Move · Videos · Cardio · 32 min

Seated Aerobic Circuit for Parkinson's (Parkinson's UK)

Video by Parkinson's UK on YouTube · Open on YouTube

A physiotherapist leads a chair-based aerobic session: warm-up, six exercises in three timed rounds (40 seconds work, 20 rest), then a cool-down. Made for people with Parkinson's who already exercise regularly.

  • 32 min
  • Intermediate
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • chair

Good forHealthy ageingHeart health

Step by step 12

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Seated warm-up: deep breaths, ear-to-shoulder neck stretches, shoulder rolls and gentle twists, arms crossed. 0:54
  2. Warm-up continued: pelvic tilts, martini-glass arm circles, side bends, then foot paddles and ankle circles. 2:32
  3. Arm paddles: lean forward slightly and paddle straight arms between knee and eye level, shoulders down. 5:46
  4. Step touch: take one foot out to the side and back in, alternating, for a stretch through the inner thigh. 6:37
  5. Lawn mower: feet wide, toes turned out; reach down and pull up as if starting a mower, elbow high, each side. 7:26
  6. Knee lift and kick out: sit forward, hold the back of the chair, lift the knee and straighten the leg out. 8:22
  7. Archer: arms out in front, pull one elbow back at shoulder height and twist, then the other side. 9:18
  8. Fast feet: sit forward holding the chair and tap your feet out and in at a pace you can keep up. 10:12
  9. Round 1: all six moves, 40 seconds work and 20 rest; stop and rest if you feel pain or discomfort. 11:03
  10. Round 2: the same six exercises again, 40 seconds on and 20 off. 17:09
  11. Round 3: a final time through the six, keeping a steady rate you can manage. 23:09
  12. Cool-down: shoulder rolls, side bends, seated hamstring stretches and a slow roll down and back up. 29:08

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

Form cues from the coach

  • Use a sturdy armless chair, with water and your phone close by
  • Stop and rest if you feel unwell, uncomfortable or in pain
  • Keep shoulders down and tall through the chest

What it works Whole body

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses 2 takes load

  • Shoulders takes loadarm paddles, lawn mower and archer reaches
  • Hips takes loadstep touches, knee lifts, fast feet in 40 s rounds
  • Elbows moveslawn mower and archer pulls
  • Upper back movesarcher and lawn mower trunk twists
  • Lower back movespelvic tilts, leaning forward and back, twists
  • Knees movesknee lifts and kick-outs
  • Ankles & feet movespaddling feet, fast feet

Easier option from the coach: Seated throughout; set your own tempo and rest whenever needed

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

More like this

Browse all 764 videos

Video by Parkinson's UK; 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