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Do you push off the arms of a chair to stand up?
How about that low toilet or booth at your favorite restaurant?
Do you avoid low, soft chairs because they’re hard to get out of?
Your ability to stand up from a chair is one of the best indicators of lower body strength, muscle power, balance, and independence.
Try this simple test at home:
✅ Use a standard chair (17 to 18 inches high).
✅ Sit near the front edge with your feet flat on the floor.
✅ Cross your arms over your chest.
✅ Stand up and sit down 5 times as quickly, but safely, as you can.
✅ Time yourself and stop the timer when you are standing after the fifth repetition.
Your Results:
🟢 Under 12 seconds: Excellent
🟡 12 to 15 seconds: Needs Improvement
🔴 Over 15 seconds: Higher Risk, or if you needed to use your hands to stand.
This test measures more than LEG STRENGTH. It measures the MUSCLE POWER needed to get out of a chair, rise from the toilet, get out of your car, and recover your balance if you stumble.
The good news? Muscle power can improve at any age!
Were you surprised how tiring that was?
Stay tuned for Test #3: Balance!
