Sitting exercises (2024)

These gentle sitting exercises can be done at home and will help improve your mobility and prevent falls.

If you have not done much exercise for a while, these seated exercises are gentle and easy to follow. If you’re not sure if they’re suitable for you, check with a GP or a health professional involved with your care.

For these exercises, choose a solid,stablechairthat does not havewheels.

You should be able to sit with your feet flat on the floor and knees bent at right angles. Avoid chairs with arms, as these will restrict your movement.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing and keep some water handy.

Build up slowly and aim to gradually increase the repetitions of each exercise over time.

Try to do these exercises at least twice a week and combine them with the other routines in this series:

Chest stretch

Sitting exercises (1)

This stretch is good for posture.

A. Sit upright and away from the back of the chair. Pull your shoulders back and down. Extend your arms out to the side.

B. Gently push your chest forward and up until you feel a stretch across your chest.

Hold for5 to 10 seconds and repeat5 times.

Upper-body twist

Sitting exercises (2)

This stretch will develop and maintain flexibility in the upper back.

A. Sit upright with your feet flat on the floor, cross your arms and reach for your shoulders.

B. Without moving your hips, turn your upper body to the left as far as is comfortable. Hold for5 seconds.

C. Repeaton theright side.

Do5 timeson each side.

Hip marching

Sitting exercises (3)

This exercise will strengthen hips and thighs, and improve flexibility.

A. Sit upright and do not lean on the back of the chair. Hold on to the sides of the chair.

B. Lift your left leg with your knee bent as far as is comfortable. Place your foot down with control.

C. Repeat with the opposite leg.

Do5 lifts with each leg.

Ankle stretch

Sitting exercises (4)

This stretch will improve ankle flexibility andlowerthe risk ofdeveloping ablood clot.

A. Sit upright, hold on to the side of the chair and straighten your left leg with your foot off the floor.

B. With yourleg straight and raised, point your toes away from you.

C. Point your toes back towards you.

Try2 sets of5 stretches with each foot.

Neck rotation

Sitting exercises (5)

This stretch is good for improving neck mobility and flexibility.

A. Sit upright with your shoulders down. Look straight ahead.

B. Slowly turn your head towards your left shoulder as far as is comfortable. Hold for5 seconds and return to the starting position.

C. Repeaton theright.

Do3 rotations on each side.

Sitting exercises (2024)

FAQs

Is it good to exercise while sitting? ›

Bottom line. If you find that you sit too much during your day, these seated exercises can help to raise your heart rate without leaving your desk. All of these workouts can help prevent injury and bring movement back into your body – especially during stressful times.

Do chair workouts really work? ›

That means a push-up from a chair will still effectively work your chest muscles, shoulders, and triceps, while a plank from a chair will still fire up your entire core. So if you're looking for a strengthen the core workout, chair exercises can help deliver.

Can you lose weight doing seated exercises? ›

Chair exercises are also a great option for weight loss for those who have difficulty in standing or walking. According to a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, people can burn 120 to 250 calories with a 32-minute chair exercise.

What is a 7 minute sit routine? ›

The 7-minute workout is a high intensity workout that alternates between 30 seconds of high-intensity exercise and 10 seconds of rest. It includes 12 key exercises that target your major muscle groups using only your body weight, a chair, and a wall.

How unhealthy is sitting all day? ›

Sitting or lying down for too long increases your risk of chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Too much sitting can also be bad for your mental health. Being active is not as hard as you think. There are lots of simple ways to include some physical activity in your day.

What we should not do while sitting? ›

  1. Cramming thighs under a worktable will affect blood circulation.
  2. Sitting on a chair that has poor support for your body or stability.
  3. Rounding the back (slouching)
  4. Excessively arching the lower back.
  5. Leaning forward without supporting bodyweight.
  6. Reclining the chair's backrest at an angle greater than 30°
  7. Dangling feet.

Why you shouldn't sit all day? ›

Prolonged sitting causes blood to stagnate and has been linked with a range of health problems that include varicose veins, leg swelling and pain, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and premature death.

Which sitting position burns the most fat? ›

When you sit up straight, you are going to minimally workout muscles in the upper body, shoulders and the back. This, in a way, helps strengthen the core and promotes calorie burning, since you exert pressure in maintaining a straight back. Even simply engaging your muscles while at rest can help.

Why does my tummy bulge when I sit? ›

If you have diastasis, you may notice a doming or bulging of the tummy muscles at the midline, especially when performing movements that create pressure within the belly, such as a sit up, lifting a heavy object, straining on the toilet, or when doing strenuous exercise.

How do you hide a hanging stomach? ›

Using a support band or clothing designed to support the abdominal area can help conceal an apron belly. It can also help prevent additional skin sagging and alleviate back problems from carrying extra weight in the front of the body. Keep the area clean and dry.

Does the 7 minute sit workout work? ›

“If you're just getting started, the seven-minute workout can bring a lot of cardiovascular and strength benefits,” Lawton says. This cardio routine raises your heart rate (which is a good thing), and physical activity is one of the best ways to help prevent heart disease.

What is a free app for chair exercises? ›

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  • SeniorFit At-Home Workouts. Health & Fitness.
  • Oseterics Yoga | Active Aging. Health & Fitness.
  • Lazy Workout by LazyFIT. Health & Fitness.

Can you build muscle while sitting? ›

You might doubt you can get a good workout while sitting. But even in the seated position, you can still work your muscles, improve your strength, and boost your overall health and wellbeing.

What involving a lot of sitting and not much exercise? ›

Sitting or lying down for too long increases your risk of chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Too much sitting can also be bad for your mental health. Being active is not as hard as you think.

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