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Printable 15-Minute Desk Workout

Take the Video With You!

-- By Nicole Nichols, Fitness Instructor
This is the printable version of our 15-Minute Desk Workout Video. We recommend that you watch the video (and read its supporting text) before trying this abbreviated version.

Wall Squats
 

15 reps

 

 

Lean your back against a sturdy wall, with your feet planted 1-2 feet in front of you. Bend the knees to squat down and straighten them to push back up.

 

 

Keep the abs engaged, your back straight, and your weight in your heels. Make sure your knees don't go past your toes. 

 

 

Exhale as you stand back up and inhale as you lower down.

 

 












Wall Lunges
 
15 reps

 

 

Step forward with your right leg, placing your left heel up on the wall and the ball of the left foot on the floor. Face forward and bend the knees to lunge straight down, then push back up.

 

 

Don't learn forward. Try to balance your weight evenly between both feet, and keep your toes pointed forward.

 

 

Exhale as you push back up and inhale as you lower down.

 

 

Repeat on opposite leg before moving on to the next exercise.

 

 










Calf Raises
 
15 reps

 

 

Stand tall with feet wider than the hips and toes turned outward.  Hold onto the wall for support. Raise your heels up away from the floor and slowly lower them back down.

 

 

Exhale as you lift your heels and inhale as you lower down.

 

 











Wall Pushups
 
15 reps

 

 

Place your toes 2-3 feet away from the wall and you hands shoulder-width on the wall in front of you. Keeping the body in a straight line, bend the elbows to lower your body towards the wall and extend them to push back up.

 

 

Keep abs engaged and the body straight—don't lean forward with just your chest.

 

 

Exhale as you push back up and inhale as you lower towards the wall.

 

 


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About The Author

Nicole Nichols Nicole Nichols
Nicole was named "America's Top Personal Trainer to Watch" in 2011. A certified personal trainer and fitness instructor with a bachelor's degree in health promotion and education, she loves living a healthy and fit lifestyle and helping others do the same. Her DVDs "Total Body Sculpting" and "28 Day Boot Camp" (a best seller) are available online and in stores nationwide. Read Nicole's full bio and blog posts.

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Member Comments

  • I don't have an available wall, I have a small cube. For the next iteration, can you please do a cube “small office space” workout. Also, any ideas about a desk workout that is more inconspicuous, so I do not bother the other employees around me would be great. Thanks! - 12/12/2012 10:49:48 AM
  • MAYMORRIS1
    I did the exercises and they were easy to do. However, I was worried about getting all hot in my work clothes, but it wasn't bad at all. - 9/6/2012 2:39:43 PM
  • MAYMORRIS1
    I did the exercises and they were easy to do. However, I was worried about getting all hot in my work clothes, but it wasn't bad at all. - 9/6/2012 2:39:23 PM
  • How can I figure out how many calories I have burned with this? - 8/14/2012 1:31:02 PM
  • SANDIBETTS1
    Thank you--these work from home or work. I will share with other staff members. - 6/17/2012 7:25:35 AM
  • This was perfect. It was just what I was looking for when trying to find something that detailed exercises to combat fatigue while at work. The printable version was the best feature since I cannot look at videos at work. - 1/31/2012 10:45:27 AM
  • Interesting , I have a cope of 5XBX (RCAF training system from 1960's) that I might try though. - 12/11/2011 8:46:40 PM
  • Not practical for where I work. I would do it, but trust me, even if it was practical, no one would do it. They prefer to sit in front of the other computer in the lunch room or go out and smoke. - 10/6/2011 6:59:20 AM
  • Nicole, What do you do when you do not have wall space at work. My cube is small with no wall space and my desk is a sit-stand desk (made for standing) what do you suggest I do as these execises while good will not work in my cubicle and there is too much traffic to do the exercises in the hallway?

    cindy - 3/27/2011 6:48:20 PM
  • Like others the video is blocked here so adding the printable workout page was a great idea! Thanks! - 5/13/2010 9:50:20 AM
  • LDONATO26
    I love this! I try and sneek the moves in through out the day at work - 2/3/2010 1:46:50 PM
  • LOVEMYLABS3
    I ditto BMIDDLEBROOKS36. My video player is blocked at my work as well and the printable option is beneficial, even just being able to see the individual exercise on the screen is fantastic! Love this short workout to help break apart the day! - 12/16/2009 12:41:40 PM
  • Thank you for the printable versions of your workouts, especially this one. I try to incorporate some exercise into my work day, at breaks and such, but streaming video is blocked on our work computers so I cannot watch the videos. These printable versions show me the exercises to do and the form to do them correctly, so I am able to exercise on breaks without the access to the videos. THANK YOU!! - 11/12/2009 7:51:48 AM
  • Thank You for the printable versions. I am hearing impaired & rely on Closed Caption.
    I have been so discouraged upon looking @ many videos & not understanding what I am to do. So I have lost interest in exercising again. I just happened to log on & saw this. Please include more printable versions with the videos since they arent in CC.
    I even was going to buy the DVD's you have out, however, they too aren't in CC. - 10/22/2009 3:15:35 PM
  • i dont see anything wrong with doing a 15 min workout && most bosses dont have a problem with getting up and walking around or taking a 15 min break.

    doing a few simple moves will wake you up and get your blood flowing after hours of just sitting. employees would be much more productive.

    we do have cameras where i work but i would still do this workout with a HUGE SMILE on my face for mkaing good use of my break to get in shape rather than eat a snickers bar or something. - 12/19/2008 2:18:21 PM
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