Comments on: Killer Leg Workout–No Equipment!

By: admin

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:40:54 +0000

If your knees are challenged in any way don’t go down below parallel (thigh parallel to the ground). I’ve had a client where we adjusted the seat pretty high… without seeing and evaluating you it is hard to say what “realistic” is…
If you start with a desk/dining chair height, and can’t touch it without sitting down completely, then put a book or two on the chair and work from there… this is just another example of chunking down larger goals into smaller attainable goals.
You will get stronger and begin to have a greater range of motion as you stay consistent. Worse would be not doing this and end up unable to get out of a chair at all.

By: Terry Suffredini Atkinson

Terry Suffredini Atkinson — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:59:18 +0000

Thanks for the suggestions, Lauren. Ideally, how high should the chair seat be? The one in your photo looks pretty low. Obviously, the lower the seat, the greater the workout but what is a realistic height?

By: admin

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:16:23 +0000

Hi Terry!
Yes they are possible… you just can’t do them YET! Start by standing on both feet and push your hips back and lower down until your glutes just barely touch the chair or bench, then if you can… stand back up without resting into a seated position.
You can build up to a single-leg get up doing this, then advance to using an armed chair where you can use your hands to assist you to stand up with one leg. Gradually, you will use less hands and more leg.
Like many physical skills, riding a bike, learning to walk for the first time, or playing a sport… they are learned/mastered over time. In our fast paced world of instant gratification we sometimes forget that and quit too soon!
And yes… no more excuses! Glad you enjoyed the workouts… more to come!

By: Terry Suffredini Atkinson

Terry Suffredini Atkinson — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:30:00 +0000

Single-legged get-ups – are you kidding me????! I can’t do even one without hands! Are these really possible? Obviously, I need help. But thanks for providing these mini-workouts, Lauren. Sure helps to have exercises I can do anywhere, anytime. But darn, now I don’t have any excuses!
Terry