Why is this exercise Kris Tynan’s Number One?
“We often get asked if there is one exercise we’d recommend for older adults. Of course we’d like to suggest more than one, and will do in coming issues, but if pushed we’d have to say the simple sit to stand.”
The reason practising this movement is so useful is that it will strengthen all the muscle groups that work when you need to get up from chairs or sofas, in and out of cars (especially low ones) and on and off the toilet.
It brings into play your quads, hamstrings, glutes, calf muscles, hip flexor and lower back muscles.
Truly a ‘big bang for your buck’ exercise!
Try to do at least one set every day (a set is the number you do at a time). Of course, if you can do more than one set a day even better!
Here’s the best technique:
- Sit tall on a kitchen or dining room chair with your feet flat on the ground.
- Place your hands on your thighs, tip forward from the hips and drive up to a fully upright posture.
- If you can’t stand up without using your hands to push off the chair that is fine – start with that and you will find you improve over time. If you can easily stand without using your hands increase the challenge by crossing your arms across your chest or even holding them out in front of you.
- Return to the chair more slowly than you stood. Count to four as you do this.
- Do a set of between 6-12
Lifestyle Tip: If you have a very low sofa and you are struggling to get out of it without looking like a demented spider! – as well as practising the sit to stand – try stacking newspaper under the cushions to raise the seat level.
These Exercise and Lifestyle Tips are brought to you by the Exercise Specialist, Kris Tynan.
Find out more about the Super Senior Program and purchase your own Exercise Kit
Thanks – I know without even trying it (yet) that that is a useful exercise
I am planning to follow all your instructions,because I think they will be helpfull!
Corrinne Dezeeuw!
more exercise tips would be great
There will be more coming up in the coming newsletters. Keep practising!
That’s the spirit, Corrinne! They take only a few minutes but the results are well worth the time you spend.
You will have tried it by now, Mary and I hope you are feeling the benefits already?
Thanks for your tips, very good to have exercises we can do on cold wet days indoors, thanx again.
There will be a new one in the next newsletter, Maureen. Look out for it!
I am very pleased to have that advice, thank you.
And look out for new a exercise from Kris Tynan each month, Lyndsay. Practise them every day!
Kindest regards
Gillian