Office workers spend a lot of time at their desks. It is a medical fact that the hours of idleness day after day have serious consequences on the human metabolic system. Study after study has proven that the less one exercises the worse their health becomes.
Standing by office desks has been heralded as the new savior for the last few years by the media. Unfortunately the actual medical studies show that simply standing by our desks is too little, too late. The negative effects of standing are numerous. Standing for long periods can cause blood to pool in the leg veins, resulting in varicose veins and can lead to more serious circulatory problems. Slouching while standing can cause long term chronic back and rib pain.
So what can the health conscious office worker do about these detrimental practices of standing idle at their desks? Is there something we can do other than just slowly killing ourselves at work? What do??
First, don’t despair! There is another exercise you can do at your desk: hanging!
Hanging is great for the spine, shoulders, elbows and wrists, hanging raises your metabolic rate, hanging strengthens the entire upper body.
Hanging is more active than standing, hanging promotes good posture – you can’t slouch while hanging! Even passive hanging exercises your muscles and cardiovascular system, and the effects of a short hang last much longer.
Some examples of hanging at work:
Now, what do we need to build a hanging desk? We need a rack! Racks are also known as Pullup Stations, Exercise Stands, Power Towers, Power Cages or Squat Racks
Here is the one I prefer:
(amazon link: Cap Barbell Power Rack Exercise Stand )
Advanced users can consider more challenging exercises like gymnastic ring hangs. I prefer these rings:
(amazon link: Gymnastic rings with straps )
You don’t need to hang a lot to get the benefits of hanging. If you hang for only as long as it is comfortable a few times during the day it will still make a difference in your health. Try hanging once every time you step to your desk, and once right before you leave it. It will add up quickly.
Strength benefits will come slowly but steadily. You won’t get sweaty, but you will get buff! Hanging helps with other sports like rowing, rock climbing, gymnactics and many others.
End this year in better health – hang at your desk! Because we all know “Standing is The New Smoking(tm).”
References:
Blomquist, C.G.: Upper extremity exercise testing and training https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3912048
Fardy, P.S.: Benefits of arm exercise in cardiac rehabilitation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27398753
Pendergast, D.R.: Cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic responses to upper body exercise https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2691823
Pimental, N.A.: Physiological responses to prolonged upper-body exercise https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6493015
Portal, Ido: The Hanging Month http://www.idoportal.com/blog/hanging