Seated Exercise Program

Welcome to The Stronger Hearts Seated Program.

The seated exercise program is designed to meet the needs of residents who are unable to stand independently without assistance. They allow clients with significant mobility impairment to access a regular, group exercise program that aims to improve their quality of life. The exercises target various areas of fitness, such as motor skill, muscle endurance, joint range of motion, and cardiovascular endurance. The six classes are divided up into two groups of three, and can be used as step-by-step progressions to span the level of function between sitting and standing. In other words, for residents with rehabilitative potential, the program aims to progress them from functional sitting to the ability to commence functional standing retraining. For residents with limited rehabilitative potential, they can be used to maintain function. The colours are arranged as a rainbow, progressing in the following order: Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red. The classes are thematic, with each class employing a different piece of equipment (or combinations of these) to work on a particular component of fitness.

The cool colours (Purple, Blue, and Green) use one piece of equipment each, whereas the warm colours (Yellow, Orange, and Red) use two pieces of equipment for extra challenge (please refer to the exercise class for further details).

Exercises using the ball focus on fine motor skills in both the upper and lower limbs. The hand-weight allows for variable resistance and focuses on muscle endurance. Exercises using the band allows for a strengthening focus. Hence the program progresses from motor skill, to muscle endurance, then to strength.

Each class commences with a targeted warm-up and concludes with a cool-down.

Most of all, the classes are meant to be enjoyed with others! So go and have fun!