Combat the effects of a sedentary work life. Discover 5 simple and effective ways to boost your circulation and improve your well-being with a desk foot rest and exerciser

Whether you're working at a desk or relaxing in front of the TV, prolonged sitting can lead to poor circulation—causing discomfort, swelling, and fatigue in your legs and feet.

This happens because your feet and legs remain inactive for extended time.

Below, we explore five practical methods to boost blood flow and circulation, along with top product recommendations to help you get started.

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1.  Engage in Active Stretching

A desk foot rest or exerciser can be a great tool for facilitating gentle stretches throughout your workday. Stretching helps to prevent muscle stiffness and keeps your blood from pooling in your lower extremities.

The ActiveWork 2-in-1 Foot Rest Pro comes with a unique foot arch support design and functions as both an ergonomic footrest and an under-desk exerciser. It helps reduce leg fatigue, stimulate circulation, and keep your lower body active in a subtle, effective way—perfect for work, TV time, gaming, or reading.

Simple Stretches to Try:

• Calf Stretches: Place your foot on the arch of the Foot Rest Pro and gently press down to feel a stretch in your calf. Hold for 20-30 seconds and repeat on the other side.
• Ankle Flexes: Place your foot on the arch of the Foot Rest Pro,  raise your heel, point your toes downwards as far as is comfortable, then flex them upwards towards your shins. Repeat this several times.

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2.  Encourage Natural Movement with a Rocking Footrest

A rocking footrest, also known as a foot rocker, encourages a natural back-and-forth movement. This gentle rocking action engages your calf muscles, which play a crucial role in pumping blood from your lower legs back up to your heart.

A great example of this type of exerciser is the Humanscale Foot Machine Foot Rocker. It's designed to promote gentle movement and provides a stable yet dynamic platform for your feet.

Tips for Using a Rocking Footrest:

• Alternate Your Feet: While you can rock both feet together, try alternating them to mimic the motion of walking.
• Incorporate Ankle Rotations: While your feet are on the rocker, periodically lift one foot and rotate your ankle in clockwise and counter-clockwise circles.
• Use it as a Standard Footrest: Even when you're not actively rocking, a footrest helps to improve your posture by ensuring your feet are flat and supported, which in itself aids circulation.

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3.  Stimulate Blood Flow with a Massaging Footrest

Some desk foot exercisers come equipped with a textured surface designed to massage the soles of your feet. This not only feels great but also provides an excellent way to stimulate blood flow. The pressure points on your feet are connected to various parts of your body, and massaging them can have a holistic effect on your circulation.

The Mind Reader Comfy Adjustable Height Foot Rest  features a textured surface and allows for angle adjustments, giving you a customized and comfortable experience.

Maximizing the Benefits of a Massaging Footrest:

• Roll Your Feet: Gently roll your feet back and forth over the textured surface.
• Apply Gentle Pressure: Focus on areas that feel particularly tense or tired.
• Go Shoeless (If Possible): For the most direct massage, slip off your shoes for a few minutes while using the footrest.

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4.  Embrace Continuous Motion with a Pedal Exerciser

Another effective way to significantly improve circulation is through consistent, low-impact movement. An under-desk pedal exerciser is perfect for this. These mini-bikes allow you to pedal at your own pace, simulating the motion of cycling without ever leaving your chair.

A popular option is the DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser . Its quiet magnetic resistance ensures you won't disturb your colleagues, and its low-profile design fits comfortably under most desks.

How to Make the Most of Your Pedal Exerciser:

• Start Slow: Begin with 15-20 minute sessions at a low resistance. As you get more comfortable, you can gradually increase the duration and resistance level.
• Set a Schedule: Try to incorporate pedaling into your daily routine. For example, you could pedal during your morning email check or while on a conference call.
• Focus on a Smooth Cadence: Aim for a steady, continuous pedaling motion. This is more beneficial for circulation than short bursts of intense effort.

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5.  Alternate Between Sitting and Standing Support

For those with sit-stand desks, a memory-form foot rest & exerciser can play a dual role. While sitting, it provides all the circulation-boosting benefits we've discussed. When you transition to standing, it can be used as an anti-fatigue mat, encouraging subtle movements and reducing the strain on your feet and legs from standing on a hard surface.

The ActiveWork 2-in-1 Foot Rest Pro comes easy again. It is built with heavy-duty memory foam and could be used for both sitting and standing.  The unique arch bump design supports your foot arch comfortably while you sit or stand.

Using Your Foot Exerciser with a Standing Desk:

• Shift Your Weight: While standing on the footrest, gently shift your weight from side to side.
• Perform Calf Raises: Use the arch bump of the footrest to perform calf raises, lifting your heels up and down.
• Maintain a Neutral Stance: The slight elevation can help you maintain a more ergonomic and comfortable standing posture.

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Above are our top recommendations to boost circulation while sitting or standing.  Depending on your use cases, it could be a portable foot rest for quick stretching or a heavy-duty foot pedaling machine for continuous exercises.

Whichever option you choose, each one can significantly improve circulation, ease discomfort, and make your desk time more active—and a lot healthier. So, don’t wait and get one today!

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home office improve circulation standig desk

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