Refreshercise is a desk-based exercise programme that refreshes your body and engages your mind. There are no uncomfortable stretches to hold or boring repetitions. You’ll join a Refreshercise live! session to learn new routines, access a new video every week to remind you of what you have learned and keep you motivated, and learn from the latest blogs. You will also access weekly online matwork Pilates which is tailored towards specifically helping desk workers.

Absolutely not! It Refreshercise is not an aerobic fitness class. The movements are very gentle, slow and relaxing.

There’s no rigid timetable for Refreshercise. Your body and brain will tell you when they need an exercise break. Your brain goes through natural peaks and troughs of concentration about every 90-120 minutes. You may recognise when you hit a trough as you keep reading the same sentence without taking it in, or you feel the need to get up and get a coffee. It’s your brain’s natural way of saying you need a break. If you take a Refreshercise break at these times you will feel not only more refreshed but also more focused on your next task.

The short on demand videos take about five minutes to complete - so you can take a short Refreshercise break at any time of the day. Refreshercise Live! is around 20 minutes and if you need to leave early, 5 minutes is better than none!

Refreshercise is mindful exercise at your desk. You won’t get hot and sweaty – so there’s no need to get changed or buy any equipment.

Refreshercise isn’t complicated – you don’t have to do anything other than copy and listen. You will be guided through the movements by demonstration, but also by listening carefully to the instructions, which means you will be engaging your mind and body. This mindful movement is more relaxing than just going through the motions of performing a number of repetitions or holding a stretch for a period of time. You usually can’t wait for stretches to be over, which is the opposite of mindful movement!

Refreshercise is perfectly safe and in fact is beneficial for back or joint injuries. When you are still for long periods, like sitting at a desk or lying in bed, you can feel more stiff and sore than if you are moving. By doing gentle small movements within pain free ranges of motion, your brain and your body work together to help restore back and joint movement. Refreshercise is all about calming the brain and encouraging the body to get out of the pain cycle.

The Refreshercise programme is an enjoyable sequence of movements designed to relax the body and improve your posture at your desk. The movements will not be exactly the same each time, so you won’t get bored. You will be introduced to new routines at Refreshercise Live! And each week you will be able to access a new five minute video that focuses on just one movement to keep you engaged and motivated. A good time to visit is when you are in one of the natural slumps of the working day.

Over time, you will be build muscle memory of how to sit at your desk and how to move when you find sitting at your desk uncomfortable. Refreshercise Live! on demand and the Pilates classes will work postural muscles which are deeper than the visible superficial muscles and help you sit and stand more comfortably. It will also teach you how to relax more, which is critical to good posture and staying pain free.

The Pilates classes are mixed ability, so anybody can join. The classes are designed specifically to help desk workers, so you should feel more elongated through the body rather than tight and contracted. It is essential that you work to your own ability. You can use the chat before or after the class if you want to ask any questions or use the contact us form.

The live classes will be hosted on Zoom. You will need to register for the class and fill in the questionnaire when you first register.