{"id":4543,"date":"2021-02-02T09:12:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T15:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/?p=4543"},"modified":"2021-02-01T10:47:19","modified_gmt":"2021-02-01T16:47:19","slug":"7-simple-wfh-exercises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/2021\/02\/7-simple-wfh-exercises\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Simple WFH Exercises"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>HIIT training, Crossfit, and other workouts have become really popular. But they&#8217;re not for everyone. It can feel discouraging to even get started because these exercises feel like a big production. I can say for myself, all my workout clothes are gathering dust in the closet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news is that all this working from home we&#8217;ve all been doing has helped show how a simple walk can be very beneficial for your health. I sometimes don&#8217;t free up my time or mental space until after 4PM. Living so far on the East coast, that means a walk at that time will be when the sun is starting to set. And walking in the dark is still effective but not as enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But lately, I&#8217;ve come to realize there are simple stretches and exercises I can do at home that don&#8217;t require any special equipment, but are still really helpful \u2014 especially after sitting at a computer for a few hours. Working from home means I can easily do these at any time of the day without feeling embarrassed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s a list of 7 exercises that pretty much anyone can do at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2>Basic Exercises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These basic exercises are very simple. Easy to do at anytime and could do them more than once per day if desired. I do them whenever I need a quick break or with the other exercises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Arm Circles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Arm Circles (Lv 1)\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/140RTNMciH8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Simple arm circles, forward and back, to help keep your arms toned and joints moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Air Cycles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Air cycling\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oyXoWU8j310?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption>Air cycles help keep hip joints flexible and can give a little stretch in the hamstrings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I really enjoy these. I find when I do them, my hips sort of &#8220;reset&#8221; after a few cycles. I also like to do really wide cycles, and this helps me get a little stretch in my hamstrings (back of the legs) after sitting for a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Cat Camel Stretch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to do a Cat-Camel Stretch (5 Steps)\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v1KltmDT8TE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I really love this one. I confess that I don&#8217;t always have the best posture while sitting at my desk. This one helps make sure my lumbar spine gets a good flex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Wrist Stretches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"877\" height=\"468\" src=\"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/kadeefit.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4545\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/kadeefit.png 877w, https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/kadeefit-300x160.png 300w, https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/kadeefit-768x410.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption>&#8220;Wrist Love&#8221; exercise: <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CIyy465HtbZ\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by KADEEFIT Launching 2021 (@kadeefit)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, I couldn&#8217;t embed the actual video, so I just took a screenshot for part of this exercise. As you can read by the caption, this is helpful for people who spend a lot of time on a phone or computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I first saw this exercise guru mentioned on Reese Witherspoon&#8217;s Instagram, while she was demonstrating what looked like a pretty easy exercise. So I checked her out for other tips. She&#8217;s the one who gave me the idea to do arm circles! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To watch her Wrist Love video, click the link in caption or below: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CIyy465HtbZ\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CIyy465HtbZ<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-container-4 wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-container-3 wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-container-2 wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-container-1 wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2>Advanced<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As you&#8217;ll see, advanced is a bit of a stretch. But it is possible to accidentally overstrain a muscle or joint doing these, so some extra care is necessary. I usually only do these exercises once per day. And these might require a door frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Neck Stretches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Take it easy with neck stretches. Neck circles, going in a full circle around, are actually considered outdated and dangerous because the movement combines stretching and movement. Doing just one stretch keeps them safe. But also don&#8217;t strain yourself if you&#8217;re feeling tight. And probably not a good idea to do these too much in a single day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"540\" height=\"323\" src=\"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/neck.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/neck.png 540w, https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/neck-300x179.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 85vw, 540px\" \/><figcaption><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spine-health.com\/video\/4-easy-stretches-neck-and-shoulder-pain-video\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4 Easy Stretches for Neck and Shoulder Pain Video,<\/a><\/strong> by Veritas Health. <br \/>Levator Scapula Stretch is my favorite!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I again couldn&#8217;t embed the video (only 1 min), so again here is a screenshot. There are 4 stretches in this video and the one in the screenshot is my favorite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Leg Lifts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Do a Standing Leg Lift | Thighs Workout\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8kr91qSn3OM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I typically do these at the end of the day. My routine is 10 front, side, and back, before switching legs. Just like a dance class. I like to stand in the doorway to my bathroom because there&#8217;s a step of about 1&#8243; giving my moving leg some clearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Standing in the doorway also allows me to brace myself with my arms against the door frame. This helps me to keep my torso upright and my chest open, so I&#8217;m not hunching my shoulders or leaning too far forward, especially while doing the lifts to the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I do these, I&#8217;m not trying to get my legs up high. I&#8217;m just focused on getting them moving in different directions in order to use different muscles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-container-5 wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3>Correcting Poor Posture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While searching for one of the earlier exercises, I came across this video for the upper shoulder area to help correct poor posture. I might throw this one in, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Quick 4-minute fix for Neck Hump\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/T43753AfaKY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>So these are a few simple stretches and exercises to do at the end of the day, or even throughout the day, to keep your joints mobile and active. To summarize:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Arm circles<\/li><li>Air cycles<\/li><li>Cat-Camel stretch<\/li><li>Wrist exercises<\/li><li>Posture corrections<\/li><li>Neck stretches<\/li><li>Leg lifts<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Easy to do in 15-20 minutes or as needed, throughout the day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Even the most dedicated couch potato can get use out of these exercises.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[643,644],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4543"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4543"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4543\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4569,"href":"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4543\/revisions\/4569"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alliwalk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}