People have been getting more and more of their social activity from online gaming during the pandemic.
Being able to quickly and easily connect with fellow players from around the world is a huge draw for people missing that personal connection. However, sitting and gaming for long hours at a time has also contributed to significant weight issues. More than 227 million Americans are playing video games regularly, a sharp increase over 2020’s figure, which reflects their growing popularity as a mainstream form of entertainment.
Games like Call of Duty always command a high player count for online matches, but they’re not the only ones who have prospered during the pandemic. Online poker saw a huge increase in traffic in April 2020 and has continued to grow as people adjusted to their new online lives. Also, games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons gave people a much-needed distraction from the new stresses that were thrust upon them. Whatever game you play, online sessions can last for hours, keeping you still and sedentary for long periods of time. This can have big implications on overall wellbeing.
Online gaming often provides a cognitive workout but not a physical one. The benefits of online gaming on your memory, decision making, and learning capacity can be positive. Whether that is learning new maps in Call of Duty or remembering the poker hand ranking charts for a session of the popular card game, you need your mind sharp and reflexes quick to succeed in online matches. This starts with a strong and healthy body, allowing your mind to focus as you game without small pains or discomfort from too long sitting down.
Fortunately, we’ve got a few excellent workout ideas that will help keep you moving and healthy for those long online gaming sessions.
Seated Scissors
While sitting on a chair with a straight back and engaged core (suck in your belly while keeping your back straight, extend your legs straight in front of you until they are as flat as a poker table. From there, you should open and close your legs. This will work your core, hip flexors, and thighs and take a fair bit of effort to maintain the position. Perfect for when a cutscene is playing, a game is loading, or after you’ve folded a hand in poker.
Wall Sit
Source: This classic exercise is a favorite of personal trainers around the world for a reason. It doesn’t require any equipment other than a wall and can be done in 30 to 60 second bursts. With your back flat against a wall, lower your upper body until your legs are at a 90-degree angle. Your knees should be above your ankles and even with your hips, engaging your quads. This seemingly easy exercise is surprisingly intense, so lasting even a minute in this position will be a feat in itself. Another great one to do during cutscenes or load screens. For extra effort, place a dumbbell on your lap as you hold the position.
Push Ups
Stationary exercises are great for toning up, but if you want to build muscle you need to move a little bit. Push ups are a classic for a reason; even without any equipment, you can still gain plenty of muscle on your chest and triceps. For a focus on your chest, spread your arms a bit wider. If you want to focus on your arms, bring them in to closer than shoulder width. Either way, you want to maintain a straight line from the top of your head to your toes. Lower your body in one motion until your chest is close to the ground and then push up with a single motion. You can perform the motion on your knees if you aren’t quite ready for a full push up yet, but keep at it and you’ll manage it over time.
If you’re wanting more info on how to fuel yourself to keep your mind and body sharp, we have the best nutrition tips for student athletes that will keep you going through long training or gaming sessions.
Article written by Rachael Jacobs
Exclusively for ZPhysique