Maybe you’re waiting at your gate in the airport. Maybe there’s an hour-long line to ride the Brain Scrambler Blitz. Or you’re just killing time. Or stuck in your desk at work. Try these exercises! You can do them almost anywhere. Keep up with them every time you’re waiting for something, and you’ll build a bit of muscle and improve your strength.
Calf lifts. You can do this one sitting up straight or standing, though standing works your muscles better. Make sure both feet are flat on the floor, then slowly lift your heels so that you’re standing on the balls of your feet. Slowly lower yourself down again, with your movements precise and controlled. Do four sets of 10. It’ll work your calf muscles!
Side-to-side lifts. Do this one while seated. Put both feet together on the ground, then slowly lift your feet to the left and right, keeping your knees together, then slowly lowering them back down. Do a few sets of 5 to work your thigh muscles.
Hand strength. We briefly covered this in another article, but this one is great on the go and helps tone the smaller muscles in your hands and fingers. Close your hands into a tight fist, and then open again, spreading your fingers out as far as they’ll go. Then close your fist again, then spread your fingers. Do several sets of five. If you have a stress ball, squeezing it will help! Try passing it from hand to hand as you close and open your fists.
Work those abs. Sitting up straight or standing straight, clench your ab muscles, hold them for five seconds, then release. Do two sets of ten, or more if you can handle it. You’ll definitely feel the burn!
Rubber band stretch. Grab one big rubber band or several thinner rubber bands. Simply use both hands to slowly stretch them laterally, up and down, and frontwards and backwards, about ten times each.
Keep moving. Especially at a desk all day, keep moving to keep your energy up and your circulation flowing. This doesn’t have to be taking a hike around the whole building every 30 minutes. It’s simple as rotating your wrists 10-15 times every hour. Rotating your ankles 10-15 times every hour. Taking a minute to stretch your arms.
The slower and more deliberate your movements are, the more difficult the workout, so the better chance you’ll have of seeing results after repeated use. Remember to drink plenty of water and stretch before working out, and to ask your doctor if you’re unsure about the intensity at which you should be working out.
Dress Up a Plain Suit
