I'm not sure if doing exercises is good to do right at your work desk or not, actually. Of course it's a personal preference thing, but it seems like we all spend so much time sitting and working that it would be better to use exercise as an excuse to get up and away. But I do understand (all too well) the time constraints of today's world, and all too often there's just no time to "get up and away" from work, and so "at the desk" exercises become an evil necessity. And hey, if you're gonna sit at a desk all day it's obviously better to do something instead of nothing, right? Right.

And on the bright side, exercising at your desk can be great when it's a supplement to a more complete fitness plan, or if it's your way of getting started and easing into a plan that involves real activity not too far down the road. And another good thing about desk exercises: they can help alleviate guilt by giving you an immediate outlet to burn some energy if you cave and have one of those calorie-bomb muffins at the morning meeting.

So enough pros and cons, here it is: 5 easy exercises you can do right at your desk:

• Side Stretches These can help blood flow and keep your spine flexible and in good alignment.
  
• Arm Raises Doing arm raises several times throughout the day can not only get your blood pumping (depending on how energetically you do them) but can also help battle common work-related issues like carpal tunnel and weight gain. Raise them over your head, to the sides, and/or behind you.
• Leg Lifts These are the kind you get to stay in your chair for: While sitting simply march in place, or lift your legs straight out in front of you. Work your calves by lifting your feet up onto your toes several times.
• Butt Squeezes The article mentions that this move is your best bet in preventing "office chair spread," a common ailment of the office worker's backside that you definitely do want to prevent (it ain't pretty).
• Relieve stress with stretches. Stress will naturally be relieved by many of these other moves, but stretching and relaxing will make you feel even better. Gently stretch your neck, and then roll your head slowly around. Also try putting your arms out in front of you and bending your hands up and down at the wrist several times.

Via Lifehacker