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What Are Exercise Snacks and Should You be Doing Them?

What Are Exercise Snacks And Should You Be Doing Them?

by Peter Batz, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT, AIB-VRC1 Comment

I know what you are thinking, and no, this article is not about protein bars and shakes or even fruits and vegetables. The term “exercise snacks” has grown in popularity in recent years, and in this blog, we’ll take a closer look at exactly what this term means and break down its benefits. Here’s what you need to know!

The term “exercise snacks” refers to brief bouts of exercise that can be performed throughout the day. Usually, these “exercise snacks” last only a minute or two but are high-intensity. These activities can help to reduce the amount of time we are sedentary throughout the day, increase our overall energy, and help to improve our overall health. It’s important to note that this isn’t a once-a-week thing. It is recommended to perform these regularly, typically 2-3x each day of the week.

Research has shown that performing exercises snacks can have many positive results, such as:

  • Increasing flexibility
  • Improving endurance
  • Improving strength
  • Improving cardiac performance
  • Reducing blood sugar levels

What does exercise snacking look like? Here are a few activities you can try for yourself:

  • Climbing a few flights of stairs
  • Performing chair squats at your desk
  • Lunges
  • Jumping jacks
  • Push-ups
  • Planks
  • Lunges
  • Quick walking

The main thing to remember is to get up and move every day! If you experience aches or pain when performing any of the activities above, contact your local Athletico to be connected with one of our movement experts. Our team will assess your condition and provide their expert recommendation on the best treatment option for your needs so you can get back to moving pain-free.

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*Per federal guidelines, beneficiaries of plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VHA and other federally funded plans are not eligible for free assessments.

The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.

References:
https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/personal-trainers-go-to-exercises/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/exercise-snacks/

Peter Batz is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in orthopedics, vestibular therapy, headache/TMD, dry needling, ACL rehabilitation, and injury prevention. Peter graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. He also completed an orthopedic residency through Evidence in Motion and obtained his Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS). He strives to get his patients back to performing at their peak levels so they can enjoy life to the fullest.

1 Comment

  1. Shirley w Kroot

    I have been going to the Athletico on Rt 47 in Huntley for issues since 2017. Kelly Todd is the best!

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