Desk job and tight hips

[BareSteel]

Hi,

I recently started a job that is almost entirely desk-based. I sit more than ever.

What can I do to fend off tight hips?

I have two short breaks during the day and one lunch hour. When I get home, I have some time to stretch, so I set aside non-training days for some lacrosse ball work to the glutes, foam rolling, static stretches (couch stretch!) and self-massage of IT band.

Any other tips?

Thank you.

[nkelman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1ja4...layer_embedded

I do this twice daily when my hips get tight, and roll, bounch, twist, thrust around on my girls gym ball.

[gatorinexile]

Sitting for 8+hours/day is going to affect different people differently. You said, "recently" but I'm not sure how long that is. Give it some time - see how it affects you.

At a minimum, stand often. Use anything to make this happen. Put a white board on other side of office/cube and get up to write on it every :30 -:60. Something. Anything.

If it effects you too much, look into standing desk options. You can go as simple as throwing your existing desk on some type of blocks, to $5000 motorized desks.

I couple years ago, I IKEA-hacked a standing desk and put a tall bar stool at it so I could sit AND stand as I chose. I'm in a new office now and sit all day. I'm about to pull the trigger on an adjustable desk that goes up to stand, and lowers to sit in a ergo computer chair. There are several decent options for <$800. Maybe your employer will help? Show them this scare propoganda J

[BareSteel]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

It's been about a week on the job. So far, I've determined that I can: stand up every so often, take my 10-min breaks standing, change between learning and upright seated positions, and even do a few stretches during breaks (although I'm sure coworkers will ask about it soon).

I dig the standing desk idea. I've been meaning to build one for my desk at home and hope to make that a reality in the near future.

[jillingworth]

I actually spend a fair amount of time at my desk kneeling and doing hurdler's style stretches while working (I can type and all that jazz fine from this position). I sometimes get odd looks, but it works.

[tomskarda]

If you have access to a reverse hyper, it helps a lot.