12.02.2008

Working Out During Work?

Today, as I was climbing the stairs to a meeting on the 4th floor (I work on the 2nd), I heard someone running up the stairs behind me. At first, I was scared because I thought someone was coming to mug me. Then, I turned around and saw a woman jogging up the stairs in her work clothes with running shoes on.

As I moved to get out of her way, she said, "Just getting in my afternoon stairs workout!"

I called back, "Good for you!"

It got me thinking that while I may walk the stairs instead of taking the elevator to get a little extra exercise at work - there are some people doing much more during the work day! I also wondered if she had sweat glands because I know I would be a complete mess running stairs in my work clothes.

But, while the smokers are out taking their "smoke break", I could take a "workout break" and walk the stairs, do some lunges, or get in some weight training at my desk.

I did a quick Google search and came up with these:

5 Ways to Exercise at Work

Office Workout

Exercise May Make You a Better Worker (Breaks for physical activity boost job performance, research finds)

This one made me laugh! And you could own this business!

The Geek-a-CycleTM a computer work/exercise station

So I was wondering - do you guys do any workouts during work? at your desk?

Also, do any of you go to the gym during your lunch break? Now that I belong to Merritt - they have a location 5 mins from my office, so I could squeeze in a lunch workout. But it seems like such a pain to get showered and dressed back in my work attire after the workout.

16 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl December 2, 2008 at 6:47 PM  

Very interesting!!

Anonymous December 2, 2008 at 6:51 PM  

That is a wondering of mine- I've never had an office job, but I would also be a shweaty mess! I know people also do long walks or something less stress-inducing.

Erica December 2, 2008 at 6:54 PM  

I prefer to go either after or before work! I am a hot mess after working out and would require some form of a shower! Just seems to make more sense to do it before/after! Everyones different though!

MacDuff December 2, 2008 at 6:58 PM  

I go to the gym on my lunch hour. Honestly, I feel like it's the best time for my own energy levels. And I'm focusing totally on getting the most out of my workout.

We also have these chairs that are also bouncy balls, so we get ab workouts all day long. It's hard to get used to, but it keeps me focused. They're not expensive - definitely cheaper than office chairs. And so cool.

Anonymous December 2, 2008 at 7:37 PM  

Haha that's funny...We think it's totally "normal" for people to take smoke breaks, but it seems odd for a workout break. I mean I would be a total hot mess if i worked out and didn't shower, but a nice brisk walk around the building could never hurt!

Anonymous December 2, 2008 at 10:06 PM  

I'm a PT and have a complete gym in my office so I do work out at lunch. I run in the AM in my neighborhood gym and then at work I do weights. If I get too sweaty I have a shower I can use.

Anonymous December 3, 2008 at 7:37 AM  

I go to spin once a week during lunch. Total time away from my desk is about an hour and a half. It is a nice break, but sometimes I don't want to go back to work!

Anonymous December 3, 2008 at 8:20 AM  

Hey girl! That's a tough one ... I would never be able to workout, make myself presentable again, plus eat something all within the designated hour that most companies give for lunch.

I think the stairs idea sounds more ideal + less sweaty.

I've also heard that sitting on a stability ball throughout the work day (instead of a chair) can help give your core a workout ... and you could even sneak in a few sit-ups!! :)

mara December 3, 2008 at 9:37 AM  

honestly lauren, i think that the exercise i get throughout the day makes a huge difference...i always walk fast, everywhere, always take the stairs, (usually two at a time so its like lungeing) and if i have to go back to court after lunch then i can't run because of the presentability issue, but i definitely try to get in a walk during lunch...if i have the time, we have a 3 and 3.8 mile route mapped out for the run or the walk. walking is a serious workout if you go fast...my butt is sore right now from yesterday's! and its so nice to get some air. i get back and do some crunches or lunges in my office. it all works for me!

lauren December 3, 2008 at 9:58 AM  

erica/I am the same - am a complete mess after working out.

macduff/those chairs sound great! I am going to look them up. My co-workers would look at me like I was crazy, but I think it would be cool.

jenngirl/I like the walk around the building idea.

d10/I think I could do it once a week - maybe fridays since I am dressed casual.

Nicole/ want to switch places? I am completely jealous!

runningwithfood/ the stability ball might be cool to try.

mara/ i thought about you when i was writing this! I think walking during lunch would be a great extra workout, but i dont work in the best area, so I would need someone to go with and not sure i have anyone here!

I Run for Fun December 3, 2008 at 12:58 PM  

Lauren, this is a great topic. I used to walk during lunch breaks at my previous workplace and do stretches at my desk. The Geek-A- Cycle is too funny.

tfh December 3, 2008 at 1:40 PM  

I do my lifting during lunch twice a week (because I don't sweat and don't have to shower) and have added in a once per week sweat session-- but yeah, the extra shower is a pain. But so worth not having to go work out after work, or get up early!

Anonymous December 3, 2008 at 1:53 PM  

That's smart! But I'm like Erica, I just want to get it out of the way and move on with my life.

Anonymous December 3, 2008 at 2:25 PM  

I take work out breaks! I walk around the parking lot when I'm bored in the afternoon, that way its not as intense of a work out so I'm not sweaty. I think of it as the same mind set of a smoker's break, I mean they get to spend a few minutes outside for doing something that's going to kill them, why can't we for soemthing that's going to make us strnger? :)

Lori December 3, 2008 at 11:58 PM  

When I was in an office I always took workout breaks usually using bands near my desk. I often walked or jogged on my lunch break. At one point I got coworkers together to do videos at lunch.

I worked for a university off campus and had a membership at the rec center on campus. If I headed there for a meeting I always tried to arrange my schedule to stop at the gym during lunch. Yeah, I was sweaty, but I quickly returned to normal after an hour or so. It was worth getting a quick workout in. :)

Elizabeth December 4, 2008 at 1:23 AM  

Oh la la. I'll check out all this great advice! If I could burn a few more calories at work (like you, without sweating), that would be great! I would have been scared too, by the way...

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