- Basic principles
- Set of exercises
- Recommendations
This may sound strange now, but office plankton existed even in the Soviet Union. And accordingly, people who spent most of their working time in offices led a sedentary lifestyle. This led to problems of excess weight and the search for remedies to eliminate it. Especially for this, in the 80s of the 20th century, military doctor, candidate of medical sciences and part-time nutritionist V. I. Vorobyov created a set of exercises, which was initially called “hidden” gymnastics, and later received the name of its inventor.
History of creation
Losing weight without worries
The set of these exercises has no analogues, although its idea seems to be in the air. Vorobyov’s hidden gymnastics is so simple and effective that it was twice recognized as the highest achievement in the field of sanitary and hygienic education at the USSR Exhibition of Economic Achievements .
V.I. Vorobyov is a well-known developer of health-improving methods in the Soviet Union, a candidate of medical sciences, a military doctor and nutritionist who held high positions. In the early 80s, his attention came to employees of departments and research institutes who, due to prolonged sitting, developed diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The scientist wondered how to solve the problem of physical inactivity for people who sit at a desk throughout their working hours.
The solution turned out to be simple, like everything ingenious. V.I. Vorobyov suggested that every worker in the intellectual sphere perform a six-minute complex of hidden gymnastics every hour, without getting up from the table. Special exercises were created with the expectation that they would provide a fairly high load on many muscle groups, and at the same time, would not attract the attention of others.
Vorobyov’s gymnastics became widespread in the USSR; it was practiced by many office workers, overcoming the negative factors of their sedentary work and improving their health. And its author received all-Union recognition.
The harm of physical inactivity to the body
Physical inactivity
The human body is designed for a mobile, physically active life. If a person does not use the functions given by nature, then they gradually fade away. Without physical activity, muscles atrophy, without intellectual activity, the mind weakens. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to the development of a number of pathologies in the body:
- The internal surfaces of the arteries lose their ability to withstand sclerotic changes, resulting in the development of atherosclerosis, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. Physical inactivity is one of the main causes of early mortality from myocardial infarction and cerebral stroke.
- Blood stagnation occurs, leading to varicose veins, the blood thickens, and the risk of blood clots increases.
- Obesity develops, which negatively affects all organs and systems, creates a dangerous load on the joints, and contributes to the development of diabetes.
- Any physical activity causes a state of stress - shortness of breath, sky-high pulse, high blood pressure.
- Poor posture, joint problems appear, osteoporosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system develop.
- The nervous system suffers, chronic fatigue syndrome, neuroses, and sleep disorders develop.
- The functions of the endocrine system organs are disrupted.
- Libido decreases, potency deteriorates in men and the ability to conceive in women.
- Immunity decreases, causing the body to become defenseless against infections and cancer.
Be sure to read: An effective way to lose weight is water aerobics
Attention! In terms of its destructive power for the body, physical inactivity can be compared to the most harmful habits, and if it is also combined with excess in eating, then this condition becomes not just harmful, but deadly for a person.
The benefits of hidden gymnastics
Sitting at a computer for eight hours leads to stagnation of venous blood in the legs and pelvic organs, causes eye fatigue, and due to an uncomfortable back position, pain appears in the spine. Workers have a desire to stretch their legs, but not every boss will approve of frequent physical exercise in the office. Vorobyov’s hidden gymnastics allows you to warm up and get your blood pumping without anyone noticing.
Physiologists recommend taking short breaks from working at the computer every hour. This prevents eye fatigue, increases energy and mood, and has a positive effect on work results. However, as a rule, only smoking employees enjoy the advantage of taking hourly breaks, while non-smokers, having no reason to leave often, are forced to sit at their workplace without leaving.
But physical inactivity lies in wait for office plankton not only at work. Traveling by public transport and in an elevator, modern household appliances, and walking distance to supermarkets make life less mobile even outside of offices. After spending the day at their work computer, keyboard and mouse workers move to their home laptop with almost no change in body position. Few people continue their working day in the gym; the vast majority prefer passive rest with the absorption of high-calorie food.
The result of such a sedentary lifestyle is excess weight and various health problems. Hidden gymnastics allows you to significantly increase physical activity and successfully lose weight without requiring time.
