If you’ve been sitting at your desk for hours on end and suddenly notice your jeans fitting a little differently, or worse, that your once-perky behind has gone soft, you’re not alone. Welcome to the not-so-glamorous side effect of office life: office chair butt. This is not internet jargon or a gym craze. Office chair butt is the term being used for the sagging, flat, flabby shape occurring to backsides due to too much sitting. And it turns out, according to medical professionals, there is actually science behind it.
What Is The Office Chair Butt?
At the root of this problem is muscle atrophy, namely, the weakening of your glute muscles. When you spend most of your day sitting, your glutes don’t receive the exercise they require to remain firm and active. Rather than burning fat and gaining muscle, your body does the reverse: muscle is broken down, and fat is accumulated. The end result? A soft, squishy, sagging backside.
It’s not really about the chair, it’s about how long you’re in it. Sitting all day, every day, means your glutes aren’t engaged, which not only affects appearance but can also lead to issues like back pain, tight hips, and poor posture.
The symptoms of “office chair butt are impossible to ignore: your once-shapely backside begins to flatten out. Others liken it to appearing flat or even melted. It’s like what occurs to your arms if you quit exercising them; the muscles atrophy, and gravity steps in.
So, what can you do about it? The great news is that this is one issue you can actually turn around, no membership to the fancy gym or new office chair required. The secret is movement.
Keep it simple: take brief breaks each hour to stand up, stretch, or get a little walk. Incorporate exercises that engage your glutes specifically, squats, lunges, glute bridges, or even climbing stairs. And if you’re stuck at a desk job with your face buried in your screen, look into a standing desk or make a point to get up and move during the day.
Also Read: What Are Butthole Lips And How Is It Making You Look Like A Millennial?
Not only will your butt thank you, but your whole body will feel better. Staying active helps fight fatigue, improves circulation, and reduces the risks that come with sitting too long, like heart disease and certain cancers.
And honestly, nobody wants a sagging-looking peach if you know what I mean.