ERGO BREAK 04.02.25

Monitor Your Boot Condition

Work boots are essential to protect your feet from impact and cushion them from the ground. Take a second to look over your boots and identify conditions that warrant replacement:

• Damage or tears

• Reduced or uneven support in the tread

• Too much flexibility in motion

• Worn insoles (can be replaced separately)

Remember to allow your boots to dry completely if they get wet to ensure the health of your foot and maintain the boot's shape.

Move More Month

Championed by the American Heart Association, April is recognized as “Move More Month.” The goal is simple: getting people moving more to improve their health.  Swapping 30 mins of sitting for physical activity reduces your risk of death by 17%. Look for ways to increase activity in your day, especially by breaking up long bouts of sitting with a walk or some movement. Walking is a great way to get your activity in and enjoy the spring flowers after a long winter. Take your coworkers during your break and make it a team event! 

Eccentric Exercises

Eccentric exercises, sometimes called “negative reps,” focus on the lowering phase of the exercise.  Try performing a single-leg deadlift to work on this contraction and improve your balance. While standing on one leg, hinge at the hip and lower your hands towards the floor till you feel the pull in your hamstrings. Then, slowly return to the start position.  Once you get the hang of it, you can add weights.