Exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, no matter how old you are. These days, however, many seniors are reluctant to visit the community centers or public gyms where they took exercise classes before Covid. Fortunately, seniors have a wide range of options for exercising at home. But what are the best home exercises for seniors? Well, it depends on what you’re looking for. Below, we’ve created a list that includes a little bit of everything. 

Whether you prefer home exercise equipment, online classes, or you want to mix and match simple exercises to create your own workout, we’ve got you covered. Please discuss it with your doctor before starting any at-home exercise program.

1. Stationary Recumbent Cycling

A recumbent home exercise bike helps provide the benefits of cycling while adding additional fall prevention.

2. Rowing Machine

Rowing is a total body workout that not only strengthens major muscle groups but also increases cardiovascular endurance. 

3. Yoga

Yoga helps to strengthen bones, enhance balance, and improve flexibility. Chair yoga is a great option for those in need of pose modification. Online yoga classes for seniors are a great option, too. 

4. Chair Squats

Chair squats help increase lower body strength, improve balance, and can help restore everyday functioning for those recovering from injuries. 

5. Leg Raises

Leg raises help improve core strength. They can be done seated or standing. 

6. Back Leg Raises

Back leg raises increase lower body and core strength. It’s best to hold onto a chair, table or wall while performing this exercise.

7. Side Leg Raises

Side leg raises increase hip mobility, which helps seniors to improve and maintain balance. It’s best to hold onto a chair, table or wall while performing this exercise.

8. Knee Lifts

This seated exercise increases range of motion around the hips, reducing the risk of falls. 

9. Tummy Twists

Tummy twists increase core strength and aid in stretching the spine.

10. Arm Raises

Arm raises help to improve range of motion in the shoulders. They can be done seated or standing. Light weights may be added for additional strength training. 

11. Wall Push-Ups

Wall push-ups help improve upper body strength, especially in the chest and arms. 

12. Single-Leg Stand

The single-leg stand helps to improve balance and coordination. It’s best to hold onto a chair, table or wall while performing this exercise.

13. Toe Lifts

Toe lifts increase strength in the feet and improve balance.   

14. Shoulder Rolls

Shoulder rolls help maintain range of motion and mobility in the shoulders, which helps to improve everyday functioning for seniors. 

15. Fist Stretch

Opening and closing the fist and stretching the fingers out wide helps to improve strength and mobility in the hand and fingers.

16. Knuckle Bend

The knuckle bend exercise helps to increase range of motion in the fingers.

17. Ball Squeezes

This exercise strengthens the grip, aiding in everyday function and maximizing senior independence. 

18. Slow Neck Rotation

Neck rotation exercises help maintain flexibility and relieve stiffness and pain. It’s important to perform this exercise slowly. 

19. Floor Stretches

Stretching increases joint mobility, improves balance and coordination, and reduces the risk of injury.

20. Chair Stretches

Seniors who have trouble getting down to the ground can benefit from chair stretches, including the seated side stretch, seated hip stretch, seated backbend, and more.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and more at Bella Vista in San Diego

If you or a loved one suffers from pain or immobility that’s keeping you from getting the exercise you need to stay healthy, you may be in need of physical therapy. At Bella Vista Health Center, we offer a wide range of health services for seniors at our 5-Star skilled nursing facility. Whether you’re recovering from an illness or injury, or you’re considering joint replacement surgery and know you’ll need physical therapy, we can help. For more information on our services, or to schedule a tour of our facility. give us a call at (619) 644-1000 today.