5 Chair Exercises That Restore Hip Strength Faster Than Yoga After 60

A lot of hip strength shows up in moments that barely register. You pivot in the kitchen, step off a curb, or turn around when someone calls your name, and your hips quietly keep your body centered as your weight shifts. When they’re doing that job well, walking and changing direction feel smoother and more secure.

With clients over 60, I often use a chair early in hip-strength work because it provides a dependable point of contact as they learn the movement. It lets them put attention on where they feel the effort, how their foot connects with the floor, and whether their pelvis stays level as one leg takes on more of the load. Once that feels steady, progress can come from a slightly deeper range, a stronger band, or less help from the chair.

Yoga can be valuable for keeping the hips mobile and helping...