NO USAGE CAPS,
MDNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Desk exercises sculpt muscles while studying
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN Do your muscles a favor and squeeze a work out in during finals week. No time for the gym? Burning calories while studying is a perfect compromise.
SOPHIA TEMPLIN
stemplin@kansan.com
Research has proven that taking study breaks for some physical activity can increase student performance. The only problem is, who wants to go run five miles during a study binge? "Deskercising" is the lazy college student's dream. This kind of exercise allows us to work muscles while staying seated. Although it isn't an equivalent to a five-mile run, doing some deskercises during your next study session will benefit your mind and body.
ARE YOU THE HUNCHBACK OF ANSCHUTZ LIBRARY?
If you're name isn't Quasimodo and you don't ring church bells for a living, sit up straight. According to the Laser Spine Institute, practicing good posture while sitting can provide better concentration, healthier joints and easier breathing.
DON'T PULL A MUSCLE
There are many stationary stretches you can do while seated. Interlace your hands above you and stretch your torso side to side. Pull your arms across your body, reach them to the ceiling and try clasping your hands behind your back and pulling them straight, pushing out the chest. While you're at it, get a stress ball and pop each finger. Your hard-at-work fingers need some love too.
FIND YOUR INNER PEACE
Slow neck rolls are common in yoga classes
and for good reason. Put your chin to your chest and swing your head back and forth from each shoulder four or five times. Feel extra tight from all that typing? Shrug your shoulders and roll them backward as if you were trying to squeeze a pencil between your shoulder blades.
GET SOME KILLER ARMS
TO GO WITH THAT KILLER GRADE
Clasp your hands in front of your body like you're in a church choir and try to pull your elbows away from each other. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat (take a rest in between, you might need it). Depending on how shameless you feel, bicep curls can be done with a water bottle or textbook. Choose desired weight.
REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE SIX PACKS IN THE WORLD THAT DON'T INVOLVE BEER
Clench your core for six to eight seconds and release as you go through old notes. If no one is sitting across from you, try to straighten your legs and hold them out while you type. Legs should be in plane with your chair seat. If that's still too easy, pick your legs up at a 90-degree angle and try to hold them up with just your butt touching the chair. Try not to fall out of your chair; if you do, you will be judged.
TWERK YOUR WAY TO AN A
Try clenching your butt together for eight to 10 seconds 10 times. This exercise is
inconspicuous to those around you and you'll be sure to feel it the next day. Another easy deskercise for your booty is for your inner thighs. Put a water bottle or textbook between your thighs and squeeze them together.
KU CALVES, SAY WHAT?
Just in case you didn't get enough of a calf workout walking to the library, there are two great deskexcises that you'll feel the burn in. In sets of 15, keep your toes on the ground and raise your heels or vice versa: try to raise your toes off the ground without picking up your heels.
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Edited by Lauren Armendariz
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