Office Chair Inner Thigh Exercise

If you're one of the many Americans who works in an office environment, you'll likely have to be seated for most of your workday. Fortunately, it's possible to work out in the office, performing various different leg exercises while sitting at your desk.

Read more: 9 Yoga Poses You Can Do at Your Desk Right Now

Many Americans live sedentary lifestyles. For some, this is further aggravated by the nature of their jobs. According to an April 2013 study in the Journal of Preventative Medicine, office workers spend two-thirds of their work hours sitting down.

Sitting like this isn't good for your health. According to this study and a January 2013 study in the Journal of Applied Ergonomics, it increases your risk for various conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and musculoskeletal disorders.

Many workplaces have implemented different types of workspaces to counteract these issues. This has led to the integration of more ergonomic or more active workspaces. For example, standing and height-adjustable desks have become increasingly popular. Even swapping out office chairs for exercise balls has become more common.

However, not every workplace has made such changes. If yours still requires you to spend most of your time seated in an office chair, you're likely trying to figure out ways you can become healthier and more active.

There are countless exercises you can do while seated, from dumbbell curls and lateral shoulder raises to yoga poses. However, it can be much more challenging to think of leg exercises to do at your desk — you usually are seated, after all.

Fortunately, doing leg exercises while sitting at your desk can be easier than you might think. From stretches to resistance exercises, the American Council on Exercise recommends doing a range of different inner thigh exercises at your desk.

Read more: Chair Exercises to Strengthen Legs

Move 1. Resistance Band Hip Abduction Exercise

Using an exercise band for resistance can help strengthen your inner thighs, like in this ACE-recommended hip abduction exercise.

1. Wrap an exercise band around your legs, just above your knees.
2. Sit with your back straight against the chair with your knees bent. Keep your feet flat on the floor.
3. Slowly move your knees away from each other and gradually bring them back together.
4. Repeat 8-to-10 times.

Move 2. Seated Jumping Jacks

Seated jumping jacks are one of the best inner thigh exercises at your desk. They can also help work your outer thighs.

• Sit forward in your seat, so that you're perched on the edge.
• Extend your arms and legs out to the sides.
• Open your legs as wide as possible, then bring them together. Once they're together, squeeze your knees together.
• Repeat 8-to-10 times.

Move 3. Seated Squats

The ACE also recommends a modified squat you can do from the edge of your chair.

• Sit forward in your seat, so that you're perched on the edge.
• Without using your arms, slowly rise up so that you come to a standing position.
• Lower yourself back down slowly.
• Repeat 8-to-10 times.

There are even more options for inner thigh workouts at your desk if you can stand and incorporate your chair into your workout. Standing chair exercises include Bulgarian split squats, toe taps and various types of stretches.