Originally published on marketwatch.com
David Reagan, an Atlanta-based certified personal trainer, discusses some easy ways to keep moving while you are home as the workforce adjusts to a remote environment.
While many tout the benefits of working from home - no traffic jams, sleeping in, and taking calls from the comfort of your sofa, these benefits can quickly be shadowed by a lack of movement throughout the day. During a workday in the pre-pandemic days, people could easily get their steps in by walking to a breakroom for coffee, moving about the office, or going for a walk on their lunch break. At home, people can lose track of time and find themselves sitting on the couch all day before they even realize it.
David Reagan, Atlanta-based fitness coach and certified trainer shares some of the advice he's given his clients as they adjust their routines to staying at home.
It can be easy to get lost in a mountain of email or hunker down for a lengthy project, but it is essential to remember to move throughout the day. One easy way to break up the monotony is to set a timer as a reminder to get up and move every hour. When that timer goes off, take a break, go for a walk around the house, grab a glass of water, or step outside for a few minutes of sunshine.
Find ways to get extra movement throughout the day. If you are on a long conference call, consider walking around the room or house for a few minutes while listening in. Set little tasks or reminders to grab items from around the house throughout the day.
Another critical tip David Reagan suggests is to schedule a workout into your daily calendar. Working from home has given people additional time in their day that they wouldn't typically have. Consider taking that time to set a recurring calendar block for a workout. Having exercise built into your day gives you no excuses to avoid staying active.
Many people try to make the excuse that they don't have the equipment they need at home to help them stay active. However, there are many apps or videos available through mobile devices, the Internet, or your desktop that provide content that can keep you moving with little to no equipment required. You can get creative and even switch that remote happy hour to a remote workout group with a couple of work colleagues or friends at the end of the day.
Lastly, many exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home without any equipment. You can fit in a few rounds of pushups, sit-ups, or jumping jacks between meetings to get the blood pumping. If you don't have weights, household items like a jug of laundry detergent, a can of soup, or a water bottle can be used when you take those necessary breaks from your workflow.
About David Reagan
David Reagan is a NASM Certified personal trainer from Atlanta, GA, specializing in weight loss, personalized workout plans, bodybuilding, and nutrition. He caters to high-end clients and executives, helping them achieve their fitness goals by accommodating their busy schedules. The client's needs come first, and David's fitness plan will set you up on the path to success.