Good Game, Good Health: Gamer Exercise You Can Do Today

Being a gamer often means sitting or standing for long periods if you have a standing desk. This leads to stiff joints, aching muscles, and a whole lotta discomfort. You may dominate the game, but your body shouldn’t suffer. Trust me—I’ve been there—it is not worth it. This is why I will list some exercises you can do to help ease the pain and win in-game and real life, my fellow gamer. 

Let’s face it: sitting down is the way to go when gaming on a PC, console, or mobile device. Hours of sitting can lead to lower back pain, but a few stretches can help. One quick one you can accomplish is the spinal twist, which can be done on your chair. Sit on the ledge of your chair with your feet flat on the floor and use your hand to hold the back of your chair to twist. Keep your back straight and hold it for 15-20 seconds; do the other side. If you hear cracks and relief, just know you are fine. 

This stretch improves mobility and relieves tension caused by poor posture during long gaming sessions. 

“Ah, my neck hurts.” Familiar? Looking at the screen intensely can place strain on your neck. To loosen up, try the chin tuck. Okay, simply sit or stand with your back straight, then slowly pull your head backward while keeping your chin tucked. Once you reach as far as possible, you can push your head forward and tuck your chin. The key thing to remember for this exercise is to do it slowly; do it too fast, and you might further strain your neck. This exercise helps align your neck and reduces the strain caused by looking down at screens for too long.

From Jecamartinez official GIPHY

Your wrists are abused, especially in fast-paced games that require you to flick left and right. To keep them in top shape, do some wrist flexor stretches. Extend one arm in front of you, palm down, and gently pull back on your fingers with your opposite hand. Hold for 15-20 seconds, then switch sides. This can help prevent stiffness and reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, allowing you to keep your reaction times sharp, provided your eyes can keep up. 

Sitting for long periods isn’t great for your booty. Weak glutes can lead to back pain, so try some seated glute squeezes. Squeeze your butt muscles as tightly as you can, hold for 5-10 seconds, then relax. Do this 10-15 times. This exercise strengthens the muscles and improves circulation, helping you sit comfortably through those marathon gaming sessions. It is something that I need to do more myself, honestly. 

Have you lost track of time? Don’t know when you last stretched? Don’t worry—set alarms in respectable time frames with the Xiaomi Watch 2 so that you will remember to stretch and keep your body in top shape. With the incorporation of smart devices, transform your gaming experience entirely with a healthy body!