Chair Exercises

Seated and standing chair exercises & yoga for a low-impact workout for seniors

You’ve heard it before: Sitting all day is bad for your health. But despite all the research that suggests you buy a standing desk or get moving every hour, the reality is that these kinds of recommendations aren’t terribly realistic for most of us.

Luckily, even if you’re stuck in your seat for extended periods, you can still do exercises to stretch and move your body. If you're recovering from an injury or surgery, need extra support during pregnancy, or have balance challenges, a chair is your ticket to an awesome sweat.

We asked fitness trainers for stretching and strength-training moves you can do from your seat. While they may not produce the same results as hitting the gym or going for a run, remember that when it comes to exercise, every little bit helps.

Whether we enjoy it or not, exercising on a regular basis continues to keep our body moving and functioning properly as we age. Chair exercises are a great substitute for aging adults. There doesn’t need to be a weight set, a trainer, and seniors don’t even have to have a caregiver with them at all times. The only thing a senior needs is a chair; though, some of the following exercises may require a resistance band or dumbbells to perform accurately with results. We’ve got a good list of exercises that seniors can do in the comfort of their own home with equipment that they can use by themselves. We’ll explain exactly how to do each exercise and provide examples for a step-by-step process.

You don't have to stay unfit because you have an injury, feel too old, morbidly obese, a beginner, or you're too busy to go to the gym. If you can sit, you can get fit with our 30-day chair workout programs. The workouts are designed specifically for people who have been sedentary and looking to start moving again. The classes have gentle movements and is easy to understand and follow. Ideal for those dealing with obesity or seniors who want to get moving again.

Chair yoga is an adapted yoga practice that allows you to stay seated while practicing yoga focused poses. It invites you to find mobility in a way that is soft and gentle but also really supportive and beneficial. Having good balance is particularly important as we age, and chair yoga is a great way for seniors to improve their balance.