Move · Videos · Gentle & Seated · 22 min

21-Minute Seated or Standing Total-Body Circuit

Video by SilverSneakers on YouTube · Open on YouTube

A new move every minute for older adults, done seated, standing or mixed: marching and side taps, calf raises, punches and step-touches, hip hinges, side leg lifts, squats, air push-ups and balance work with ankle circles.

  • 22 min
  • Beginner
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • chair

Good forHealthy ageing

Step by step 10

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Warm-up: walk in place pumping the arms, then side taps with arm reaches across the body, seated or standing. 0:06
  2. Calf raises holding the chair if needed, pausing at the top, then overhead pull-downs with the elbows to the sides. 2:01
  3. Knee lifts, or heel lifts if seated, then alternating punches, then step touches side to side. 4:06
  4. Lift the elbows, push forward and pull back to work the chest and back, then an up-up-back-back step. 7:05
  5. Hip hinge: knees soft, weight in the heels, hinge forward, then squeeze the glutes to stand tall; then heel taps. 9:02
  6. Side leg raises holding the chair, leading with the heel, then walk three steps and tap or lift a knee. 10:58
  7. Arm circles both ways, then elbow circles with goalpost arms, sized to suit your shoulders. 13:07
  8. Squats with the hips back and knees over the ankles, then air push-ups with goalpost arms. 14:03
  9. Back taps with alternating arm reaches, then straight-arm push-backs with small pulses. 16:02
  10. Round and lengthen the spine, ankle and wrist circles on one leg, then slow breaths with arm sweeps. 18:04

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Keep the weight in your heels and squeeze the glutes to stand from a hip hinge
  • Lead with the heel on side leg lifts; aim for control, not height
  • Keep a chair close for balance and choose the range that suits you

What it works Whole body

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses 3 takes load

  • Hips takes loadsquats, hip hinges, side leg lifts, knee lifts
  • Knees takes loadsquats, knee lifts, marching, bent-knee step-touches
  • Ankles & feet takes loadcalf raises, one-leg balance, ankle circles
  • Shoulders movespunches, arm circles, pulls, air push-ups
  • Elbows movespunches, pull-downs, air push-ups
  • Upper back movesresisted pull-backs, spine rounding and extending
  • Lower back moveship hinges, spine rounding and extending
  • Rounding or twisting the back. With osteoporosis or a back problem, move smoothly and within comfort, and ask a physio which suit you.
  • Standing on one leg. Keep a chair or a wall within reach.

Easier option from the coach: Every move can be done seated; chair for support and smaller range of motion

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by SilverSneakers; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety