FitWork — Overview
Sedentary lifestyle is now a leading cause of death, particularly concerning for those of us who have a desk job. Our goal at Local FitWork is to encourage office workers to be healthier, happier and more energetic by reducing static sitting time. We call this new movement FitWork.
What Is FitWorking?
FitWorking is the idea that just because we have a desk job, it doesn’t mean we have to be sitting all day long. Hitting the gym after many hours of inactivity will not negate the negative impact of sedentary life. Instead, we can design our office in such a way, that we are encouraged to be more active while working.
We don’t really have to move all the time, but just enough to prevent stiffness and poor blood circulation. Even sitting itself doesn’t have to be a static action – replacing the standard desk with a floor desk for just an hour or two, can give us the opportunity to stretch and change position much often, while sitting.
8 hours of working doesn’t have to be 8 hours of sitting
Principles of FitWorking
We have been practicing FitWorking for a few years now. Based on our experience, we have established the following core principles:
- Ergonomic is good. But not all day long.
While office ergonomics play an important part of muscular skeletal health and pain prevention, they aim to find the “perfect” position and encourage office workers to stay in this position for a prolonging period of time. While the perfect posture is better then a bad posture, movement is crucial for preventing stiffness, maintaining joint health and muscle function. - Accidental workout can take you long way.
While a solid gym workout can make you stronger over time, you will be surprised how far can small daily strengthening movements can take you. Take a pull-ups for example. Mounting a bar on top of my bathroom door prompted me to to try to do a pull-up each time I would visit the room. At first I couldn’t even hang for more then few seconds. An 2 years later I can perform multiple pull-ups with a good form and I didn’t even feel when it happened! - Floor is your friend.
Sitting on the floor encourages better posture by promoting a natural spinal alignment and engaging the core muscles. This seated position can improve flexibility in the hips, knees, and ankles over time, fostering greater joint mobility. Additionally, a floor desk creates a minimalist, space-saving solution, which cultivates a sense of simplicity and tranquility, echoing the Zen principles often associated with Japanese decor.
Standing is good. But not all day long.Small steps.
- Standing is good. But not all day long.
Prolonging standing static places excessive strain on certain muscles, particularly in the lower back, hips, and legs, leading to stiffness and discomfort. Reduced blood flow from standing still can increasing the risk of varicose veins. Incorporating movement, shifting positions frequently and alternating between sitting and standing is crucial. - Small steps is better then no steps.
Getting 10k steps a day is a great goal, but hybrid work can make it challenging. A quick walk before or after work can boost both physical health and mental clarity. While tools like walking pads or desk ellipticals aren’t a substitute for a park jog, they help keep you moving during the day. Every step adds up, and you’ll be surprised at your progress—definitely better than sitting all day!
Want to learn more about FitWorking? Contact us:
Local FitWork 