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Printable 15-Minute Desk Workout

Take the Video With You!

-- By Nicole Nichols, Fitness Instructor











Close-Arm Wall Pushups
 
15 reps

 

 

Place your toes 2-3 feet away from the wall and you hands close together in a triangle shape (thumbs and pointer fingers together).  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.

 

 












Triceps Dips with Chair
 
15 reps

 

 

Sit at the edge of a sturdy chair and take an overhand grip of the chair's edge, straightening the arms and lifting your body off the chair and placing the feet flat on the ground. Bend the elbows to lower your body down towards the floor and straighten the arms to come back up.

 

 

Point your elbows back behind you—not out to the sides.  Make it harder by straightening the legs more (placing your feet further away from the chair).

 

 

Exhale as you straighten the arms and push up and inhale as you bend the arms and lower down.

 

 










Seated Hip Flexor & Extension
 
15 reps

 

 

Sit tall on your chair, feet flat on the floor, hands grasping the sides of the chair, facing forward. Lift your right knee up (so your thigh is raised off of the chair) and extend your leg, toes pointing towards the ceiling. Bend at the knee and lower the thigh back down to complete one rep.

 

 

Exhale as you lift and extend your leg and inhale as you bend and lower your leg.

 

 

Repeat all reps on the right leg and then do this exercise on your left side.

 

 




















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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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