Tip: Pedaling under your desk

Here's one way where going nowhere fast at your job can be beneficial.

Under-the-desk pedal exercisers are small, portable devices that can provide a workout at your workplace. A study published in the current issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that when workers used an under-desk machine at their work station, they pedaled an average of 23 minutes a day, burning as many as 500 calories.

Several companies make the lightweight machines, which start as low as $20. You can see some products at these websites: tinyurl.com/4jmmlby and

tinyurl.com/4dpu7wl.

Your desk must be high enough so your knees don't bump the underside of the desktop. But if you can't get the necessary clearance from your desk - or your boss - you can always park the machine in front of your couch and pedal while you watch TV.