Staying active can be more of a challenge when you work from home. You have fewer reasons to leave home, so going to the gym might require a special trip. You don’t do as much walking because you’re at home most of the day. Most at home jobs are computer jobs, so you just don’t move much. Here are a few ideas for staying active while working from home.
1. Schedule in time to work out. As a blogger, I make my own schedule and while it provides me the freedom to work when I have time, it also makes it easier to do nothing but work. There is no time to clock in or out, so I often find myself not giving myself enough time away from the computer. I keep a schedule for my blog and blogging related tasks to do. Scheduling in specific amounts of time right into my planner makes me more likely to actually take the time to work out.
2. Use at-home workout options. Unless I pair it with getting groceries or other errands, going to a gym would mean making roughly a 20 minute drive just to get to the gym. It feels like somewhat of a chore, where as getting out a workout DVD or spending time working out at home feels like less of a commitment and increases my likelihood of actually following through. Plus, it’s cheaper!
3. Sneak in quick exercises throughout the day. While it’s ideal to get your heart rate up for longer periods while exercising, doing quick bursts of exercise is better than nothing at all. Commit to doing a few reps of push ups, curl ups, jumping jacks, etc each time you refill your water bottle, let your dogs outside or make a meal.
4. If you have dogs, take them for walks. My dogs have made it a lot easier for me to work in exercise because it doesn’t feel like it’s just for me. Instead of letting them out to go potty, once a day I try to take them on a walk instead. This gets us both exercise and once home, my dogs are more relaxed which is a nice bonus.
5. Exercise while you work. I recently discovered the Carex Pedal Exerciser (available on Amazon) which can be used while you’re working. It slips in under your desk so that you can pedal away while checking email, blogging, or surfing Facebook. I’ve found that I actually forget that I’m pedaling sometimes which makes the exercise more enjoyable. I love that I can use it from almost any chair. I did find that it feels funny to use from my couch because I am not high enough but it’s perfect for my computer chair (and I would imagine most any office chair as well). It also works great from my dining room chair height. When used from lower heights, your legs just have to extend further out which makes it feel strange to pedal. It has a knob in the center that you can twist to increase the increase or decrease the resistance. I’ve found that having the resistance high is best for long-term use while working because if it’s too loose, I cycle too quickly and it lifts up off the floor a little. There are rubber stoppers on each of the legs to help hold the Pedal Exerciser in place, to avoid it sliding across the floor. I love how I forget that I am pedaling because I am busy working, yet I can really feel how much work my legs have done afterwards because they are exhausted. It could also be used in away-from-home office jobs. For those who might struggle with balance, or who aren’t very mobile, it’s a perfect exercise option that they can safely do from a chair or bed.
Hi there! I am Emily Evert, the owner of Emily Reviews. I am 28 and live in a small town in Michigan with my boyfriend Ryan and our two pugs. I have a large family and I adore my nieces and nephews. I love reading memoirs, and learning about child development and psychology. I love watching The Game of Thrones, Teen Mom, Sister Wives and Veep. I like listening to Jason Isbell, John Prine, and other alt-country or Americana music. I created Emily Reviews as a creative outlet to share my life and the products that I love with others.
I like your pedal exerciser. I need one of those! I’m taking away your tip of sneaking in quick exercises during the day – (even if I do my regular workout) – every little bit helps! And I agree with all the other posters….I need to get off my butt more and let the computer rest more lol
I have all my exercise equipment in my living room, since it’s a small apt. I love my Schwinn stationary bike but also do lots of yoga for my spine and lower back. I think these pedal exercisers could help a lot of people, especially elderly, who have balance problems.
Mary Jo
Deb E
I am home a lot so these are great ideas to stay active. As soon as this baby comes out, I am all for getting back in shape!