Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) September 26, 2013 -- Many employers in the United States are actively seeking to improve the health of their employees. They have generously developed on-site gyms, provided health club memberships, and set up lunchtime walking groups. A challenge remains, though, with the typical workday. Most office-based jobs involve long periods of time sitting behind desks. Numerous research studies have linked sitting for long periods of time with increased risks of health issues, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. American Fitness has begun recommending user-friendly office exercise equipment to business and government customers looking to improve health and fitness in the workplace. These tools are used to do stretching and strength exercises to get people moving and break up long periods of sitting. The items are both portable and affordable, making them ideal for even small businesses on a budget.
Hand weights or dumbbells can be easily stored in a desk drawer and pulled out for a few minutes of biceps and triceps curls throughout the day. Resistance bands, also called exercise bands or super bands, are equally easy to store and provide for a variety of exercises that can be done in different positions. These stretchy bands or cords are different from dumbbells in that tension is constant on the muscles. Where hand weights and dumbbells come in different amounts of weight, resistance bands come in different amounts of tension. Both are great options for beginners.
Exercise balls, also called balance balls or stability balls, are worth considering as substitutes for office chairs. Many forward-thinking businesses now offer these types of fitness balls as an alternative to traditional computer chairs. These items help improve balance, as well as strengthen and tone core muscles. When not being used as furniture, they can be used for other exercises, such as sit-ups and crunches.
Cardio equipment is not just for the gym! Mini exercise bikes and elliptical trainers are available that fit under a desk. They provide low impact workouts that are easy on the joints and minimize the risk of injuries to backs, hips, and knees. It is possible to talk on the phone or type on a computer while peddling away. Work that needs to be completed at a desk can still be completed while increasing the employee’s activity level at the same time.
“Our corporate and government customers are always looking for ways to support employee wellness, while maintaining productivity in the office,” said Ron Thompson, President of American Fitness. “While developing full, on-site gyms with treadmills, ellipticals, and weights are very beneficial for lunchtime and after hours workouts, employees also need a way to stay active while performing daily tasks.”
For more information on fitness tools for staying active in the workplace, see office exercise equipment or visit americanfitness.net.
About American Fitness
American Fitness is a leading retailer of home and commercial gym equipment. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, AmericanFitness.net is the chosen provider of exercise equipment for schools, hotels, public service agencies, and US military organizations across the United States and abroad. American Fitness specializes in custom gym and fitness center design using top brand cardio and weight lifting equipment. With a focus on service and customer satisfaction, American Fitness seeks to support individuals and organizations in achieving fit and healthy lifestyles.
D. Thompson, American Fitness, http://www.americanfitness.net, +1 800-895-4181, pr@americanfitness.net
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