and three sets of 20 squats. Any suggestions on an ab workout throughout the day?

I gotta run, 8.33 and I'm on the clock.

[Ebinesos]

i think the manifesting thing might be working

a women in the office declared she is going to try to eat healthier by not ordering out so often, and eat more fruit.

Go her!

[Ebinesos]

I can feel my appetite changing (I'm hungry more often). I'm starting to embrace the idea of constant fitness. Its not high intensity work outs that i'm doing, but ten slow squats and and some pushups get my heart going. Its not real cardio, but i don't feel like i'm losing two days of life for each day i spend sitting in the office. One for lost health, and the other for the day itself. I've done two sets of workout today, and next week i'm going to up it to four sets a day. This weekend I have an 8 mile hike planned, and my girlfriend has noticed my increased upper body strength.

Heres to health.

[Holiday]

Nicely done!

To add to your arsenal of workplace exercises, any place a desk or countertop makes an 'L', you can do dips...