Sit-To-Stand From a Chair

Standing up from a chair and sitting back down under control, without using the hands. Builds the leg strength and weight transfer that everyday standing up depends on.

DIFFICULTY
Beginner
EQUIPMENT
Chair
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Quads · Gluteus Maximus
ALSO WORKS
Lower back · Calves
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Sit toward the front of a sturdy chair that is against a wall so it cannot slide backward.
  2. 02Place the feet flat, hip width apart, with the heels drawn back under the knees.
  3. 03Lean the chest forward over the toes, then push the floor away and stand up tall without using the hands.
  4. 04Reach the hips back and lower slowly to the seat over three seconds, keeping the chest forward.
  5. 05Regression: push off the armrests or a higher chair, or add a firm cushion to raise the seat.
  6. 06Progression: cross the arms over the chest, slow the lowering to five seconds, or use a lower seat.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Nose over toes before you stand.
  2. 02Push the floor away through the whole foot.
  3. 03Lower under control — do not drop the last few inches.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Using a chair on wheels or one that can slide — it moves as you shift your weight forward.
  2. 02Dropping the last part of the sit — the landing is uncontrolled and the descent trains nothing.
  3. 03Keeping the chest upright on the way up — the weight stays behind the feet and standing takes far more effort.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

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