I spend a lot of time at my computer playing games that have a turn timer, so I have to wait around after I finish doing whatever I was going to do. I’ve been trying to get up and move a bit more while I’m waiting, but I kind of just move around randomly. There’s no rhyme or reason. Besides it probably not being as effective, without some structure to it I eventually just get bored and go back to sitting. What are some good exercises or stretches that I can do in this situation? Also, somewhat important that it’s nothing too cardio intensive. I don’t really want to get sweaty while I’m gaming.
Duck “Chair yoga poses (or positions)” and find some that look good.
Is Duck referring to internet searching without using Google?
It is. :)
Edit: Also, referring to the DuckDuckGo search engine
I don’t know the name of this pose nor can I find the image, but I have been recommended to do this by my doctor:
- Stand up, and cross your legs by placing your right foot in front of the left.
- Whilst keeping your legs straight, use your left hand to reach the right foot. (No need to touch it, just stretch as far as you can without hurting yourself)
- Repeat with the other leg.
This is great for your back.
I just want to clarify: Am I completely crossing my legs so that the feet have reversed sides? Or by putting one foot in front of the other heel to toe in a line? And if I’m meant to do the full cross, am I touching my right foot or the foot that is now on the right?
Yes, they should be reversed. Not completely horizontally though, somewhere like your left foot at 5 o’clock position and your right foot at 11 o’clock position for step 1. The feet should not touch, and you shouldn’t have trouble keeping both legs completely straight. Once you do step 2, the back of your leg should feel taut.
My physiotherapist gave me these exercises to do during the day.
Repeat these ten times each or for 30 seconds, or as appropriate:
While sitting
- put your hands on the back of your head, push your elbows back as far as they will go
- bend at the waist and touch your toes
- bend your foot at the ankle to point your toes at your knees
- slide your bum back as far as you can in the chair, lean back on the chair
stand up
- bend at the waist and touch your toes
- stand up on your tip-toes
- lift each of your knees as far as they will go
Literally any callisthenics progression. If you are struggling on where to start then check out the hybrid callisthenics site which gives you a basic workout as well as progressions that you can do for each exercise.
In terms of stretching just start doing things to try and increase your flexibility where ever you may need it for example if you can’t touch your toes then maybe start working on that first as that is your most basic that everyone should be able to do easily!
My favorite exercise website, Darebee, has an entire desk workouts collection with 20+ workouts listed. They’re all stretching and mobility exercises, but if you have more time and room you could also take a look at their micro workouts.
You’re sitting with most joints in a flexed position. Sand up and stretch in extension- neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and do some heel raises.
How much time are we really talking about here? You need to stretch first I think, and that eats up time. If you still have enough time after that, look into interval training, else then practice stretching and yoga.
Depends, but both not a lot and a lot. I sometimes spend a lot of the day playing a game, but the amount of time I have per turn is going to vary, but usually it’s going to be like a minute at a time. So something I can do quick, stop, then continue just to fill the time between turns with something more healthy/productive than constantly tabbing over to my browser.
Stretching is worthless. Do actual exercises.
I try to fit back work in using body weight and keep a yoga mat next to my desk.
