A “Snack Size” Office Workout Makes a Big Fitness Difference

Is a tiny office workout enough to make a difference to your fitness? If all you have is five minutes, or even two minutes, is it worth the lost productivity time to get up to move? Surprisingly, these little “snack size” fitness moments can make more of a difference than you may think. Not only can they be helpful with your physical fitness, but with your mental health and work productivity and enjoyment, too.

A tiny little snack size office workout may not seem like it’s enough to do anything, but it can. Certainly, it’s not all the exercise you should get in a day, but every little bit counts. This is particularly true when your job would otherwise keep you sitting for hours at a time. Sitting for long periods of time is one of the worst things you can do for your health. Breaking that up with even the shortest workouts is definitely better than nothing.

Companies are Starting to Encourage an Office Workout

Businesses that once tried to tether people to their desks at all times are finally starting to see the light. Encouraging an office workout is actually helping their employees to get more done than they would without the break. It sounds counter-intuitive. After all, if you’re taking a break to exercise, then you’re not working. That said, employees who take these breaks are happier, more energized, healthier and more efficient.

Therefore, workers taking part in an office workout will get more done in less time than workers who stick to their desks and remain sedentary. Moreover, healthier workers require less time off in terms of sick days – both for mental and physical health.

How to Do the Best Office Workout

If you’re doing a very small snack size office workout, then the purpose is to get your blood flowing throughout your body. Cardio will usually serve you best if you’re doing a workout of five minutes or less. Running on the spot, jumping jacks, a brisk walk, burpees and other similar moves will get your heart pumping fast.

A good, quick office workout will use both your upper and lower body, so if you run on the spot, make sure you’re swinging your arms while you do. Most people find that this type of exercise makes them feel better nearly right away. Suddenly, they’re more alert, happier, and ready to take on the next span of time until they get up to exercise again.