Staying Fit Even When You Sit

According to one study, most Americans sit for more than nine hours per day. Some studies claim that in terms of overall health and wellness, this sedentary lifestyle is actually more dangerous for us than smoking cigarettes.

Some people don’t have a choice, however. They might be a senior or other person with limited mobility, which makes getting up out of their chair, or even wheelchair, or scooter, difficult. Some people might have had an accident and broken a leg or ankle, and are forced to sit for long periods of time until the break heals. Some people are not able to stand at all, but the good news is they can still work out while sitting.

As with many things in life, it is a case of use it or lose it. Stiffness and pain will only increase if people remain in the same position for hours on end, then try to move in order to exercise. It is possible to maintain strength and flexibility regardless of age provided you choose the right exercises. It’s even possible to lose weight if you make smart choices when developing your own workout routines.

Seated Workouts

Seated workouts will vary depending on where you are sitting, the type of chair or seat you are using, and whether or not you are disabled or lack strength in your legs. If you have trouble standing up and walking on your own, or are usually in a wheelchair, for example, it is still possible to get a good workout, but you need to plan ahead as to what exercises and equipment you will use.

Getting Toned and Trim

Seated workouts won’t improve every part of your body, but they can do wonders for your upper body and core muscles. The core muscles support everything you do when sitting, and can therefore help you maintain good posture and a pain-free back.

You can do your workout movements such as upper body calisthenics, on their own, or add light weights or resistance bands to boost your results.

Choosing the Right Equipment

You don’t have to have a lot of fancy equipment. Some cans from your pantry, or bottles of water, can serve as light hand weights you can use at your desk, while sitting on the sofa, and so on.

You could also invest in a set of hand weights such as Aquabells. You add water to the little plastic reservoirs to increase the weight of the barbells. Each weight can hold a total of 16 pounds. They are useful too because you can take them anywhere. Just remove the water and pack them flat to take wherever you go.

Another good option for seated workouts is a set of resistance bands. These offer similar weights to light weights though your stretching dense rubber bands. They usually come in a set of several bands of different weights. Using 1 band might be 3 pounds of resistance. Using all the bands in a kit might give you a total of 75 pounds.

You can get a good work out sitting down. It’s just a case of learning more so you can choose the right routines for you.