Recommended Indoor Exercises for Seniors
Some older adults may find it difficult to exercise outdoors.
For some, going out is challenging, and weather-related reasons like heat or cold can also be factors.
When physical activity decreases, fitness declines, which can lead to falls or increased susceptibility to illness.
With that in mind, here are recommended exercises for seniors that can be done indoors.
We’ve gathered seated exercises that are easy for anyone to participate in, as well as simple routines you can start right away.
Exercising can help increase muscle strength and bone density, and it’s also said to help relieve stress.
We want older adults to continue enjoying their hobbies and favorite activities and to live vibrantly.
Please make use of indoor exercises to help address lack of physical activity.
- [For Seniors] Refresh Your Mood! Lively, Get-Moving Games
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] A Collection of Simple Exercise Programs Suitable for Beginners
- [Seated] Fun Health Exercises for Older Adults and Seniors
- [For Seniors] Recreational activities and games that let you have fun while strengthening your legs
- [For Seniors] Balance-Training Exercises: Preventing Falls
- For seniors: Leg-strengthening exercises you can do without overexertion.
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- Energetic and Lively! Sing-and-Exercise Program for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Let's Enjoy Exercising with a Towel!
- [For Seniors] Build a Healthy Body Indoors! Recommended Exercise Equipment
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable While Seated! Ball Exercises and Recreation
- [For Seniors] Exercises to Walk Again. Fall Prevention
[For Seniors] Recommended Indoor Exercises (41–50)
365-Step March Exercise
This is about moving your body energetically to the rhythm of Kiyoko Suizenji’s song “365-Step March.” By matching the powerful yet steady tempo characteristic of a march, you can put real strength into the exercises.
The routine mainly involves moving the upper body while seated in a chair, and by keeping proper posture in mind, it can lead to a full-body workout.
Incorporating steps and hand claps, and even singing along as you go, will make it more enjoyable to move—highly recommended.
One-minute exercises for urinary leakage
Here are two self-care exercises you can do in one minute to help improve frequent urination, leakage, and a lingering urge to urinate.
There are only two movements.
The first is to sit with your legs stretched out in front (long sitting) and lift both legs upward.
The key is to engage your abdominal muscles.
If it feels too hard, lower the angle of the lift.
The second movement is a standing exercise where you lift one leg backward.
Alternate legs, and be careful not to bend your knees.
If you’re worried about falling, you can hold onto the back of a chair.
Please do these within a comfortable range that suits your condition.
Prone Pelvic Floor Muscle Yoga
Here’s a yoga routine you can do while lying face down that’s effective for the pelvic floor.
First, lie on your stomach, spread your hands and feet to shoulder width, and tuck your toes under.
Using your toes, abdomen, and back muscles, slowly lift your head.
You should feel those muscles engage.
Next, stack your hands and rest your forehead on them, then bring your legs together so they’re touching.
With the image of lifting diagonally backward, slowly raise one leg.
If it feels too hard, it’s fine to lift it only a little.
Since this is a movement you may not usually do, try to relax as you practice—occasionally sway your body gently from side to side.
Pelvic floor exercises while sitting on a ball or chair
The more time we spend living our lives seated in chairs, the less we use the muscles around the pelvis, and gradually our muscle strength declines.
How about incorporating some training for the muscles around the pelvis into your daily routine? The method is simple: while seated in a chair, move your hips, focusing on smooth, dance-like motions.
Sitting on a balance ball is also recommended; it makes you more aware of your balance and helps train your whole body more effectively.
Lunge exercise
This exercise aims to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles by stepping forward and doing a gentle knee bend.
As long as you have a spot to step into, you can do it even in a small space, so it’s easy to incorporate into everyday moments.
Exhale as you step forward and bend slightly, then inhale as you return, repeating the movement while focusing on the muscles.
If you’re worried about balance, it’s recommended to hold onto a support.
In addition to strengthening the pelvic floor, it also seems helpful for loosening up the legs.
Core training
The core is a part of the body that’s hard to train unless you consciously focus on it, and its decline can lead to a loss of overall muscle strength.
This routine is designed to train the core with awareness, while also working the transverse abdominis and the pelvic floor muscles.
From a hands-and-knees position, extend your right arm and left leg—or your left arm and right leg—and hold that posture to strengthen your core.
It may be difficult to maintain the position at first, but the key is to focus on forming the correct posture even for a short time, then gradually get used to it and extend the duration.
Pelvic floor exercises while lying down
Here’s a simple pelvic floor exercise you can do while lying down.
All you need is one towel—nothing else.
First, lie on your back and bend your knees.
Place a folded towel between your knees.
Keep your knees firmly together so the towel doesn’t fall.
Tighten as if closing your anus, slowly lift your hips while exhaling.
When lowering your hips, relax and inhale.
Just repeat this sequence.
Even a little every day is important—consistency matters.
If you feel any pain in your lower back, don’t push yourself; go at your own pace.