HUNGRY FOR A WORKOUT? HEALTH HAVE A SNACK! on Thursday
Potato chips; It’s not enough to swap makhanas for go for short bursts of exercise, aka ‘snack workouts’, instead, to keep yourself fit
Not just healthy snacks, but ‘exercise snacks’ or snack workouts are set to be one of the top trends for the year ahead. A worldwide study by the Health & Fitness Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine states that the trend will dominate the health and fitness industry in 2023. Experts tell us how we can make the best of it.
WHAT’S THE NEW SNACK ON THE RACK?
A creative approach to exercising,
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK (FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY) meals also count. “These also help in reducing the mid-afternoon energy crashes and reduce the desire to have caffeine in the second half of the day,” adds Kakiya. inspired by High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Sprint Interval Training (SIT), snack workouts are gaining momentum in the postpandemic era when people are more conscious of their health. “As people get back to working from offices, more corporates are approaching me to conduct these sessions, where I teach stretching, heel raises, neck rotations and desk-yoga to the professionals,” says Ayesha Billimoria, an athlete and fitness influencer.
An emerging concept, the mini workout could include standing, walking around a room, clenching fists, rotating the neck and taking deep breaths. These can be done in about two minutes, multiple times a day.
IDEAL FOR BUSY BEES
These tidbits of exercise are ideal for those who are not able to make it to the mat or sweat it out at the gym. They do not need special shoes or gear and can be designed as per an individual’s needs and environment. “Professionals who spend continuous hours at desks, with shoulders shrugging inwards, eyes glued to the screen, and who are barely moving around in the day can do snack exercises,” says Miten Kakiya, fitness coach. He also recommends horizon breaks, where you walk away from your work desk, go stare outside the window into the horizon and gaze into the distance. Postprandial walks or 10minute walks after lunch and dinner
BUILDING MOMENTUM
For those who find the idea of starting workout routines overwhelming, snack workouts can be a good starting point. “My mini workouts are mainly focused on the areas that I need work on, like some asanas where I’m progressing. I pick those and keep trying them in small intervals throughout the day. Whatever I feel at the moment, I follow. My mini workouts are really about having fun and just releasing any tension and tightness that I might be holding in my body,” says Santoshi Shetty, a yoga teacher and influencer, adding that she uses whatever props are available at the moment; could be the wall, bed, stairs, table top, or pillows.
BENEFITS APLENTY
My mini workouts are mainly focused on the areas that I need work on, like some asanas where I’m progressing. I pick those and try them in small intervals.
Snack workouts, according to experts, can benefit by increasing activity levels and breaking up sedentary time during the day. “They can give you the energy you need to be able to push through a hectic day, stay focused, and get everything done,” says Dr Anurag Aggarwal, Faridabad-based orthopaedic, explaining that these sessions can release endorphins, a kind of feel-good hormone, and reduce levels of stress and anxiety.