Core strengthening exercise to do at your desk

1. Initial body position

This exercise can be done on the floor or on a chair, making it easy for office workers to incorporate into their day.

While sitting, try to be heavy on your sit-bones and your shoulders relaxed. If you’re sitting in a chair, keep both feet flat on the floor. Imagine the top of your head being pulled up towards the ceiling.

Main mistakes in setting up initial position: Rounded mid-back and shoulders, feet not touching the floor, slouching.

2. Exercise/action

Lengthen your spine, as if you want to be “tall”, by pushing your sit-bones down onto the chair and your feet down onto the floor. Engage your muscles as if you want to stand up (but stay seated).

Once you have elongated your spine, breath deeply three times into your abdomen.

Result: You should feel your core muscles working hard.

Main mistakes: Arching the low-back to be “tall”.

3. Going further

Tips: You can ask someone to gently push down on your head or shoulders, giving you resistance to push against. This makes it easier to maintain proper form.