If you want to get some pep in your step then it’s time to change up your work routine, leave the car at home, skip the bus and bike to work. A study has investigated the self-rating quality of life within commuting. The study showed that those who cycled to work had the greatest quality of life and high satisfaction with their health. Cyclist proved to be twice as happy as any other commuters, including those who walk! 

This higher quality of life can be deduced from cyclists receiving more benefits from their choice of transport. Cycling to work benefits both physical and mental health, which is made greater by the activity being completed outdoors. Beyond mental and physical health benefits, cycling to work has practical benefits. This includes having a larger control of their environment as they don’t have to wait on (the always late) public transport, they are able to slip past the banked up cars and don’t have to worry about not being able to get a park. And while all this is happening they’re saving money and the environment. 

It is no wonder that cyclists are the happiest commuters. Though we know that it’s not always easy to cycle to work, sometimes you live a bit too far away or where you live is not very cycle-friendly. But if you still want to add some pep to your step, try skipping short car trips when they could easily be cycled or cycle outside of peak times so it’s safer on the road. There is always a way to stay active and quit the sit. 

Tour de Office is proud to announce that we have partnered Wahoo and FE Sportsenhancing your in-office cycling experience with the all-powerful KICKR CORE.

If you’re not a cycling enthusiast, you may not know what a bike trainer is. Maybe you only jump on the bike once a year for the best biking event there is (hint: we are talking about Tour de Office) or just like to bike around with your kids up and down the street. So let me tell you what a bike trainer is and then let you know why everyone (even your grandma) needs one.

A bike trainer is a piece of equipment you can whack on your bike so that you’re able to cycle stationary. This could be in your garage, outside on the lawn or maybe in front of the television for some guilt-free TV time. The best part is, while you’re thinking ‘I should really clean the garage’ or ‘I need to mow the lawn’, the bike trainer will be measuring your speed, distance and power. And if you’re as lucky as Tour de Office and get to use a Wahoo trainer, you’ll find they’re extremely accurate and very quiet so you won’t have to bother turning the subtitles on.

Bike trainers can be used to help you work on your technique or for a warm up before a race when there is limited space. It can help you fit in a quick session when you’re short on time but can’t skip today’s workout (because you may have already skipped yesterdays…) 

But just so we are all on the same page, bike trainers are not just for professional athletes or avid cyclists. They’re for anyone who has or wants a bike. If you like riding either as a sport, a form of exercise or just to relax, bike trainers will allow you to ride your bike every day. If it’s too hot, ride inside! If it’s too cold, slap on that trainer! If you just can’t be stuffed to leave the house, then jump on that bike and get pedalling.

It’s winter, which means it’s cold, possibly snowing, you wish you could eat a few pounds of food and hibernate in your cozy bed. Sadly, you’re not a bear who doesn’t need to go to work and pay the bills. Yet getting out of bed to go to work seems too much of an effort when it’s so cold outside, you want to pretend you don’t have to exercise in winter. Maybe you just won’t exercise, it’s too cold, what would you even be able to do? 

Well, I’m here to burst your bubble and let you know about all the wonderful exercises you can do in the winter. And to make it worse, most of them are free which means you have no excuse to order in food while you stay in the comfort of your bed re-watching Harry Potter for the hundredth time. 

First off, make sure you’re doing some stretches before you start exercising (these you can do in bed). You want to get your body warm and ready for some exercise. 

If you’ve got some spare money lying around, you could consider signing up to a gym even if just for winter so no matter sun, rain or snow, you’ll be able to fit in your workout without getting frostbite. Or you could try out your local pool as many are heated or will have an indoor option, that way you can swim laps in what you can pretend is an oversized bathtub. 

But maybe you’re a team sports person yet can’t commit to the cold outdoors that football and soccer require. Luckily there are many indoor sports options like basketball, netball and volleyball. 

Though maybe you’re using all and any savings you have on the heater this weekend so it would make sense to make the most of your warm house. So to help you save your pennies and keep you active and healthy through winter, I’ve researched the best exercises you can do at home with equipment you may already have or just some clear floor space.

Pull out your old skipping rope and get jumping. Skipping for a few minutes make you think you’ve been running for the last ten minutes. But maybe skipping isn’t your thing or you can’t find your skipping rope. Chances are though you have a phone or a computer (how else would you be reading this?) and those wonderful pieces of technology have all sorts of workout videos you can follow that can all be done in your lounge room. 

It might be winter but unless you’re a bear, you have no excuse but to get up, get moving and quit the sit.

There is nothing better than a good laugh, a bit of a giggle to put the hop in your step. Fitting in a laugh can be hard though and not because the only jokes you know are about chickens crossing a road. Maybe you work in an isolated office and don’t get much contact with your co-workers. Or maybe your schedule is so busy you’re not sure if you’ll have time to eat, let alone laugh. But below is the excuse you needed to slot in some time for laughter.

Laughing can boost productivity but also help you appear more competent. Studies have shown that a cheesy dad joke at work can help you wiggle your way into the hearts of your colleagues while boosting your performance. Even if you’re not the joke telling type, laughing along with the workplace comedian can help ease your stresses and create higher efficiency. 

It is important to make sure you don’t get carried away with your jokes. Inappropriate or bad jokes can knock you down on the totem pole. Best to play it safe.

So next time you need a favour, why not start with a good joke? You’re not only helping yourself, but your team as well.