5 Minute Workout

It’s difficult to find the time to workout during the day, especially if you sit at a desk all day. Commuting on the train or driving to work eats up time, too. After work you may have to shuttle the kids to and from after school activities, cook dinner and then clean up. When can a busy person find the time to work out for 30 minutes every day? You can get your full 30 minutes of exercise every day in 5 minute increments. Once each hour, take 5 minutes to do some exercises at your desk. You don’t need equipment, gym clothes or running shoes to do these exercises. Do each exercise for 1 minute. Repeat the routine every 1 1/2 hours throughout the day until you have completed 30 minutes of exercise. 

First, do some squats right at your desk. Stand up straight with your feet about hip-width apart and your arms at your sides. Drop your shoulders and squeeze your abdominal muscles. Lower your body by bending your knees. Simultaneously bring your arms around to the front of your body and hold them straight out as you lower your bottom to your chair seat. Do not put any weight on your bottom, but merely touch the chair seat and then stand up straight again as you bring your arms back to your sides. Repeat the squat for 1 minute to work your core, shoulders, chest and legs.

You can perform crunches right at your desk while sitting down. Sit up tall in your chair behind your desk and place your hands behind your head. Brace your abdominal muscles and bend forward toward your desk. Bend forward until you feel the stretch in your shoulders and abs, then return to the upright position. The desk crunches will work your abs, shoulders and core muscles.  

The next exercise works your arms, shoulders, core, back and chest muscles. Sit in a chair that has arms but does not have wheels. Sit up straight in the chair and rest your feet flat on the floor. Grasp the arms of the chair and lift your upper body off the chair. Lower your body back down but do not rest your weight on the seat of the chair. Repeatedly lift and lower your body using only your arms. 

Slide your chair back from your desk to do one minute of twisting crunches. Place your hands behind your head and sit up tall in your chair. Squeeze your abdominal muscles and then bend forward bringing your left elbow toward your right knee. Lift your right knee toward your left elbow at the same time. Repeat on the other side by bringing your right elbow and left knee toward each other. 

Finish your 5 minute workout by doing some stretches. Sit up tall in your chair and place your hands behind your lead. Interlace your fingers. Lift your arms straight up over your head with your palms toward the ceiling. Stretch your body up as tall as possible. Place your hands behind your head and twist to the right and then back to the center. Stretch to the left and then back to the center. Relax your arms on your thighs and turn your head to the left toward your left shoulder. Next, turn your head toward the right. 

You can do these 5 exercises every day to keep your body strong and increase your energy throughout the day.