Exercises That Can be Done While Sitting

I have arthritis of the spine and knees, which makes it too painful to walk or stand for over 1 minute at a time. I worry about no exercise harming my heart. Is there any exercise that can be done while sitting down that would strengthen the heart and lungs? God bless you for your help.

Debra from Hampton, TN

Answers:

Exercises That Can be Done While Sitting

First check with your doctor. No need to buy hand weights. Take two sixteen ounce cans and raise them above your head. Try ten times and work up slowly. You could do curls with them. Hold each can flat in each hand and curl the hand toward your chest. Hold cans out to sides and bring together in front of your body. These would be good for a start. Just remember to work up slowly. (04/07/2008)

By Pat

Exercises That Can be Done While Sitting

Sit on a sturdy chair on a non-slip surface. Grip the sides or front, scoot to the front. Now you can do dips by sliding off the front and slowly lowering yourself a little, then press yourself back up with your arms. You can do several types of leg lifts, either lifting your entire leg or both legs together, or straighten your lower leg, and many varieties of the two together.

Try standing push ups. Stand a foot or so from a wall. Place your hands on the wall a comfortable distance apart. Lean toward the wall, the press yourself away again. Easy to rebuild strength without having to get up and down. Do seated torso twists and leans, either with or without holding a towel or other cloth. (04/07/2008)

By Brandy

Exercises That Can be Done While Sitting

I agree that you should check with your Dr. first, but maybe this idea will help. My mother has become quite sedintary and as a result she has a hard time moving and has gained quite a bit of weight. She has decided to "get off her duff" but it's very hard now. We bought for her a foot pedal thing that is like a bike but it just sits on the floor and you can sit in a chair or on the couch and pedal as fast or as slow as you want.

It does move the knees but there is very little weight on them so it isn't too hard. She does it for about 2 minutes several times a day. Better than nothing and gives her heart some exercise. (04/07/2008)

By Judi

Exercises That Can be Done While Sitting

You can get videos of chair exercises that are really good. We use some at the assisted living home where I work. (04/09/2008)

By Pat Giles

Exercises That Can be Done While Sitting

I go to a class at my senior center called PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise). It's about an hour long and they maintain that when you finish you've exercised every muscle in your body. Most of it is sitting down, but there are a few "hold on to the chair" type exercises. I don't do some of the more active stuff, but it works wonders. Several of our hospitals have the same program. It's sponsored by the National Arthritis Association. (04/09/2008)

By Nancy in MO

Exercises That Can be Done While Sitting

I bought a $10 exercise ball at Wal-mart. It says to bounce on it gently for a while to get aerobic work out. It's easy and gentle. Also, maybe you could do water aerobics. They usually have them at the Y. Hope you find something that works for you. (04/09/2008)

By velsgal

Exercises That Can be Done While Sitting

Sit and Be Fit, has been on public tv for decades. It's a half-hour program and you can go at your own speed. The nice librarians at your public library will help you find a CD of it or something similar you can use. Save your money until you're sure that's what you want and can use. (04/11/2008)

By Janice C.