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Are You Being NEAT Outside the Gym?
When we talk about NEAT, we don’t mean how tidy you are (although putting back those weights it’s just as important!). We’re talking about Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT), put simply the energy we use for everything that is outside sports-like exercise.
“Nonexercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy expended for everything that is not sleeping, eating, or sports-like exercise.”
Dr James Levine
So if you’re in a job where you’re on your feet all day then you’re probably already clocking up some serious mileage, but for the rest of the work force who are chained to their desks answering those pesky emails, increasing our activity levels outside the gym can be a challenge!
But I go to the gym 5 times a week! That’s pretty NEAT right?
Sure is! But if we break that down you’re in the gym around 3-4% of your week, so how do we use NEAT to help us tackle this conundrum I hear you ask?
Here are a few examples of getting some extra steps in to add to the great work you do:
- Take the stairs not the lift! If you work on the 28th floor, then don’t crawl to your desk… Get the lift to the 22nd and walk from there!
- If you get the tube/train/bus to work, why not get off a stop before and walk (make sure you wrap up though)
- Try to organise meetings outside the office at the local coffee shop/café
- Try to make time and physically go shopping instead of shopping online
- Walk the dog that extra time around the block
Small changes, BIG results
The list goes on… But you get the point! You may think a few extra steps a day wouldn’t amount to much of a calorie burn, but studies have shown that individuals who are sedentary outside of the gym could burn up to 350 calories of energy expenditure extra if they were to adopt the same NEAT activities of their active and therefore leaner counterparts.
Conclusion
So in conclusion, we shouldn’t rely on the gym as a main source of activity. Including the above activities along with your programme here at Foundry will not only boost your energy expenditure for the week, but could also have long term health benefits such as; improving your mental health and reducing risks of serious illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
That’s Pretty NEAT right?
If you have any questions on the above or would like some advice on how we could help you with your fitness goal, don’t hesitate, visit our gym and try one of our small group personal training sessions.
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