Six-minute complex
A six-minute set of exercises for weight loss, performed every hour, includes about 300 movements. In just an eight-hour working day, the total load will be 48 minutes and 2400 movements. And if you also take into account that you can do hidden gymnastics in transport, while sitting at a bus stop or in any other place, then this will already be an hour or more of physical activity a day. Vorobyov’s gymnastics, performed during the day for 6 minutes, fully replaces daily exercises in the gym.
Vorobyov’s gymnastics seems simple only at first glance. In fact, it gives a thorough load to the body. After the first day of classes, you can feel the soreness of all muscles, as if after a full workout. And it’s not for nothing that this complex is called Vorobyov’s gymnastics for weight loss, because it burns a considerable amount of calories. Combined with some dietary restrictions, this exercise will help you lose weight and strengthen your muscles.
Attention! The benefits of Vorobyov’s gymnastics are not limited to weight loss, it has a strong healing effect. Regularly performed exercises activate blood circulation, as a result, the supply of oxygen to all tissues and organs improves, and metabolism accelerates. Systematic exercise trains the heart and blood vessels, strengthens muscles, and develops stagnant joints. All organs and systems of the body begin to function better, the state of the nervous system also improves - lethargy goes away, mood improves, and optimism appears.
Basic principles
Lately, it has been increasingly said that with a modern sedentary lifestyle, Vorobyov’s gymnastics can become a real salvation when losing weight. Despite the fact that it was created in the last century, it has not lost its relevance even now.
The uniqueness of the set of exercises is that in just 6 minutes per hour with regular exercise you can get rid of excess weight and gradually strengthen the muscle frame of various parts of the body. Moreover, you can perform them literally anywhere: sitting at your desk at work, at home, at lunch, in transport, on vacation, in nature, etc. But how does it allow you to get results?
Despite the apparent simplicity of the exercises, they put stress on all muscle groups, working and warming them up. This leads to improved body contours and figure correction.
Please note that you will have to be distracted for 6 minutes of exercise every hour, and in this way you can gain 1.5-2 hours of a kind of interval training per day. Accordingly, you are guaranteed to consume calories and start the process of fat burning even with a sedentary lifestyle, which plays a huge role in losing weight.
And the most important value that Vorobyov’s hidden gymnastics has is the improvement of many body systems. First, frequent exercise increases blood flow. Accordingly, the tissues receive a sufficient amount of oxygen, which activates lipolysis (the breakdown of fat cells). The functioning of the heart improves, congestion in the spine and lower back is eliminated, and the muscles receive the necessary tone. And good health is a guarantee of excellent mood and high performance. And all these points also contribute to weight loss.
From the dossier. Vasily Ivanovich Vorobyov is a retired colonel of the medical service, who once graduated from the Military Medical Academy and served in the Navy. He held the posts of chief nutritionist of the USSR Armed Forces and chief physician of the hospital at the Academy of Sciences. Since 1987, several health centers have been operating in the country using his method. He has about 70 scientific papers, various inventions, and “The Revolutionary System of Nutrition and Health Improvement,” a book dedicated to the health of schoolchildren.
Set of exercises
Having decided to use Vorobyov’s gymnastics for weight loss, the main thing is not to abandon this idea in the first days. Before doing exercises every hour becomes a habit, you will have to overcome laziness and obstacles that may hinder you. You may have to endure muscle pain for the first few days. But when you get involved and develop a habit, you will practice with desire and pleasure. Moreover, the visible results of losing weight will increase your motivation.
Be sure to read: Simple and effective exercises for a flat stomach
All exercises are performed while sitting.
Exercises while sitting according to Vorobiev
- Let's start with the head. The first two exercises will strengthen the oval of the face and prevent the formation of a double chin. Straighten your back and slowly turn your head one way, then the other. Turn your head all the way, lingering a little in extreme positions, the shoulder girdle should remain motionless. In the first days, you will probably hear the crunching of your cervical vertebrae. Don't be alarmed, it will pass with time. If you suddenly feel pain in the vertebrae, then postpone performing this exercise until better times. Make 20 turns in each direction.
- Push your lower jaw forward, then extend your chin forward. The back should be straight, shoulders straightened and fixed. When stretching the chin, the neck muscles should tense, but the cords - thin ligaments under the skin that attach to the lower jaw - should not appear on it. Control this with your hand at first, because if you neglect this, the neck skin will constantly stretch. Perform the exercise slowly, fixing the position at the extreme point. Repeat the chin forward 40 times.
