Getting in Shape, in the Office

Dec. 29, 2008 — -- With New Yers just around the corner, many Americans will be making a resolution to get in better shape. But many people simply do not have the time to hit the gym for hours on end.

Have no fear. Fitness experts Diana Nyad and Bonnie Stoll of the fitness company Bravabody are masters of The Office Six -- six easy workouts everyone can do while at work to keep that body toned.

Grab onto your desk with your hands about shoulder-width apart. Keep your elbows locked out at the beginning and the body as flat as a plank from your shoulder blades to your heels. Your butt should not be in the air. Bend your elbows and lower your chest toward your desk then push back up.

You could just go through the motions -- don't. Really squeeze down and squeeze up. Do 20 reps, or do 10 to 15 and work up to 20.

If you would like to work the back of your arms, which get a little loose as you get older, you can do tricep pushups. They are just like the desk push-ups, just move your hands closer together. So you are working the fatty area. Go down and up. Try to squeeze hard so you work everything else plus the triceps. These are hard, so do one or two if you can and work up to 20 reps.

Standing over the desk with hands on the desk about shoulder-width apart. Now, with your foot flexed, lift one leg straight back then bring it all the way in and back and in. Don't use momentum and throw your leg around. Squeeze that cheek on the way up and the way down. Do 20 reps, then switch legs.

Now for a variation, because some women worry about the hips and the insides and outsides of their thighs, too. This time we'll raise the leg at a 45 degree angle, not straight out to the side, not straight back. Keep the foot flexed. All the way up, all the way back out and in with intention. It takes concentration. Do 20 reps.

We call this exercise the chicken wing. It works the back of the upper arm because a lot of women are unhappy with the flab that develops there. Stand by your desk and bend over at the waist. Elbows are bent and raised behind you above your back. Lock out your shoulder so it doesn't move, and lock your elbow. Bend your forearms in and out for 20 reps.

The fourth exercise is the sitting abs, which is meant to work your core. Think you need fancy equipment? You don't.