Get Fit Quick Tip:

Shoulder Stretch

Tight shoulders from sitting at your desk? Do this stretch every few hours. Reach your right arm straight up overhead. Keeping your torso upright, bend your right elbow and reach your right hand toward your upper back. Hold for 10-30 seconds, or 3 deep breaths. Release. Repeat reach your left arm straight up overhead.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Feel-Good Shoulder Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Ease neck tension with this simple stretch!

Sitting at a desk all day? Do this neck and shoulder stretch to ease muscle tension.

Begin by pulling your shoulders down and back. Inhale and drop your right ear toward your right shoulder. Place your left hand on your left shoulder to build awareness of your shoulders being straight and level. Exhale, count to 10. Release the stretch. Repeat by first pulling both shoulders down and back. Next inhale, drop your left ear toward your left shoulder. Place your right hand on your right shoulder. Exhale, count to 10. Release the stretch.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Neck tension slowing you down?

Try these desk exercises the next time you need a pick me up at work:

Chair Squats (Sit to Stand)
Stand shoulder width apart in front of your chair and lower your body down as if you are about to sit back in your chair.  Then press through your heels back up to a standing position. (If your chair has wheels make sure it is against a wall!)

Desk or Chair Dips

While sitting on your chair, place your hands on either side of you-palms facing back. Take a step forward and lift your hips off the chair and slightly forward. Lower your body down by bending at your elbows and push back up to the starting position by extending your elbows.

Desk Push-ups

Place your hands on your desk slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Walk your feet back so you are in a straight line from head to heels.  Lower your chest towards the desk while keeping your back flat, then press up to the starting position.

Wall Sits

Place your back against a wall and take a step forward with both feet. Slowly lower your body down until your knees are at a 90 degree angle (if that is too far, go only as far as you can). Hold this position with your arms relaxed at your sides, or with computer on your lap.

Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahJChicago

How to Exercise at your Desk by Sarah Johnson