The journey to work starts the moment you step out of bed. I’m not going to tell you to do a 5-10 min “wake up” workout. I know that is a not a sustainable practice for most people who work full time. It is a far better idea to begin with small activities that will produce incremental gains.
Once you have incorporated these six fitness exercises into your daily work schedule, then you can concentrate on making substantial and long-lasting improvement!
1) Active Teeth Brushing
It may sound strange, but the time you spend brushing your teeth in the morning and evening could be used simultaneously to help you warm up and cool down during the day.
If you spend two minutes brushing your teeth, that means you are standing over the sink for a whole two minutes when you could start activating and mobilize your body. Side/kick back is a great way to activate your glutes and increase circulation in your lower body. Add a few squats and lunges and you will feel a massive difference. It is surprising how such brief exercise can get you energized for the day.
2) Skip One Bus Stop
When I arrived in London I was shocked to find how many bus stops you have here! It prevents you from walking. Getting off one stop early and walking the rest of the distance is going to be very beneficial. Movement promotes healthy living.
Often the next bus stop may only be a few hundred metres away. Trust me, it is worth walking those extra steps. After a couple of weeks these steps accumulate and without realizing you’ve covered miles and miles more than you would have if you had got the bus right to your door.
Skipping one bus stop is the way to go!
3) Take the Stairs
Another great way to train your legs without making your working day any longer is to use stairs. Instead of using escalators or elevators I try to quickly climb stairs, it is often a faster way to get around tube and train stations. Climbing stairs works your core muscles, thighs and glutes.
It is a great exercise to tone your bum and you can do it daily with no gym membership needed!
4) Ride Your Bike to Work
Save money and get fit at the same time. Commuting around big cities can be a nightmare and sometimes you can get stuck and packed into a bus or train. Start riding a bike to work or at least try and ride halfway.
There is no excuse anymore either! I have noticed that more and more, public bikes are available on practically every other street corner in London. It means you do not have to even buy a bike or worry about storage. The health benefits are limitless!
5) Stand
Standing on the way to work on the bus or train is going to make you more secure in your body and strengthen your muscles. If standing for 20-30 minutes is tiring, you need to take a closer look at your physical health. When you stand in public transport you can’t do any elaborate squats or do kick backs but you can activate your glutes and your thighs.
Connect with your body, contract and release your muscles, feel that extra blood circulation.
6) Get a Foldable Commuting Scooter
If owning a bike creates storage issues getting a foldable commuting scooter can be a great solution. It makes you move and it’s a great way to get more active on the way to work. If you don’t have time to get off one stop earlier and walk, a scooter can get you where you need to go much faster. It is easy to carry on the train or a bus and when you get to work you can store it under your desk.
Get Started Today!
Hopefully with a bit of hard work you can kickstart your journey towards being fit and active. Making these small changes can have a big impact and may be the foundation from which you can launch yourself into a healthier and more active lifestyle.