Do You Sit At Work All Day? Here’s How Pilates Can Help

Sitting all day in front of your computer is never something you want to do, but for some of us, it’s not really an option. Our job requires us to park ourselves at our desk and get stuff done.

 

So, if that’s you, then you are going to love what we are sharing today. Pilates is a great way to reverse that damage you’re doing by sitting at your desk, and in a safe, healthy, and highly effective way. 

 

Why Sitting All Day is Bad For Your Body

According to the Mayo Clinic, “an analysis of 13 studies of sitting time and activity levels found that those who sat for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity had a risk of dying similar to the risks of dying posed by obesity and smoking.”

Sitting for extended periods of time can also lead to:

  • Weight gain
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Varicose veins
  • Back pain
  • And more

 

However, don’t worry too much because there is good news. Mayo Clinic also found that “60 to 75 minutes of moderately intense physical activity a day countered the effects of too much sitting.”

 

How Pilates Can Fix Your Sitting Problems

Many studies have found that Pilates is able to provide improvements in posture, stretching, strengthening and more.

 

Pilates can help to keep your spine aligned, as well as strengthen your back, neck, and shoulders, which is a great way to combat the back pain most people who sit at their desks all day experience. 

 

Additionally, Pilates is an all-star when it comes to strengthening your core, which is integral to the health of your body posture — obviously an important thing when you’re sitting at your desk for 8 hours a day. 

 

Pilates also helps to reduce stress — the mental stress that is caused by work, and the physical stress that is caused by sitting too much.

 

So if you are starting to feel the negative effects of your office job, or if you want to get a jump on the problem, sign up for a Pilates Platinum class today. We guarantee you’ll see a huge difference in your office life.

 

And for those days when you aren’t able to make it to a Pilates Platinum class, here are some Pilates exercises you can do at your desk (or next to your desk) to get some of the same benefits. 

 

Plank Leg Lift

  1. Get into plank position, making sure your form is that with a neutral spine
  2. Lift your right leg straight up to the ceiling — just a few inches
  3. Hold for 30 seconds
  4. Return leg to the ground 
  5. Repeat with your left leg

 

Reclined Twist

  1. Lie on your back
  2. Pull your knees into your chest
  3. Lay your arms on the ground, straight out on each side
  4. Keep your shoulders on the ground while twisting your torso, moving your knees to one side
  5. Hold for 30 seconds 
  6. Repeat on the other side

 

Twist & Shout

  1. Lie on your back with your arms at your sides and both legs pointed up to the ceiling
  2. Squeeze your inner thighs and roll back until you are balancing on your shoulder blades
  3. Slowly roll back down and point your legs to the right
  4. Once your right glute cheek touches the mat, make a circle and move your legs to the left
  5. Repeat at least 5 times, going in a different direction each time

 

Oblique Half Moon

  1. Get into plank position
  2. Dip your torso to the right side
  3. Lift it up and over to the left, in a half moon shape
  4. Repeat back and forth

 

Ready to see the positive effects Pilates can have on your work life?

Sign up for first Pilates Platinum class today.