Powerlifting champion's guide to using StretchClock

No matter how active you may be at the gym or outside of work, sitting at a desk all day is just plain not good for your health.

 

But the reality is that many of us spend the day sitting, as our career glues us to a desk. Although we’re aware of the fact that this behavior is often detrimental, there’s really no way to avoid it. As soon as we finish sitting at our desks all day, we sit in our car and then sit on our couch. Just because we can’t avoid it doesn't mean we can’t make small tweaks throughout the day to get some movement thrown into our otherwise sedentary 9-5.

 

"Sedentary time is independently associated with an increased risk of metabolic disease. Worksite interventions designed to decrease sedentary time may serve to improve employee health."

British Journal of Sports Medicine 2010

 

In a 2010 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, it was discovered that individuals who sit for extended periods of time are at an increased risk for disease versus those who get up to walk to the bathroom, stretch, grab a coffee, etc.

The American Journal of Epidemiology also published a study showing that individuals who sit for more than six hours per day experience an 18% higher chance of death from heart disease, diabetes and obesity, compared to individuals who sit for three or fewer hours a day. Since then, there has been a plethora of newer studies confirming the same idea(s)- sitting is killing us.

 

While the idea of buying standing desks or treadmill desks is not only terrifying for number-crunchers, it’s also just not realistically feasible in some companies.

 

 

The good news is that you don’t need to invest tens of thousands of dollars into furniture that allows employees to stand versus sit.

 

You simply just need to find ways to get your employees up and moving at least once or twice an hour. While executives and leadership may view an employee who continually gets up from their desk as one who isn't being productive or working hard, the opposite may in fact be true. Taking breaks to divert your attention from the work-related task at hand can leave you feeling refreshed and more productive when you get back to it.

In addition to increased risk of disease(s) and decreased productivity, excessive sitting also takes a toll on our muscles and joints. Stiff muscles, lack of mobility and pain in the neck, lower back and hips are all results of prolonged sitting, day after day. When this trend continues on, your posture shifts as a result. Your hip flexors shorten over time as well, as they are spending most of the day cramped up in a seated position.

 

What’s all this mean?

 

Your muscle fascia adapts to its environment, and when it realizes it spends more time in the seated vs standing position, even your stride/walk will change, in addition to neck and back pain that can become chronic over time.

 

If you’re looking for more productive workers, encourage movement.

 

StretchClock break reminder software has been featured in Women’s Health, The Washington Post and other publications, lauded for its reminders to get up from your desk and demonstrations of how to perform various stretches. You can set the Clock to whatever time interval you believe will work best, and get your employees up and moving.

 

Reduce the risk of workers compensation issues as a result of carpal tunnel and chronic pain due to excessive periods of sitting at a desk all work week.

 

It’s easy to get lost in the mundane, deadline-approaching tasks of a busy job. Sometimes you can sit for hours without even realizing it, or feeling like you don’t have a minute to spare. Stretch Clock brings a whole new dimension to the workplace, giving your employees the opportunity to get up, move and stretch, all with guided instructional videos in work-friendly attire.

Sitting is killing us. Stretch Clock is fighting that. Experience for yourself today.