While on a journey to get in shape and become more health-conscious, I was looking for things I could do to become more active whilst working. When you’re working on a computer like myself for most of the day, it’s easy to get stuck sitting in the same spot for hours on end, but this isn’t good for your health on a long-term basis. So, knowing that I needed to move around more than I was, I began looking at things I could do while I worked and came across two options, the standing desk and desk bike, both of which would help me get up and on my feet to switch my position and stretch my body.
What Is a Standing Desk?
If you didn’t already know, a standing desk is an alternative to a traditional desk. How often would you say you get up from your desk when working at home or even in the office? If you’re only getting up once or twice within a six, seven, or even eight-hour period, you’re not moving around nearly enough. Of course, this was a problem for me, too.
We often don’t realise how much more time we spend sitting than walking around and exercising when we’re wrapped up in what we’re doing. For example, if you have a lot of work, you probably don’t have time to leave the home or office to go for a long walk or jog, making it difficult to get the exercise you need to burn calories and improve your health.
One thing that a standing desk does is allow you to change your position. So, you can go from having a seat in front of your laptop to moving it over to the standing desk, where you’ll stand up while working on different tasks. Will it be comfortable at the beginning? No, not necessarily. If you’re not used to standing and typing or completing other tasks, it might feel a bit strange, but you’ll get used to it in no time if you stick with it. Trust me, I know firsthand and often stand at my desk whilst carrying Morgana in a sling due to working at home around family life.
What Is a Desk Bike?
The desk bike is another great product designed to encourage good health and fitness while enabling you to get more work completed. Instead of putting your work off to the side to exercise or putting your exercise off to complete your tasks, you can get everything done simultaneously, which is a significant convenience.
So, how exactly does it work? You’ll have a seat on the bike seat and can put your feet on the pedals while you place your laptop on the desk in front of you. Pedal with your feet to exercise your legs while typing on the computer to complete your assignments. It’s an easy thing you can do without worrying about getting distracted. I have the Yo-Yo desk bike which has 8 resistance levels from light activity to a more robust workout. The bike is suitable for users between the heights of 5’0 and 6’3”. The desktop and the seat can be easily manoeuvred to ensure you find the right height for your work and it means you can also change it if you’d like to use it as a seat rather than a bike for a while.
What I love most about the desk bike is that it’s spacious enough to hold a laptop while allowing me to get things done, but it also lets me burn off calories and strengthen my leg muscles by pedalling for hours on end. It’s the perfect way for anyone working from home or at a desk job in an office to naturally get more exercise without trying to squeeze time in for a quick jog or visit to the gym.
Why These Products Are Good to Use
There are many good reasons to use the standing desk or desk bike, whichever you personally prefer, including:
- Stretch your body while you work – Whether you’re using the standing desk or the bike desk, you can stretch your body and adjust your position instead of sitting in the same place for hours on end.
- Burn more calories than you would from sitting – While our bodies naturally burn some calories, even when we’re sitting, you can burn so much more when you’re standing or cycling with your legs.
- Feel better physically and mentally – The truth is that exercise is good for your mental and physical health. You’ll feel better when you’re exercising at work.
There is a lot to love about these convenient products designed to promote good health and wellness for those in the workplace. If you’re interested in being more active despite working a desk job or spending hours on a computer, this is a great way to switch things up and increase movements throughout the day