In preparation for Father’s Day, I’ve been offering free fitness tips to dads at the Lakewood Observer forum.  Go there for a complete listing.

Since I mentioned free and simple, then that’s what you’re getting!

When you’re spending long hours on that computer, and who isn’t these days, it can strain your forearms and tighten muscles. Eventually, that could trap nerves and lead to unpleasant conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Dad, you deserve your forearm function, so why not try this: put tennis balls in your desk drawer and every half hour or so, get your body out of the chair, stand, grab a tennis ball in each hand and walk around while squeezing them. You’ll not only build up some gruesome forearm and gripping strength, but you’ll help warm those muscles to prepare for stretching.

If you don’t have tennis ball and you have some sheets of scrap paper, then try this out: crumble up a sheet of paper with one hand only as fast as you can. Try this with the other hand and do as many as you think you can handle before you have to stretch your forearms and go back to work.

So how do you stretch your forearms?

1. Stand up. (We are all tight in our hips, and standing will help lengthen those muscles that are short from too much sitting.)

2. Extend one arm in front of you and with a straight elbow bring your palm up.

3. With your other hand grab your index and ring fingers and pull them toward the floor.

4. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on the other side.