Regardless of age, staying healthy is an important part of life. That includes regular exercise. According to the NHS, older adults should do some type of physical activity every day. However, as we get older, many of us find that our mobility isn’t what it used to be. We might experience joint issues like arthritis or problems with balance. If this is the case for you, it would be easy to give up on exercise altogether, but thankfully there is a solution. Chair exercises for elderly people are a great way to stay active and maintain good health.
Seated exercises like the ones we’re going to look at today can help you build your fitness without putting unnecessary strain on joints. For more exercise ideas, read about our Top 7 Sport and Fitness Activities for Older People.
Why Try Chair Exercises?
The beauty of chair exercises is that they’re very accessible. You don’t need to be super-fit already. You don’t need any specialist equipment. All you need is a seat. You can increase the difficulty based on your ability, adding weights if you’re looking for an extra challenge. Alternatively, you can simply come as you are and get moving from the comfort and safety of your home. Chair exercises are great for older people, those with mobility or balance issues, and anyone recovering from an injury or surgery.
Top 5 Chair Exercises for Elderly People
Next, we’re going to take you through five great chair exercises for elderly people and those with limited mobility. Before you start, it’s important to sit in the right position. Choose a sturdy chair without armrests, such as a dining chair. Sit upright, straightening your spine as much as you can. Your back shouldn’t be resting on the back of the chair, so you may need to shuffle forward a little. Sit with your feet flat on the floor. If you like, hold onto the sides of the seat. Now you’re ready to go.
Perform each exercise at a steady pace and don’t rush ā you’re aiming for control, not speed.
1. Knee Lifts
This chair exercise is good for strengthening your hips. To start, sit upright and hold onto the sides of the chair. Then, with knees bent, lift one leg as high as is comfortable. Lower it back down gently and with control. Repeat with the opposite leg. To begin with, do 5 lifts with each leg, then increase over time.
2. Seated Row
Shuffle forward to sit on the edge of your seat, keeping your feet flat on the floor. Extend your arms out in front of you with your elbows slightly bent and thumbs facing up. Then draw your elbows back slowly while squeezing your shoulder blades together, until your elbows are in line with your ribs. Repeat for 10 rows. This is one of the best chair exercises for elderly people because it strengthens the chest, shoulders, and back without placing strain on your joints.
3. Twists
Hold your arms out with your elbows bent ninety degrees and your forearms out in front of you. Alternatively, cross your arms over your chest and place each hand on the opposite shoulder. Keep your lower body still and slowly twist your upper body to one side as far as you can comfortably go. It’s important to engage your core while you do this ā concentrate on pulling your belly button towards your spine. Then slowly return to the centre and repeat on the other side. Chair exercises like this one will help you build core strength and improve your posture.
4. Knee Extensions
This chair exercise will strengthen several different leg muscles. Start by sitting up straight with feet flat on the floor and hold onto the sides of the chair, as in the Knee Lifts exercise. Then straighten one leg with your toes pointing upwards. Do not lock your knee ā keep it slightly bent. Then lower the leg back down and repeat on the other side. As before, do 5 lifts with each leg.
5. Overhead Press
Start in the same seated position as before. Bend your elbows and bring your hands up to your shoulders with palms facing forward. Slowly raise your arms over your head and hold this position for a moment. Then slowly return to the starting position. Repeat for 10 raises. If you like, you could add a small weight to each hand. There’s no need to buy special exercise weights ā a tin of soup or bottle of water in each hand will work fine.
Practice Makes Perfect
If you’re a beginner when it comes to exercise ā or you’ve been out of practice for a while ā it’s important to start slowly. That goes double if you’re recovering from an injury or surgery, or if you have a condition like arthritis. You’ll be able to build up your strength and fitness over time. Making progress with your fitness is one of the most satisfying things you can do ā and it doesn’t need to cost you a penny! These chair exercises for elderly people don’t require any special equipment, just a bit of motivation and patience. We hope you enjoy giving them a try. If you enjoyed this article, take a look atĀ Chair Yoga: 7 Seated Yoga Poses for Older People.
Stay Safe at Home with LifeConnect24
Reading this article is a great first step when it comes to looking after your health. To protect yourself even further, why not consider a LifeConnect24 personal alarm? Our life-saving system is simple to set up and easy to use. The standard alarm comes in two parts: a base unit that plugs into the mains power supply, alongside a lightweight pendant that you can wear around the wrist or neck. We also offer a fall detector plan for additional peace of mind.
Whichever LifeConnect24 alarm you choose, you can enjoy 24/7 support from our expert Response Team, who are trained to respond quickly to all kinds of emergencies, 365 days of the year. If you have a fall, just press your personal alarm button. A member of the team will speak with you to assess the situation and reassure you while arranging help as quickly as possible.
To find out more, call our team on 0800 030 8999 or get in touch online. You can reach us by email at info@lifeconnect24.co.ukĀ or by using our handy Contact Us form.
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Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 17th January 2024 to reflect current information.
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