Are you sitting comfortably?
As developers we spend a lot of time at our desks, and since we heard that ‘sitting is the new smoking’, here at Mayden Academy we’ve been giving some thought to how we can become more active.
We’ve teamed up with Bath-based fitness company MoveGB to offer each of our students a free MoveGB Discovery membership, giving them 90 days of unlimited access to gyms, fitness classes and wellness activities at Move GB locations across the area.
And while exercise outside of working hours or during your lunch break is important, it’s not the end of the story. Studies show that staying active throughout a day spent at your desk is crucial.
MoveGB shared with us their top tips for increasing your activity, even if you’re desk-bound…
1. Use a standing desk
Being at a desk doesn’t mean you have to sit! Pop your screen on a riser and try standing while you work to improve both your circulation and your posture. Even a few hours working on your feet rather than sitting down makes a difference.
2. Sit on an exercise ball
Swapping your chair for an exercise ball for a few hours each day will force you to balance, engaging and strengthening your core and helping to improve your posture.
3. Set a timer
Set an alarm to go off every 45 minutes or so, to remind you to get up and move around, even if it’s just to pop to the kitchen for a fresh glass of water.
4. Take walking meetings
Forget meeting rooms and take a walk around the block with your workmates instead. And rather than hopping on Slack to ask a question, take the opportunity to get up and walk to visit coworkers in the same building.
5. Stretch at your desk
Pull a few shoulder raises, neck stretches and leg raises throughout the day at your desk to keep your muscles moving!
As you can see, while a lot of us spend our working days hunched over a desk, it doesn’t have to be that way. Try a few of the tips above and let us know how you get on.
