Wakeout pack — 18 exercises
Cushion Fun
Playful seated movements using a cushion as an exercise prop.
sittingliving room / deskmiddaydo anywhere18 exercises
30-second preview
Reach for this when…
You have a cushion within reach at midday and fancy some playful seated movement with a soft, squishy prop.
Why this happens
Seated core work usually reads as Pilates or nothing. This pack takes a different angle: give people a cushion, let them play with it, and core activation happens as a byproduct. When you squeeze a cushion between your knees, press it overhead, or pass it hand-to-hand with rotation, you're engaging transverse abdominis, obliques, and deep stabilizers without ever calling it a workout. The prop changes everything — it turns a routine into a game, which dramatically increases the odds you'll actually finish it. Most people who can't sit still for traditional core work will happily play with a cushion for four minutes. This one is built for midday, at the desk or on the couch, when energy is fine but the body has been too still for too long and needs a reason to move that isn't 'it's time to exercise.'
About this routine
Best for midday in a seated setting where a cushion or throw pillow is nearby. All movements are playful and take about four minutes. Skip this pack if you have an acute low-back flare-up — the rotational and pressing movements load the spine gently but loading is still loading. Safe during pregnancy with modifications (skip deep rotations). None of this is strength training in the formal sense; it's core engagement disguised as a game.
Use this pack when you need to…
Built for these moments
Boost Energy
High-energy moves you can do seated or standing, like seated boxing and kicks, right at your desk when you need a lift.
Why this pack: Cushion Shake, Cushion Toss and Lap Punches turn the cushion on your seat into a playful prop for a quick, lively burst of energy right at your desk.
Improve Mood
Playful moves for when your mood dips at work, from dancing to pretend punches, kicks and a little fun with your office chair.
Why this pack: Face Smashers, Rainbows and Truck Driver keep things silly, so a few seated minutes with your cushion bring a fun mood lift and a little stress relief at work.
Engage My Core
Torso twists, side touches and similar moves that work your whole core: your abs, your sides and your lower back.
Why this pack: Cushion Rotations, Turns and Over The Shoulder have you twisting and reaching from your seat to work your abs, sides and lower back with a trusty cushion.
Frequently asked
What people ask about cushion fun
How does a cushion count as exercise?
Pressing, squeezing, and moving a compressible prop creates resistance that your core has to stabilize against, which recruits the same deep stabilizer muscles that planks and dead bugs target — just at lower intensity. The cushion also gives you something to coordinate around, which engages the nervous system differently than an empty-handed exercise. You're not going to build a six-pack with cushion work, but you'll absolutely feel the transverse abdominis turn on.
What if I don't have a cushion at my desk?
A rolled-up jacket, folded towel, small pillow, or even a balled-up sweater works. The only requirement is something compressible and roughly palm-sized to knee-sized. A hard book won't work — you need something that gives back so the muscles have to stabilize against shifting pressure. If all you have is a tote bag, stuff a sweater into it and you've got a cushion. Wakeout props are deliberately low-barrier.
Can I do this on a video call?
Some of the movements — the seated squeezes and small presses — are camera-friendly. The overhead and rotational ones are more obvious and probably better for between calls. If discretion matters, the Sneaky Feet Party pack is built for under-desk stealth, or Arms Only for subtle upper-body work while on camera. Cushion Fun isn't trying to hide what it is.
Is this enough of a workout, or should I also do real core training?
It's enough to break up sitting and activate dormant stabilizers, but it's not a substitute for progressive core training if building abdominal strength is your actual goal. Think of it as core maintenance during long seated stretches — it keeps the deep system awake so you don't fully check out of your midsection between workouts. For dedicated core work, Sitting Pilates uses a towel for more structured resistance.
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Want the full routine?
Three minutes, guided by audio, in the iOS app. Or add Wakeout to Chrome — every new tab becomes a tiny movement break.