Crunched up over your desk, feeling the strain from your slouch? It sounds strange but sitting at your desk all day can be harmful to your health - sitting is the new smoking! Office ergonomics is a hot topic as more and more people suffer from lower back pain, strained and tight muscles. Not only that, but the negative effects of sitting include increased blood pressure, decreased cognition and shorter life expectancy.
In the UK, according to the National Health Service (NHS) about 150 million working days are lost each year because of lower back pain and it is the second most common cause of long-term sickness, after stress. Hong Kong is no different, and the Labour Department address the common condition with a ‘Work Related Neck and Back Pain’ pamphlet, which provides useful tips to prevent and correct the condition - http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/oh/Neck.pdf
The most common causes of back pain are strained muscles or ligaments, wear and tear, bad posture and stress. Modifying your work station to ensure your keyboard is in a comfortable position and investing in a supportive chair are good steps to creating a better work environment- but what about the way you are sitting yourself, can this have a negative impact?
Dawnna Wayburne, Head Pilates and GYROTONIC ® Master Trainer at Iso Fit said: “Often when people come into our studio with back complaints we generally find that they don’t know how to sit properly. If this is the case and they are sitting this way at their desk for eight hours a day, it stands to reason that their sitting posture is a significant contributing factor to their problem. What we teach, through Pilates and Gyrotonic, is how to correct posture by improving body alignment and building core and back muscles so that they are strong enough to sit upright all day.”
Dawnna continued: “Most people tend to slouch forward or back when they are sitting down, unaware that there is a set of “sitting bones” in their posterior that they should directly place their weight on. We aim to make people postural aware and know where these “sitting bones” are. At first it feels unnatural but once the muscles of the "inner unit” strengthen then it becomes more comfortable and the benefits become clear.”
Using your lunch break to take a Pilates or Gyrotonic class is a good way to get you up to make you more aware about your posture and to improve it. With the focus being on form and efficiency rather than working up a sweat, you can finish your class and head straight back to the office without feeling hot and sweaty. Iso Fit runs daily classes in both Mat and Reformer Pilates. Private tuition as well as Rehabilitation exercise are also available if there is a particular ache or pain you want to focus on.
For a limited time Iso Fit is offering an amazing KICKSTART deal to all new client who sign up from from 1st Jan 2017-31st. This promotion offers up to a 25% discount off Iso Fit's normal prices- making it the perfect way to get back into the swing of things! Head over to Iso Fit in Central Hong Kong and get involved with some Pilates and Gyrotonic Exercise in 2017!
About Iso Fit
Established in 1998, Iso Fit offers Pilates and Gyrotonic® exercise in a light, safe and comfortable environment; this is a one-of-a-kind studio that has been meticulously designed to accommodate the needs of each client.
Iso Fit is unique in Asia as is one of only a handful Master Trainer Centres worldwide. Quality instruction is the most important element of client satisfaction and continued progress and Iso Fit’s instructors are some of the most experienced trainers in Hong Kong. In fact Iso Fit trains instructors to be become qualified in Pilates and Gyrotonic® and offer regular training courses throughout the year. Whether you are a beginner or would like to train others in Pilates or Gyrotonic®, Iso Fit’s friendly environment of positive energy welcomes everyone whatever the level.
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