How to Incorporate Fitness into Your Working Day

When it comes to the different ways to exercise at work, there are a number of options. Whether the thought of an early morning gym session is enough to have you running for the hills, or you struggle to motivate yourself for a post-work sweat - we’ve got ideas to help everyone to fit exercise into their working day.

Walk and Talk

If your day is jam-packed full of meetings, then you may be able to take the opportunity to get some steps in. 

Whether you’ve got a one-to-one that could take place outside in the fresh air, or client calls that don’t require a meeting room - going on walks during your calls and meetings is a great way to get a little bit of exercise into your working day and really will make all the difference. 

In fact, according to Harvard Business Review, walking meetings may actually lead to better employee engagement, helping to break down barriers between coworkers and improve relationships at work.

Although it may not be possible to carry out all of your meetings on-foot, just a few walking meetings throughout the week will really contribute towards your overall activity levels.

Don’t Hit Snooze

If the thought of heading to a gym session after work fills you with dread, or prior family commitments make squeezing in a post-office workout nearly impossible, an early morning gym session might just work for you.

We all love an extra five minutes in bed in the morning, but research has found that as many as six in ten people are guilty of snoozing their alarm each day. Aside from the potential health problems that this could cause, snoozing your alarm multiple times in the morning could eat into precious workout time.

If you plan to get some exercise in before your working day begins, then remove the temptation to snooze your alarm by setting it up on the other side of the room. That way, you’ll have to get out of bed in order to turn it off, but once you’re up, you’re more likely to slip into your gym gear and head out for a workout.

Make the Most of Your Commute

If you struggle to fit in exercise during your working week and you’re constantly left wondering how to make time for the gym, then switching up your commute might just help you to incorporate some fitness into your working day.

If your office is close by, then you could brave the elements and head to work on-foot, rather than relying on other forms of transport. Not only has research shown that this could reduce stress levels before you’ve even set foot in your office, but it may also help to improve concentration, making you more productive.

However, if walking - or running - just aren’t viable options, then cycling to work could also offer similar benefits. Whether you ditch your car and ride to the train station for the first leg of your commute, or ride the whole way - it’s a great way to get your heart pumping and make your working day a little more active. 

Additionally, many of our offices have the advantage of bike storage and shower and changing facilities, making the logistics of cycling to work just that little bit easier to manage. 

Utilise Your Lunch Break 

Many people in the UK opt to work through their lunch break, simply grabbing a sandwich or their packed lunch and continuing with their to-do list. However, these 82% of workers are missing out on a golden opportunity to incorporate some form of exercise into their day.

Whether you opt for a half-hour HIIT workout at your coworking space with a gym, head to a local yoga session, or even join a lunch time running club with your colleagues - taking your lunch break and getting in some form of exercise could work wonders for your productivity, stress and fitness levels. 

Every Little Helps

When it comes to finding ways to exercise at work, putting pressure on yourself to complete gruelling early-morning workouts won’t help with your motivation.

Instead, ease the pressure a little and try to get creative - after all, every little helps when it comes to movement and exercise. Some of the best ways to increase your daily activity in the office include:

• Taking the stairs instead of the lift

• Using facilities that are further away from your desk 

• Investing in a standing desk 

• Walking to your colleague’s desk instead of sending an email

Just a few simple steps can help you to incorporate a little extra activity into your working day that really can make all the difference. 

With on-site gyms, exercise classes and training facilities, here at Bruntwood we make it even easier to fit exercise in at work. Get in contact today to find out more about our state-of-the-art facilities and how they could benefit you.