Never thought that the words “office” and “workout” could go together?
You’d be wrong!
Modern technology has made it so squeezing in a bit of exercise can be done from anywhere, even in your office!
And it comes at a time when we need it most, as well, considering several studies have found our lifestyles of sitting down for long periods to have disastrous effects on our health.
Office environments are often small and restrictive, but the tools to get in some extra activity now and again are there if you know where to look, hence the below list: Best office workout equipment, especially for small spaces, and even apartments!
Under-Desk Elliptical
The miniature, or, under-desk elliptical, was designed with convenience and effectiveness in mind, as being small, portable, and able to be used right from underneath your desk makes it some of the best equipment office workout equipment and getting in some extra activity, which is often a difficult feat to accomplish in the modern workday.
It’s quiet, non-distracting, and unobtrusive nature means you can peddle away from the day’s frustrations and general boredom and prevent strain from you locked up joints.
What’s more, is that they burn more calories than one would expect, often in the 100 to 300 range, depending on duration and intensity, of course, but that is not too shabby for a day you would spend entirely sedentary otherwise!
Sure it won’t get you ripped thighs, hamstrings, and glutes, but an effective way to literally and figuratively stretch your legs that you would spend hunched over your desk should be a welcomed change.
I honestly feel offices would be doing themselves a service to provide these for employees, as I would be surprised if productivity did not see an increase from it, considering the lessened strain and stress-busting effects of using the machine.
But, as it stands, companies do whatever they feel is the “cheapest” option, so employees are left to take care of their own needs.
So how does it stack up, and is it a worthwhile investment?
Costs:
Under desk cycles and ellipticals generally range anywhere from 100 to 400 dollars, so more features and extra add-ons will net a higher price tag, so best to buy a device that has what you need, and none of what you don’t.
Pros:
- The extra activity where sedentary is the norm, and even a little exercise counts, as just 30 minutes on average of light cardio can improve sleep, lessen stress, and offer an energy boost
- The small and compact size makes setting it up and using it a breeze
- Many designs are fairly quiet, as to not disturb your co-workers or serve as a distraction
- Cognition and memory improvement is also a benefit, as research, per one German study, has shown that those who had been exercising while reviewing vocabulary lists had better recall than those who did not
- It’s been a hot topic in recent years that office temperatures are often set too low for employees, and that women are disproportionally affected by this, but exercise helps keep the body warm, so I can see how using this over a blanket or a sweater would be beneficial
Cons:
- Might be heavier than one would like
- Can be awkward to use and set up initially, may take some getting used to
- Can be considered somewhat pricy
Free Standing Punching Bag
This one may be better suited to the home office, as I am not sure your co-workers would appreciate having to see and hear you go to town on and vent your frustrations on the bag right in their vicinity, probably with them in mind!
Either way, the free-standing punching bag is among the best office workout equipment.
Freestanding bags are lighter and positioned on the floor, unlike the often heavier hanging bags that are strung up to the ceiling or a sturdy object, making them easier to install and generally use, with a lower risk of injury.
Due to their smaller size, they are more portable, easier on your knuckles and joints to use, and take up far less space in comparison to the traditional punching bags.
Generally, all the assembly that is needed is to connect the stand to the base after filling it with either water or sand and then placing the bag onto the floor, so it doesn’t get much easier than that, and the equipment in this list is mainly centered towards convenience.
So how does it stack up, and what are it’s benefits and drawbacks?
Costs:
Typically anywhere from 100 to 400 dollars, so a bit pricy, but the convenience and ease of use is something that has to be considered to decide if this bag is the right choice for your situation.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Takes up minimal floor space
- Lower risk of injury in comparison to other bags
- Less hard and impactful on the knuckles to use
- More comfortable to use for longer sessions and duration
Cons:
- It’s lighter weight and being positioned on the floor makes it easier to topple over than a hanging bag
- Fewer varieties and choices to choose from than hanging bags because free-standing ones have not been on the market for as long
- Not as durable as hanging bags
- Not as many exercise options, such as kicking or using stronger force, given the bag’s lack of stability
Balance Ball Chair
The balance ball chair is one of the stranger pieces of office workout equipment, but still an option worth considering for some.
Although called by many names, such as the yoga ball chair, the balance chair is a newer invention in the step to change how exactly we sit and just how often we do as a whole, having the user sit on a giant yoga ball as the seat, which encourages better spinal support and alignment if used correctly.
The effort to stay in a balanced position while using the chair also supports the building of core muscle strength and keeping the user from slumping or slouching, potentially lessening the back pain, strain, and other issues that come from sitting for many hours a day improperly.
The keyword to remember here is “properly” as it’s very easy to misuse the chair and still end up slumping in a bad position for your back, in particular, the lower portion, thus exacerbating existing issues.
While the balance ball chair has some benefits and is fun to use, it’s best not to entirely swap out your office chair to substitute it any time soon. It’s best used in conjunction with a regular chair to offer some variety and change your bad sitting habits, as well as to not strain and overwork the muscles in your back, which will be outlined below.
Costs:
Anywhere from 50 to 250 dollars, general design and features dictate higher or lower costs, but given how easy they are to misuse, I would err on the side of caution and spend a bit more on them if deciding to buy one.
Pros:
- Better spinal and back alignment
- Enjoyable and fun to use
- May benefit in giving you more energy, as it keeps you in a state of motion, and more motion often is associated with higher and potentially improved energy levels
- Higher core strength
- Less damage and strain on the body associated with staying in the same position for too long, given the instability of the chair
Cons:
- Easy to misuse, mainly by sitting in the wrong position or using for too long, such as more than two hours at a time, which will worsen back pain
- Puts you in an odd position that may not accommodate your other furniture, such as most desks, leading to having to purchase alternative desks to switch in when using the ball, not ideal
- Can be unstable, rolling away if the floor isn’t exactly level, which many aren’t
In general, this chair is probably best used to add variety to your office routine, and not as your consistent mainstay best office workout equipment.
Balance Boards
Balance boards are a good choice for office workout equipment, given how easy they are to use, install, and offering variety to your stagnant routine.
They keep you active by creating instability for your feet and lower body, keeping you engaged to help stay stable, similar to the yoga ball chair, but for the lower body rather than the abdominal.
Many types of balance boards exist, such as office, roller, and desk balance boards, but are roughly used the same way and generally to the same effect.
They’re great for improved posture, coordination, and general productivity due to being kept more aware and alert, with fewer of the negatives that come with balance chairs.
Here’s how they stack up!
Costs:
In the range of 20 to 500 dollars, more features and extras and design choices raising the price, but your needs might or might not be simpler, so better to look into them and their traits to best choose the right one for the individual circumstance.
Pros:
- Better posture
- Heightened awareness and feeling more alert
- Lessens stagnation
- Fun to use
- Lessens back pain if caused by poor posture
- A form of low impact balance training
Cons:
- Potential risk of injury from falls, especially with types that are more difficult to master, such as boards with a spring
- Not for extended use, but for short bursts and sessions
In summary, each of the options on this list may not be the best tools for fitness and muscle building, but, for small spaces and restrictive office environments, they are among the best office workout equipment, and definitely worthy of consideration to see if they’ll fit your individual situation.
I hope these have given you choices to think about and offer more benefits in the way of productivity, and better health from less of a stagnant lifestyle, so please leave a comment below if this list has given you some food for thought.
Thank you for reading, and best wishes on your health and fitness journey!
