7 Exercises to Help Reverse Computer Posture

The average person in the U.S. spends over 7 hours sitting at a computer. While, for many of us, this is unavoidable – it can wreak havoc on our bodies. Studies show that spending hours at the computer negatively affects our posture, causes stiffness in the neck, upper back and shoulders as well as a contributes to numerous chronic conditions.

Fortunately, there are you exercises you can do to prevent or reverse some of these negative effects! The trick is to return mobility to the areas that are stiff while also strengthening the muscles that can become weakened over time.

Here are 7 exercises that can help get you started…

1. Seated Alternating Rows with Holds

Coaching Tips:

  • Sit in a bench facing the cable machine with your knees bent 90 degrees and your feet flat on the floor.
  • Grab one handle in each hand – handles should be at your lower chest level.
  • While maintaining a long, neutral spine, pull both handles back simultaneously by squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  • Remain in this row position with one arm as you slowly bring the other arm forward and perform a row.
  • Once that moving arm returns to the row position, bring the other arm forward and then perform a row.
  • Keep alternating sides for as many reps as desired.
  • Remember take deep breaths throughout and keep your shoulders from rotating in – the movement is initiating by your shoulder blades.

2. Chest Stretch Standing Next to Wall

Coaching Tips:

  • Stand next to a wall, keeping a tall spine and your belt buckle up.
  • Slowly bring your hand on the wall with your palm facing the wall.
  • Slide your hand back as far as comfortably possible – feeling a gentle stretch in your chest.
  • To make the stretch a bit more intense, slowly turn your body away from your arm.
  • Remember to not let your shoulder rotate inwards.
  • Take deed breaths throughout and hold the stretch between 20-30 seconds.

3. Lying Ts with Thumbs Up

Coaching Tips:

  • Lie on your stomach on the floor and extend your arms out to your side, forming a “T.”
  • Your palms are facing forward with your thumbs up.
  • For neck support, consider resting your forehead against a folded towel, if desired.
  • Inhale and slowly squeeze your shoulder blades together and then lift your arms off the floor.
  • Exhale at the top and slowly lower and repeat as many times as desired.
  • Remember to take deep breaths throughout and keep your spine lengthened and “belt-buckle” up so you don’t arch your back.

4. Standing Chicken Necks

Coaching Tips:

  • Stand tall , keeping your belt buckle up.
  • Slowly bring your chin back (giving yourself a double-chin) so your ears line up with your shoulders.
  • Hold the tucked position for 2-3 seconds and then return to the starting position and repeat for as many reps as desired

5. Band Pull-Aparts Standing with Palms Down

Coaching Tips:

  • Stand up straight and hold an exercise band out in front of you at around chest height. Your hands should be shoulder width apart.
  • Pull the band apart, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  • Slowly return to the starting position and repeat as many times as desired.

6. Cat-Cow

Coaching Tips:

  • Start on your hands and knees, toes curled under, aligning your wrists underneath your shoulders and your knees underneath your hips.
  • Your eyes are looking straight down to the ground.
  • Start by taking a deep breath in.
  • Next, move into cat position by slowly tilting your pelvis back so that your tailbone sticks up, your spine flattens and you slowly look up to the ceiling without straining your neck.
  • Next, slowly move into cow position by exhaling and tipping your pelvis forward, letting your spine naturally round. Try to look at your navel.
  • Slowly move back into cat position and keep repeating as many times as desired

7. Lying Floor Slides

Coaching Tips:

  • Start by lying flat on your back, maintaining a neutral spine.
  • Place your hands on the floor next to your head with your palms facing up and your elbows bent at approximately 90 degrees.
  • Draw your shoulder blades down and back. 
  • Inhale and slowly slide your forearms along the floor while you exhale until your arms are extended as straight overhead as comfortably possible – trying to keep your hands and wrists on the floor at all times.
  • Slowly slide your forearms along the floor to return to the starting position.
  • Repeat as many times as desired.
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn

Related Articles

5 Overlooked Exercises for a Stronger Core

Having a strong core becomes increasingly important as we age. As the years go by, especially if a lot those years has been spent relatively inactive, our core begins to weaken – creating a cascade of consequences. Our back starts to hurt, our posture gets more “hunched,” our hips and knees stiffen and our strength

Read More »

How to Find a Form of Exercise You Don’t Hate

“Chris, I really don’t like exercise. In fact, I don’t just dislike exercise, I detest it. I hate it. If there was a pill I could take instead of having to exercise, I would be the first in line.” That was what a client told me during our initial consultation a number of years ago.

Read More »

7 Exercises that Reverse the Effects of Sitting

So much of our everyday lives revolve around sitting doesn’t it? We sit at our desk at work, spend countless hours in our car, sit to read, watch TV, scroll through social media, etc. Sitting is seemingly unavoidable, but too much can wreak havoc on both our bodies and our mind- causing health consequences such

Read More »

5 Simple & Effective Morning Mobility Exercises

Spending just 5 minutes per day doing mobility exercises within 30 minutes of waking up can provide the following benefits: Decreases stiffness caused by sleeping Increases circulation Helps you wake up Increases energy Prevents injuries Reduces stress Improves memory Boosts productivity and creativity Starts your day with a feeling of accomplishment Here are 5 exercises

Read More »

What You Don’t Know About Your Metabolism Is Hurting You

Most people think of their metabolism only when thinking about their weight. But the truth is, your metabolism is so much more important than being a factor in how much you weigh. A healthy metabolism means your body is getting the energy it needs, is detoxing properly, and is repairing tissues and that our hormones

Read More »

Stop Trying to Be Consistent

We always hear that in order to get/stay fit, we have to be “consistent.” But as surprising as it is to hear, striving for consistency may actually be counterproductive. The dictionary defines consistency as “acting or done in the same way over time.” We aim to be consistent with our exercise, we aim to be

Read More »

Connect with me

Listen to the podcast

Follow Me on Facebook

Ask me a question on twitter

© 2022 Believe In You Now Fitness, LLC. All rights reserved.