Desk Exercises

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Don't Let Your Desk Job Ruin Your Health

So many of us work at a desk for long hours. This is so unnatural to the human body. We're meant to move. Sitting at a desk can cause a great deal of physical stress on the body.

Desk related injuries (the term even sounds funny to me) are on the rise. Problems associated with desk jobs account for the highest number of workers comp claims and the highest workers comp expenses for companies.

Workers can be healthier and companies can save a great deal of money due to reduced health costs, workers comp claims, and lost sick days by instituting desk exercises.

Workers who do use desk exercises have been shown to be far more productive. Keeping the blood flowing helps the brain work. As Zig Zigler once said, "five minutes of exercise will gain you 15 more minutes of productivity".

Many people and companies are realizing the benefits of desk exercise. smart companies are using Break Pal -Fitness at your Desk.

Desk Exercise - Body rotations

In these desk exercises, if done properly you'll strengthen your core muscles. The secret is in holding the back perfectly straight as you do the rotation. You don't want to let your shoulders droop. While holding the back straight you rotate at the hips. As the rotation is in the leaning back position you'll feel the abdominals working. As you lean forward you'll feel the back working. As you lean to each side you'll work the obliques.

One of the typical problems associated with working at a desk too much is a tightening in the hip flexor muscles. This can be a chronic problem for desk workers. This exercise can be helpful in alleviating the problem.

The second part of the exercise will not only strengthen the arms but will build strength in the latisimus dorsi (the lats). Strengthening and working these muscles will also assist in straightening the back and help alleviate upper back problems.

This exercise is a part of the Break Pal - fitness at your desk program.
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Desk Exercises - Chi Kung Breathing

Chi Kung is the healing aspect of martial arts training. When a martial artist practices hard chi kung the muscles get sore and are in need of healing. Soft chi kung is the answer.

Whether the chi kung is practiced as a part of a martial art or simply as a healing exercise it is beneficial for all. Chi kung gets the lungs working, drawing the oxygen deep into the lungs and fully oxygenating the bloodstream.

The breathing motions of chi kung activate the diaphragm and in so doing it is able to massage the internal organs. This stimulates proper function of the internal organs.

Chi kung is considered to be the true fountain of youth.

Shifu Liz uses simple chi kung exercises that you can do at your desk. Enjoy Chi Kung at your desk and stay young forever.

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Desk Exercise - Ram's Head Punches from Office Chair

Feeling a bit aggressive today. This desk exercise will help you out. Shifu Liz demonstrates proper punching technique and leads you through a great punching workout right at your desk.
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Desk Exercise - Sitting choke

For those days when you just feel like choking somebody.

While this desk exercise may be a little tongue in cheek, it's actually a really good one and for many may be necessary.

One of the most common computer related injuries is Carpal tunnel syndrome. With the hands remaining in the same positions throughout the day lactic acid can build up. Without this acid being removed by the bloodstream it can begin to deteriorate tissues. This tissue damage can often result in carpal tunnel disease.

The simulating choking motion of this exercise stimulates blood flow in the affected areas and rids the wrists of the lactic acid buildup.

and visualizing your boss in your tight little grip might just relieve some stress anyway.
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Desk Exercises - Sitting Pull Twist

It's hard to get a good cardio vascular workout while sitting in a chair. But this exercise will get your heart pumping. You'll be amazed at the workout you'll get without even getting up from your chair.
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Break pal Blog entries

Liz Weaver of Break pal blogs about everything office exercise related.

Liz Weaver is a fitness expert, fitness trainer, and black belt in Shou' shu' Kung Fu, one of the most difficult forms of kung fu. The has her own exercise video Cardio Karaticise which is a shou shu kung fu based low impact workout. She teaches kung fu with her husband at the Sheng Chi Training Center
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Break Pal

So what could possibly be better than knowing all these great desk exercises?

1) Being reminded to do them.

2) Having a community that'll watch out for you and encourage you to do them.

Interested in that?

Check out Break Pal. There's a free trial.

You might also like the Break Pal facebook fan page

Are you embarrassed to work out at work

If your coworkers make fun of you for exercising at work show them this video. Maybe they'll get the point.
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Office Workout Links

My Page on Multiply
Multiply is a web 2.0 social networking site
Office Workout Research
Researching the cost benefits of office workout programs for employers
Office exercise images at Flickr
Creative pictures of office exercises
Viddler Office Exercise Videos
Shifu Liz videos of her office exercises
Break Pal Press release- Web 2.0 workout - fitness at your desk
Press release about Break pal
Home Entrepreneurs need Power Breaks
Don't get to fixated on your computer. Use power breaks to stay fresh
PDF for presenting Break pal to businesses
If your interesed in helping sell Break Pal to businesses this is a quick primer on it. I'd love to pay you a 45% commission
Ezine articles bio
My author bio on ezine articles
Feed of Breakpal reviews
Allt hings breakpal
Exercise Breaks
Squidoo page on exercise breaks
ITWORLD - Don't Become a Couch Potato
ITworld article on exercising at your computer

Blogs about desk exercise

People are talking about the Micro Workout Movement

Even Office Workers Can Exercise
Short blog about office exercise

Desk Exercise Links

Interesting desk exercise info
Power Breaks
Not only do breaks increase productivity but exercise breaks increase it even more. There's nothing better than getting the blood pumping to enhance mental ability and mood. Many years ago Zig Ziglar announced that five minutes of exercise will boost your productivity by 15 minutes. Turns out he was right on. Recent studies have shown that a short exercise break will have a double net return. Five minutes of exercise will get you fifteen minutes of productivity
Workplace Wellness Programs
Many American companies in the past looked upon workplace wellness programs as an extravagant expense. However that idea has been quickly turned around. Recent studies show that workplace wellness programs typically have a return on investment of between three and fifteen dollars per dollar spent. This ROI is typically seen in under eighteen months.

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Shunshifu

Hello,
I'm Shun Shifu Weaver. I teach Shou Shu Kung Fu at my quan, Sheng Chi Kung Fu. My wife and I run the school together.
I also market online and...
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