Exercise at work

[bradpa77]

So we all know that we are supposed to exercise but when do we have the time? I was getting up early for a while and walking for a half hour a day before work. It's getting harder and harder to get myself out of bed in time to squeeze that in without being late. So I had an idea. Why don't I just take a half hour break at work and walk some laps around the plant? It's a big plant, so two laps around ends up being about a half hour. Do any of you think that me doing this is a bad idea? I just don't want to get in trouble or cause problems or look like a time waster.

 

[Ashereng]

If you're on break, as long as your walking path does not violate any plant rules, should be good.

If I were you, I would try to fit my walking into what I need to do. Take the long way around, instead of the short cut through the line area.

When I was at DuPont, our plant had a single hall way almost 1/4 mile long, and dead straight. The lab was at one end, the main office in the center, and the parking lot access at the other. My office was off a hall way about 1/3 of the way from the parking lot. You walk that a few times a day, you'd be in good shape too.

Another idea is to take the stairs instead of the freight elevator. At a pulp and paper mill that I was at, the control room was on the 3rd floor, my office across the compound in an Atco trailer. I walked that at least 4-5 times a day, in steel toe boots, Nomex, hardhat, winter coat, and some equipment.

This one really bugged the guys I car pooled with. I would park in the middle of the employee lot, closes to the exit to the road, rather than closes to the mill entrance. This way, I got some exercise, and was able to get my car out faster once I got in it.

I was in the best shape of my life when I worked in the plants/mills.

 

[AndrewTX]

I do the same thing. The building I used to work in is very long (around 200 yrads). I would usually get up a walk 2-3 laps once in the morning and once again in the afternoon.

The other exercise I would do is walking up and down the stairs. I work on the 4th floor of my building so I do a couple repetitions up and down the stairs.

I need to exercise to keep my blood flowing and my brain working.

 

[ziggi]

I think that any exercise is a great idea. You don't necessarily need to walk, maybe take a 10 min break to jog around the plant.

About a month ago I started to get up about 20 mins earlier than usual, and I did a quick workout in the morning, just enough to get my heart rate up without sweating, it involves some shadow boxing, push ups, sit ups, and various other techniques I learnt back when I was boxing.

I find that I now have more energy and can concentrate much better, the only downfall is that I'm too energetic sometimes.
At present if I miss that workout I feel tired and have a hard time concentrating at work.

I'd suggest going back to a morning workout, shadow boxing is a great way to get your heart rate up quickly. Other than that, swimming (in the morning or after work, or at lunch) is a great workout with little stress on your body.

 

[Ashereng]

At most plants that I've been in, you are only allowed to walk. Jogging, running is not allowed - safety hazard.

I'd stick to the stairs if you want more strenous. Walking the long way around if you want mild.

 

[TheTick]

I have only worked at one place that didn't have a cadre of regular noontime walkers out for exercise. That place was in a real bad neghborhood.

I bet once you start, others will join.

 

[epoisses]

I wouldn't like to be paying anybody for jogging around or surfing the internet or anything else non work-related during the working day.
If you think you need exercise, do it in your spare time.
That doesn't take away that exercise is obviously a good thing, which makes you perform better at work. I try to take my mountainbike to work every day and have a good (2-3 hours) ride at least once a week.

 

[dbooker630]

I had no choice but to start walking my 1/4 square mile plant when my power cart broke down. It's been two years now so I guess I'm better off. It definitely helps to work in the plant, plus I cannot sit at a computer all day!

 

[HDS]

If breaks are o.k. there should be no problem with a walk. At most places smoking breaks are O.K. so why not fresh air breaks? Like the Tick said take a buddy or your boss with you. If there are real sticklers about breaks try some "walking meetings".

I have often found that in the afternoon my mind slows down and a quick walk around the plant gets things working again so that 15 minute break saved me an hour of low productivity.

 

[UcfSE]

You can also keep some adjustable dumb bells near your desk. Some curls and presses will get your blood flowing pretty nicely.

 

[bradpa77]

Thanks everyone for your ideas and opinions. I really appreciate it.

I decided that I'm going to start walking at home after work. I am just going to make it a priority to get in the exercise at home on my own time. I am not going to use company time to officially exercise. I will, however, go for a short stroll (5-10 minutes) around the plant when I need some fresh air or when I just need to get away from my desk. Plus, I am going to utilize some of everyone's suggestions about taking stairs or the long way to my destinations. I will try to burn some extra calories by extending my walking during regular activities. Thanks again everyone.

 

[ProEDesigner00]

Brad

After being told to change my life's habbits I begain to walk for 20 mins after eating a light lunch (truely helped the afternoon attitudes, made it go alot quicker) I then went to a gym and worked out for about 90 mins with a work out partner (a coworker that allready was a member) I droped 30 lbs and my attitude and confidence is sky rocketting. My attempts at self employment are coming around as well I believe the attitude adjustment is the reason for this. I am alot more pleasent of a person!

 

[Heckler]

Every Monday at 1500 hrs three of us from engineering go mtn biking rain or shine. This has been happening for six years every week. We also try to commute via bike at least two times a week. We have this monday mtn bike ride set on MS Outlook as an "offsite stress reduction" meeting. Management have been very respectful by not setting meetings during this time. The only thing they look down on us is bringing our bikes in the office. They bought bike lockers for us and had them installed last week. That will be hard to leave my $5K mtn bike out of arms reach .

We have break time walkers, & lunch time runners.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 5.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
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_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience every time.

 

[lewtam]

If you need to go for a walk just to get the blood flowing, take a clipboard with you. Nobody suspects a man with a clipboard of slacking off and 9 times out of 10 you'll see, hear or think of something that you should make a note of.

Everybody wins.

LewTam Inc.
Petrophysicist, Leading Hand, Natural Horseman, Prickle Farmer, Crack Shot, Venerable Yogi.

 

[heieup]

I regularly used to get out of my office and walk round plant for 40 mins or so after lunch (at least 2 times a week). There were three major benefits I got from this for my work.

One I got some fresh air, got my brain working again after lunch and personally, got some exercise.

Two, I used this time to catch up with the lads on plant who worked for me, find out how they were getting on and pick up on any issues first hand.

Finally, I found it helped me think. When I have a pressing issue I find it helps to get out of the office and outside for a bit to let your mind work on its own. I have come up with some of my best solutions to pressing issues after a brisk walk round plant rather than sitting inside staring at the walls.