Your health is one of the most critical factors of achieving happiness. Whether considering personal, professional, or spiritual happiness, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs clearly displays how happiness is hard to attain if you neglect your physiological needs. In other words, exercise makes everything in life easier.
This blog discusses why companies are caring more about their employees’ physical and mental health. Then, the blog includes various ways for you to improve your work performance with exercise equipment for your at-home office.
The best aspect of this office exercise equipment is that it doesn’t require complex installation or maintenance. You can simply put your under desk bicycle in your office and watch your productivity take off. In fact, studies have shown that adding something as simple as a standing desk can increase the calories you burn as well as your productivity.
You don’t need to commit to vigorous workouts every day. These pieces of home-office exercise equipment will help you boost your productivity even if you only use them 2-3 days out of the week. The bottom line is, when you exercise at work, you’re not working harder, you’re working smarter. Continue reading to learn more about the ways you can make your home office more fitness friendly.
Why Are Companies Starting to Pay Employees to Work Out?
There are numerous benefits to employees staying fit and active at work. These include reduced stress, increased energy and productivity, and improved immune systems resulting in less sick days.
On top of the productivity gains, having a happier team results in somewhat unquantifiable results. The happier employees are, the more likely they are to go the extra mile for the team. If you consider this in the context of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, health is at the base. Your team can’t produce business and professional results if they are unhealthy, either physically or mentally.
Remaining active at work is a proven way employees can increase their happiness and subsequently remain more productive at work.
Stress Relief
Stress is a productivity killer that causes damage to both the brain and the body. By removing stress from both the mind and body, employees can focus, think more clearly, and make rational business decisions.
Exercise reduces cortisol levels, which is the body’s stress hormone. Sweating also produces endorphins that help your mind relax. So, employees who exercise regularly at work instead of snacking are more likely to make sound business decisions and improve your bottom line.
More Energy
Energy levels are critical determinants of business success. If your employees show up on Monday beleaguered and mentally fatigued, chances are, they will not be able to sustain productivity throughout the day. Exercise increases circulation and blood flow to the brain. This helps maintain energy throughout the day and employees can even combat that dreaded 2:30 PM lull we all feel.
Additionally, exercise boosts your immune system so your employees won’t need to take as many sick days. Sick days can ruin your team’s productivity and improving your employee’s immune system ensures your team stays on task and the flow of productivity isn’t interrupted.
Increased Productivity
A Harvard study showed the benefits of exercise aren’t simply physical. There is also evidence that exercise boosts mental abilities by achieving the following:
- Enhanced creativity
- Speeding up learning
- Improving memory capabilities
- Improving concentration
There are also studies suggesting that exercise during work hours can boost work performance. A Leeds Metropolitan University study found that workers who visited the gym during work hours boosted their productivity and managed their time more efficiently, resulting in improved work satisfaction.
Exercise Equipment for Your At-Home Office
Under Desk Exercise Bikes
If you’re an avid cyclist, under desk bicycles will be the obvious choice for you. Standing desks and standing desk treadmills might be too much of a commitment for you. After all, standing can get downright boring and it can be a distraction. Under desk bikes ensure that you’re comfortable while you burn calories.
The under desk bike is small enough to fit under most standing desks and you can adjust to fit your comfort-level. You can also incorporate a communal table with multiple bicycles so you can build some camaraderie. With limited assembly times and easily portable pieces of equipment, you can easily assemble these exercise bikes and take them into the office with you if you work in a hybrid environment. You also won’t run into any space limitations.
Standing Desks
The benefits of standing desks go beyond burning calories. Although standing has been proven to burn more calories than sitting, there are other benefits such as reduced back pain and increased productivity. In fact, one study showed that standing desks boost productivity by 45% compared to sitting.
One of the most important ways to maximize the benefits of a standing desk is to go back and forth from sitting to standing at least a few times throughout the day. You should also situate the standing desk to ensure your back, neck, and head are aligned properly.
At Lifespan Fitness, we believe your office exercise environment should also be customizable. That way, you can enjoy all of your fitness applications and make them uniquely your own. Who wants to exercise when the environment is boring and disengaged? Our standing desks feature frame colors and desktop finishes that compliment your office and make you feel at home when you exercise.
Standing Desk Treadmills
Standing desk treadmills combat all of the same health risks associated with sitting too long that standing desks do--and then some. Standing desk treadmills accomplish all the benefits of standing desks and more.
The benefits of a treadmill desk include the following effects:
- Mood boosts
- Increased productivity
- Increased creative output
- Reduced stress Increased weight loss
- Reduced risk for type-2 diabetes
- Lowering blood sugar
- Bone and muscle maintenance
Balance Boards and Chairs
Whether trying to improve your posture at work or simply trying to stay more active, balance boards will make your work day more engaging. Combining a balance board with a standing desk will also improve your balance, coordination, and prevent injuries.
Balance boards strengthen joints and improve stability while burning calories. One of the most important features of a balance board is that it contains a non-slip surface. This is especially important for anyone with a hardwood or tile floor. If you have a balance board, you’ll want to make sure your board won’t slide on the floor and your feet won’t slide on the board.
Balance boards are slightly more challenging than balance chairs but balance chairs are easier to use for longer periods of time. Balance chairs work to stabilize your core and offer a more moderate way to exercise during work hours. You can focus easier using a balance chair than a balance board, but both offer distinct advantages that you should consider before deciding.
Standing Mats
You should consider buying a standing mat with either your standing desk treadmill or bike. These accessories are perfect for anyone trying to incorporate a recovery feature in their at-home office. These mats feature pressure points that let you massage your feet and reduce stress off your shins and feet to keep you comfortable and performing at work.
Activity Trackers
Activity trackers help you maintain consistency and keep you accountable to your in-office workouts. If you want to make at-work exercising a regular thing, fitness trackers are essential for tracking your progress and reminding you to move after you’ve sat in one place for too long.
Lifespan Fitness Is Here for All of Your At-Home Fitness Needs
Lifespan Fitness has dedicated itself to being the premier vendor for anyone looking to boost their mental and physical health – as well as their productivity – with at-home fitness equipment. Our standing desks, standing desk treadmills, under desk bikes, and various workout accessories make working from home happy and healthy.
Never worry about having to get up at 5:00 am again. Don’t spend time fretting over whether you can spend time with your family after work. Our in-office exercise equipment makes staying healthy more attainable than ever.
Embark on your fitness journey this year with Lifespan Fitness, and boost your work performance like never before. The choice is yours, we’re just here to help.
