Older people are being encouraged to 'sit down and keep fit' and
improve their flexibility, mobility, balance and strength by taking
part in specially tailored chair based exercise classes running
across the district.
The weekly classes give you the chance to socialise while
staying active so you can maintain your independence, health and
wellbeing in the future.
Anyone is capable of doing these exercises and they are all
chair based - so no jumping around or anything too strenuous.
Sessions are informal and sociable - but aim to get you fitter!
What is chair based exercise?
The exercises are a series of stretches, movements and
activities which help make arms and leg muscles stronger and more
flexible and increase overall stamina.
The exercises can help you become more active and steady on your
feet. They may also improve posture. Over time they may also lower
your blood pressure and help you to lose weight and maintain a
healthy weight.
Classes tend to last for about an hour. They usually start with
a ten minute warm up followed by 40 minutes of activities and then
a 10 minute warm down of rhythmic movement.
Watch a video - click on the image to play
Stretching exercises usually start whilst you are in the chair
to improve the flexibility of the shoulders and joints and to
gently raise the heart rate. As you improve you may graduate onto
using strong elasticated bands. These add resistance and help to
build up strength in your leg and arm muscles. If you are able to
you may be asked to lift yourself out of the chair or stand for a
short time.
Chair based exercise is suitable for everyone who wants to build
up their activity levels without putting strain on hips, arms or
legs. It makes them ideal for anyone with arthritis or osteoporosis
or has had back, knee or hip surgery.
The exercise leader is trained and qualified to lead groups in
chair based exercise and they will talk with you before your first
session to make sure they know of any special need you may have.
Each exercise is shown to the group beforehand so that everyone can
join in and get the most benefit.
Janice's story - how chair based exercise has helped her
...
Janice has just turned 60. Ten years ago she was diagnosed with
a brain tumour which was successfully operated on. Two years later
she found herself back in hospital with a second brain tumour. This
time during the operation she also suffered a massive stroke.
It has been an uphill struggle for Janice to get back to any
sort of normal life. The operations have left her with no balance
system, so standing for any length of time is impossible. She has
put on five stone since the operation because of the steroid
treatment and by her own admission she could so easily have sunk
into a deep depression.
But Janice is a battler and she was determined to get fit and
lose weight. When she was told about a local chair based exercise
class she immediately rang and booked herself in. It has changed
her life. Now she can exercise sitting down and has become fit
enough to take up swimming again at the local pool. She loves the
social aspect of the group and has made loads of new friends.