Fit Body:

Posture Check!

Do you have a sore neck and sore shoulders at the end of your day?  Check your desk posture! Move your chin back, and sit up straight, so your ears are lined up directly over your shoulders. Lower your chin so it is parallel to the floor. Slide your chair forward so you can reach the keyboard, but still keep your shoulders back so they are over your hips. A key to reducing neck and shoulder soreness while at your desk is to keep your torso straight up and down. Think about puling your shoulders down and back. This may mean moving your monitor and keyboard closer to you on the desk to eliminate the need to lean forward. You’ll know your chair is at the proper height when your forearms are parallel to the floor when using the keyboard. A proper desk and chair position goes a long way to reducing neck and shoulder soreness.

At-Your-Desk Posture Check

Fit Body:

Shoulder Posture Stretch

Stretch Break: Stand up. Raise your right hand straight up overhead and then lower it behind your upper back. At the same time, move your left hand down and behind your back, then up to grasp your right hand. Hold for 3 deep breaths, and then release. Repeat with your left hand up and over, and your right hand down and back.

Stretch Break: Shoulder Posture Stretch

Fit Body:

Lying Tricep Press for Strong Arms

Build strong arm muscles, shoulders and abs with the Lying Tricep Press exercise. Begin lying down. Hold one weight in each hand. Lift the weight over your head, keeping your elbows directly over your shoulders. Next, keeping your upper arms straight up and down, lower the weight to the side of your head about 3-4 inches.  Then keeping your upper arms still, push your arms to straight to complete one rep. Start with 10 reps.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Strong Arms

Fit Body:

At the Office Neck Stretch

Tight neck and upper back muscles contribute to a forward-hunched posture. Take a break from sitting every hour and do this neck, shoulder and upper back stretch. Stand up tall. Inhale and pull your shoulders down and back. Exhale and drop your right ear toward your right shoulder. If comfortable, place your right hand on top of your right ear. Be sure you’re not pulling with your hand, but simply resting your hand. Then release. Next, inhale and pull your shoulders down and back again to set correct posture and alignment, and then exhale dropping your left ear toward your left shoulder.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

At the Office Neck Stretch

Develop a Strong Back and Core

The Opposite Arm Raise exercise requires a strong and stable core. Begin with only one arm completing one motion to learn the exercise. When you’re confident in your form, add the other arm and move simultaneously. Begin without weights. Once you master form, hold a light weight in each hand. Stand with both feet together and your knees slightly bent. Bend forward from your hips, keeping your torso aligned. Bend both arms tucking your elbows into your waist. In one motion, extend your right arm forward and up, and your left arm back and up. Slowly return to your tucked-elbow position to complete one rep. Next, extend your right arm back and up, and your let arm forward and up. Begin with 10 reps total.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Develop a Strong Back and Core

Shoulder Stretch for Posture

If standing shoulders stretches feel uncomfortable, try this seated and supported posture stretch. Begin kneeling on the floor facing a wall. Place both hands on the wall about chest-level. Walk your fingers up the wall, leaning forward until you feel a stretch under your arms and along the side of your torso. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then slowly release.

*Consult your physician before performing stretch.

Supported Posture Stretch

Fit Body:

Seated Row

The Seated Row is an effective exercise to strengthen your upper and middle back muscles. These are essential muscles for maintaining good posture while sitting, standing and lifting. Begin seated with your feet forward and flat. The seat  should be at a level where your hips are slightly higher than your knees, and your feet can rest on the floor comfortably. Next hold a handle in each hand. Pull your shoulders down and back, and your belly button in. Begin by pinching your shoulder blades together, then keeping your torso stable, pull both handles in toward your chest about 6-8 inches. Pause to break momentum, and then slowly return to your starting position with both arms straight.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Seated Row for Better Posture

Fit Body:

Tricep Kickbacks

Strengthen your arms with this tricep exercise. This exercise also strengthens your upper back posture muscles, as well as your core because of working one side of your body at a time. Here’s how:

Begin kneeling with your right knee on a chair. Place your left foot flat on the floor. Hold a weight in your left hand. Place your right hand on the chair so your back is flat. Lift your left arm so it is parallel to your torso and the floor. Bend and extend your elbow. Do 10 reps. Repeat holding the weight in your right hand.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Arms and Core!

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Arm Stretch

If you’ve been sitting at a computer for hours, it’s time for a stretch break. Stand up. Extend your right arm straight out in front of you with your arm parallel to the floor. Curl your fingers down and in. Hold for 10 seconds, then release. Next, extend your left arm straight out in front of you; curl your fingers down and in, then release.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Stretch Break!

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Posture Reset!

Reset your posture after sitting at your desk with this exercise. Lie face down on your stability ball. Pull your torso up slightly to be in line with your legs. Tuck your chin into your chest. Raise both arms up to the side of your body. Rotate your hands to the outside of your body, so your thumbs are facing up. Balance with your legs, and lift both arms up about six inches. Pause for one seconds, and then slowly lower six inches. Start with ten reps.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Posture Reset!