Being a travel agent is like being an athlete, only with less spandex and more paperwork.
Advisors have got to jump hurdles of airline regulations, hotel policies, and client preferences, all while maintaining the agility of a ballerina and the endurance of a long-distance runner.
And just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, an unexpected curveball like a last-minute cancellation or a missed connection comes flying at you. It’s no wonder you’re left feeling like you’ve run a marathon, and actual exercise is the last thing on your mind.
But fear not, dear reader, we’ve got some quick tips to help you stay fit while on the job.
It’s called deskercise: the art of working out while pretending to work. And it’s famed for exercise moves so subtle, your customers won’t even know you’re doing them.
Advisors are busier than ever, but a lot of that time is spent sitting at a desk. That’s where deskercise comes in! It’s a fun and effective way to work out like a boss while you’re doing your daily tasks. Here are some deskercise moves to get your blood pumping and your colleagues gawking:
1. ARM CIRCLES for when you’re on hold with airlines
Arm circles are a great way to tone your arms and shoulders. They also make you look like a plane. So next time you’re on hold with an airline, do some arm circles.
- Sit up straight in your chair with your feet flat on the ground.
- Extend your arms out to the side at shoulder height.
- Slowly circle your arms forward, then backward.
Repeat this exercise for 10-15 reps or three rounds of their assurances that your call is important to them and that you have moved up in the queue.
2. CHAIR SQUATS to get back at the colleague who’s never at their desk
Got a colleague who’s just gone for another coffee or ducked to the loo (inevitable when you drink that much coffee)? Every time you see them get up to leave, do a chair squat. Chair squats are a great way to tone your legs and glutes without leaving your desk.
- Stand in front of your chair with your feet hip-width apart.
- Lower your body down towards the chair as if you’re about to sit down.
- Hold the position for a few seconds, then stand back up.
Repeat this exercise for 10-15 reps. If they are away from their desk more than that, they may need to see a doctor.
3. LEG EXTENSIONS when you want to push away a time-waster
You can’t kick away the obvious time-wasters. But you can feel like you are by doing leg extensions in their direction. Leg extensions are a great way to tone your quads, hamstrings and that mean streak you’ve been cultivating.
- Sit up straight in your chair with your feet flat on the ground.
- Lift one leg up off the ground and straighten it out in front of you.
- Hold the position for a few seconds, then lower your leg back down.
Repeat this exercise for 10-15 reps on each leg or for every time they tell you they’ve seen it cheaper online.
4. DESK PUSH UPS for when you want to leave the office, but have too much to do
Desk push-ups are a great way to tone your chest, shoulders, and triceps. They also give you the impression that you’re pushing yourself away from your desk even when you’re not. So when you start to lag, do some desk push-ups. And then give in and get back to work
- Stand facing your desk with your feet hip-width apart.
- Place your hands on the edge of the desk, shoulder-width apart.
- Lower your body down towards the desk, then push back up.
Repeat this exercise for 10-15 reps. Because that’s how long it will take you to realise you still need to stay back to finish that booking.
5. GOSSIP LUNGES to get you closer to all the office chit chat
The best thing about working in an office is getting to catch up on all the goings on. But now you can exercise your body as well as your mouth.
- Stand up from your desk and take a big step forward with one leg, bending the knee to form a lunge position.
- As you lunge, lean in towards your colleague and listen intently to their juicy gossip.
- After a few seconds, switch legs and lunge towards another coworker to get the latest scoop.
Repeat for as long as the news is fresh.
And don’t forget Event Exercise!
Heading to an event? Walk there if you can and do a few laps of the room when you arrive. This will not only help with networking, but will also allow you time to scope out where the food is coming from. Weaving and ducking through the crowd to be first for the hors d’oeuvres is also surely great for your core.
Sitting down? Do some chair twists to see who’s around. The exercise is a great way to stretch your spine and tone your abs.
- Sit up straight in your chair with your feet flat on the ground.
- Twist your torso to the right and grab onto the back of your chair with your left hand.
- Hold the position
Repeat this exercise for 10-15 reps or until you’ve seen all the mates you want to catch up with at the end of the presentation.
You can also get the whole office involved in country hip hop aerobics from the 80s. This is probably my favourite non-animal thing on the internet.
