Exercises You Can Do on a Plane

After hours seated on a plane, your limbs can start to feel a little cramped and lifeless. If you’re going to make it through an intercontinental flight, it’s important to find ways to combat in-flight leg fatigue. Here are a few exercises to get blood pumping while also helping you stay in shape.

Leg Lifts

Leg lifts are simple and can be done right in your seat. Place your legs and feet together and lift them up and down for at least 12 reps. Just as long as your feet don’t hit the floor it counts.

Circles

Alternatively, you can stretch out your inner thighs and groin by doing circles. Raise your legs off the floor then move them clockwise in the air. You can alternate direction to mix things up a bit.

Fist Lifts

Place your fists on the seat beside your legs and propel yourself forward, slightly leaning over. Then, lift your body off the seat and try to balance on your fists at the top of the lift. Lower yourself back down and repeat.

Back Stretches

Start by bending forward so your chest rests on the top of your thighs. Hold for a few seconds, then return to a seated position without using your arms or legs to propel yourself back up. Repeat this for 12 reps.

Shoulder Shrugs

Much like the standing shoulder shrugs done in the gym, these can be done from your seat. For extra movement begin by rolling your shoulders slightly forward, then backward. Finally, shrug as if you’re saying, “I don’t know!”