Comments on: The Desk Jockey Workout: 8 Ways to Stay in Shape at the Office

By: David

David — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:03:54 +0000

Great Post! I’ve been sitting at work a lot lately and feel I’ve been getting lazy so I will definitely give some of these a try. My coworkers might think me a bit crazy for some of them, but its about keeping healthy. Thanks for sharing!

By: Aaron J. Berg

Aaron J. Berg — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:13:28 +0000

I really appreciate this article. I have been making a concerted effort to stand as much as possible when at home and work for over ten years now. I was self employed for 5 of those years and I would use counter space for my computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

When I first tried standing for longer periods ie. 30 minutes I would actually start sweating. That is how out of shape I was getting. I have more energy and feel a lot less tired by trying to stand or be mobile as much as possible.

One warning which I think is important is that I did start getting swelled ankles at first when I started standing for hours at length. Basically, I learned that it is not good to put your weight on just one foot. I would try alternating every half hour or so which foot your placing most of your weight on.

Another way I guess is to stand flat footed with your feet apart so that your weight is balanced on each leg if possible. I have had to get a corporate job now, but I am still able to stand at my desk and get my tasks completed. Also, I have lived in quite a few different places ie. apartments, town home, and a duplex and each time I was able to find some counter space usually in a kitchen for my computer. I’m a shorter male so actually a kitchen counter is almost perfect for me to be able to type and use a mouse.

I would never go back to my old sedentary lifestyle. As a matter of fact I can stand some days nearly 16 hours straight or close to with a few breaks on a chair or couch. I burn more calories and actually lost quite a bit of weight over the years doing this.

By: Brad Jones

Brad Jones — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:59:24 +0000

I didn’t read all of the comments, so forgive me if I am repeating anyone. I recently got a convertible sit/stand workstation that mounts to almost any desk. So far I love it, it came with a hefty bill, but I think it definitely worth looking into for any of you “Desk Jockeys” who want to have to option to stand, but not necessarily all the time. They are available at multiple online stores, but the one I found to be the cheapest was at:

http://www.provantage.com/ergotron-33-341-200~7ERGT0KV.htm

They offer a variety of styles and optional add-ons. . . so far it is awesome.

I was already using the stairs and trying to get up and walk around outside as much as I could, but the standing desk has greatly improved my focus and energy throughout the day.

By: Michael Higgins

Michael Higgins — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 19:41:37 +0000

Yea, I am so far gone that the squats are not possible unless I hold on to something.. and standing more than 30 (really more than 15-20) minutes bothers my back! I guess I could start out just walking up and down the stairs an extra time – anything after that will be extra sweat!

By: Trent

Trent — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:21:39 +0000

Only go out to eat once a week if possible. If you bring your lunch you can eat smaller portions and the food will be much healthier. it’s tough to cook something as unhealthy as restaurant food.

Move all your joints. Rotate your ankles, knees, hips, back, shoulders, wrists, fingers, toes, neck and jaw in all 3 dimensions and full circles depending on the joint. Takes about a minute and can be done before your pushups and squats.

Stretch at Lunch! This is one that cannot be stressed enough. It doesn’t have to be a full yoga cycle. Just take a few minutes and stretch all your muscles. If you’re bringing your lunch you should have plenty of time for this.

Like it said at the top of the article, have thick skin and don’t get embarrassed. A lot of people will give you a good ribbing for any of these habits from this article.

By: richie

richie — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:49:48 +0000

allsome

By: @Dave

@Dave — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 17:03:34 +0000

@Dave, it’s called deodorant and an extra shirt.

By: Jog Freak

Jog Freak — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 01:23:03 +0000

I am really kinda liking what Greg said about flexing his stomach muscles every time he goes through a doorway. Might implement that one myself.

Wanted to mention – there’s a more stealth-friendly alternative to the swiss ball as a replacement for the standard desk chair: the stability cushion. It inflates just like the swiss ball but just sits on top of your chair instead of replacing the chair. It sort of looks like a fat, inflated frisbee. If you google “stability cushion” or “wobble cushion,” you should get a bunch of different options. I tried one for a while, and it seemed to work pretty well. I definitely could feel my muscles getting tired, anyway, so you gotta figure it was doing something.

By: Glen Roys

Glen Roys — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 12:45:33 +0000

Last year my personal trainer challenged me to do 50 push-ups and squats every day at work. I accepted the challenge and have done it pretty religiously since then. It makes me feel a ton better at work.

Don’t know if Mike read the whole article, but there’s convincing evidence that doing a single workout each day doesn’t totally counteract the ill-effects of sitting all day. Expecting anyone who doesn’t have a physical job like being in the military to sit like a stationery lump at their desks all day is unhealthy, unnatural, and unmanly (not to mention just plain stupid!).

By: Anastasia

Anastasia — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 09:23:35 +0000

I’ve really put this article to work for me. (Women can get fat too, we just don’t like to admit it) I wanted to add in my two cents.
I’m luckly enough to have a standing desk, so I’ll spend 30 seconds to a minute standing on the balls of my feet or doing calf raises.
Don’t forget to add in some stretching. Just a few basic toe touches(or as close to your toes as you can get), helps get the blood moving and loosens the muscles you’re working.
Finally, #5. Yeah. Not happening. I can’t do pushups for two reasons. First, Tendonitis in both my wrist, bad enough that push ups would actually make it worse. Second, I have weak little girly arms. My solution is to do push ups against the edge of my desk. I actually get more in, and it’s less strain on my wrists!