- Let's move on to the shoulders. Straighten your back, straighten your shoulders, lower your hands to your knees. While straining, try to bring your shoulder blades together, but do not raise your shoulders. You should feel your back muscles tighten and your pectoral muscles stretch. Do 40 repetitions.
- Let's work on our hands. Sit up straight, bend your elbows, pressing them to your body. Clench your fists as hard as you can, tensing all the muscles in your arms at the same time. Stay at the point of maximum tension for a few seconds. Perform 40 repetitions.
- Next we work the abdominal muscles. This exercise resembles the popular “vacuum”, only the breathing is different. Sit up straight, while slowly inhaling through your nose, pull in your stomach with all your might, as if trying to press the abdominal wall into the spine. Freeze for a few seconds in the extreme position, then slowly exhale through your mouth, relaxing your abdominal muscles. Do it 20 times.
- Let's move on to training the buttocks. Sit up straight, squeeze your buttocks as hard as you can, hold the point of maximum tension for a couple of seconds, then relax. This exercise of Vorobyov’s hidden gymnastics for weight loss works the muscles of the buttocks and thighs. Do 40 reps.
- We complete the complex by working on the shins. If you are wearing shoes with heels or thick soles, you need to take off your shoes. Straighten your back, place your shins vertically. Sharply lift your heels up without lifting your toes from the floor. Feel the tension in your calf muscles, pause at the top point, then lower your heels to the floor. Do 40 times.
- The starting position is the same, only now we raise the front of the feet, leaving the heels in place. Feel the tension in the muscles at the front of your shins. At the top point, hold for a couple of seconds. Repeat 40 times.
Be sure to read: Can you do cardio on an empty stomach? Exercise effectiveness
Do the exercises not mechanically, but thoughtfully; you should feel the tension of each muscle group being worked. If you use Vorobyov’s hidden gymnastics for weight loss, then to achieve results you will need to make some changes to your lifestyle, according to the recommendations of V.I. Vorobyov.
LiveInternetLiveInternet
How much time do you sit at your desk?
Do you have to work overtime?
You often hear from office workers: “Well, I’ll finish this report, clear away the rubble, and then I’ll go to the gym, the pool, maybe go for a run...”
But new work keeps appearing, competitors are pressing, bosses demand results, and there was still no time for physical education. But my back constantly hurts, my legs swell, and my eyes hurt in the evening. This is how the office lifestyle destroys our body year after year and accelerates its aging.
For several decades now, doctors have been sounding the alarm. According to their research, workers forced to sit for 8-10 hours a day literally ruin their health, running a serious risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer, diseases of the spine, heart, kidneys and early death.
It is interesting that an effective cure for this scourge was invented at a time when no one had heard of general physical inactivity and widespread computerization, and the very concept of “office plankton” had not yet come into use.
Gymnastics Vorobyov
In the USSR, caring for workers was part of propaganda. Those who grew up in those days probably remember how they “broadcast exercises” on the radio in the morning. In addition to gymnastics, many enterprises in the USSR held gymnastics at home for the entire team, which was broadcast on the All-Union radio at 11 o’clock.
For knowledge workers in the eighties of the last century, a set of exercises was developed that allows you to relax without leaving your desk. It serves as a preventive measure for many serious problems: vision impairment, memory impairment, spinal diseases, migraines, and even excess weight gain, the tendency to which appears during sedentary work.
The author of an unusual technique that has not lost its relevance to this day is Vasily Ivanovich Vorobyov, Candidate of Medical Sciences, retired colonel of the medical service. Professor Vorobyov’s gymnastics was so popular in Soviet times that it twice received the gold medal from the USSR Exhibition of Economic Achievements.
Invisible gymnastics exercises
Vorobyov’s hidden gymnastics does not require a long break from work or special conditions: you can practice on the way to work, right at your workplace, and take a few minutes away from housework. Just six minutes allocated every hour can work wonders, and the results of training are visible within a few days.
1. Raising your heels First remove high-heeled or thick-soled shoes. While sitting in a chair, raise your heels without lifting your toes off the floor. The legs are brought together and the back is straight. Repeat the exercise 40 times.
2. Raising your toes Also raise your toes 40 times without lifting your heels.
3. Buttocks This exercise can be done sitting, standing and even on the go. Rhythmically contract your gluteal muscles at least 40 times.
4. Abdomen Training the abdominal muscles in combination with breathing exercises can significantly tighten your abs in 3-4 approaches a day. Suck your stomach in as you inhale and relax as you exhale. The recommended number of repetitions is 15–20.
5. Back Back muscle training is available while sitting and standing. Bring your shoulder blades toward your spine 40 times in a row with your shoulders motionless.
6. Hands Clench and unclench your fists with your arms spread to the sides at shoulder level. This exercise will not only help you stretch your fingers after working on the computer, but will also give your back a rest. The main condition for performing this is straight posture. Repeat the exercise at least 40 times.
7. Head Rhythmic turns of the head 180 degrees: look to the right, look to the left. Repeat at least 40 times.
8. Chin With your back and shoulders motionless, stretch your chin forward. Repeating this exercise regularly 40 times per approach can significantly improve the contour of the face and reduce the risk of a double chin.
Other exercises you can do at your desk
1. Straighten up, pull your shoulders back and, strongly straining your back muscles, squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold this position for 4-6 seconds, then relax completely and breathe freely. Repeat 3-5 times.
2. Grab the seat from below with both hands and try to lift yourself up. Stay in this position for 3-4 seconds. Repeat 5-7 times.
3. Squeeze your gluteal muscles tightly and rise slightly as a result. Stay in this position for 4-6 seconds. Repeat 5-7 times. 4. Press your feet firmly into the floor. Stay in this position for 10–12 seconds. Repeat 5-7 times. 5. Place your hands on the table and press firmly on its surface. Maintain tension for 5-7 seconds, then relax. Repeat 3-5 times.
*** Vorobyov’s gymnastics in the workplace
Like any other office gymnastics, Vorobyov’s gymnastics requires regularity. Remember, if you practice Vorobyov’s method once a day, as many people mistakenly do, you will not achieve any results. 6 minutes every hour (and at least 5-6 hours at a time) - and nothing else. source
See also:
Quick check and diagnosis of the body at home
Strengthening your health at work: Neck exercises
Strengthening your health at work: Exercises for arms and shoulders
Biorhythms: how to overcome fatigue and increase productivity?
Recommendations
Attention! If you expect to lose weight by exercising 1-2 times for 6 minutes a day, then your hopes are in vain. Only when performing a complex of hidden gymnastics at least 6-8 times a day can you notice gradual weight loss.
When performing Vorobyov’s gymnastics for weight loss, the following conditions must be observed:
- Hidden gymnastics will increase your body's energy costs, however, if your daily diet covers them, then there will be no weight loss. To lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories than you expend. To do this, you should give up fatty, floury, and sweet foods. Replace sausages and processed foods with lean meat, confectionery with fruits, potatoes, rice, pasta with vegetables. Eat fish and dairy products. Avoid foods containing trans fats, white flour, chemical additives, large amounts of sugar and salt. Avoid fried and smoked foods, mayonnaise, sweet soda and packaged juice.
- Dietary restrictions will be easier to bear if you increase the number of meals to 5-6 times a day and reduce the portion size accordingly. Their approximate size is the volume of your fist. Gradually, the stomach adapts to small portions, and you will get used to this diet. This will help speed up your metabolism, and weight loss will go even faster.
- In order to quickly notice the results of losing weight, in addition to Vorobyov’s gymnastics, it is necessary to include other types of physical activity. Walking at a brisk pace, going up and down the stairs will enrich your motor mode on weekdays, and if you choose an active form of recreation on the weekends - hiking, cycling or skiing, sports games, swimming, then you will do the maximum for your weight loss and recovery.
- Another golden rule for losing weight is to drink enough clean water. Drink approximately 30 ml for each kg of body weight, this will help not to eat too much and provide the body with water, which is vital for its internal kitchen.
Vorobyov's hidden gymnastics leaves no room for excuses. To do it, you don’t need money, free time, sportswear, or company. This is the simplest and easiest way to lose weight and get healthier.
Comprehensive weight loss
Doing exercises will improve the physical condition and tone of your body. However, do not forget about a comprehensive approach to losing weight:
- Morning work-out;
- Energetic lifestyle;
- Balanced diet;
- Drinking regime.
- The right mental attitude
- Strength of will.
Every person will be able to lose weight if they firmly want it and make every effort, and then the reflection in the mirror will tell you “Thank you!”
THESE ARTICLES WILL HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT
Your feedback on the article:
( 523 ratings, average: 4.53 out of 5)