Skip to content

Over 60? Do These 5 Exercises Daily to Stay Strong & Mobile

Stay strong and mobile with these simple exercises.
FACT CHECKED BY Alek Korab

As you get older, staying active becomes even more important for maintaining strength, mobility, and independence. While aging naturally leads to muscle loss, joint stiffness, and a decline in balance, the right exercises can counteract these effects. A well-structured daily routine can help keep your body strong, improve flexibility, and support overall mobility, allowing you to continue enjoying your favorite activities without discomfort or limitations.

Strength and mobility training aren't just for athletes, they're essential for everyone, especially as you pass the age of 60. Building muscle strength protects your joints and bones, reducing the risk of falls and injuries, while mobility exercises keep your body flexible and functional. Many people assume that aches, pains, and reduced movement are inevitable with aging, but the reality is that a consistent exercise routine can slow or even reverse these declines. By focusing on key movement patterns, you can improve posture, boost circulation, and enhance your overall well-being.

The best part? You don't need fancy equipment or a gym membership to maintain strength and mobility. Simple, effective bodyweight movements can be performed daily in the comfort of your home. Below are five of the best exercises to help you stay strong, mobile, and independent well into your later years. If you're over 60, make these a daily habit to move better, feel better, and keep doing what you love.

Are Your Workouts Making You Store More Fat? 6 Exercises To Avoid

The Daily Strength & Mobility Routine

These five exercises target essential movement patterns, improving full-body strength, flexibility, and balance. Perform them every day to stay mobile and resilient.

Sit-to-Stand (Chair Squat)

Yoga with a chair. Fit adult caucasian woman practice squat with props on a mat in loft white studio indoor, selective focus. Fitness, workout, trainer, sport, healthy lifestyle, concept.
Shutterstock

This simple movement mimics the action of standing up from a chair—one of the most functional movements for maintaining independence. It strengthens the legs, glutes, and core while improving balance and coordination. Over time, this exercise can make standing, walking, and climbing stairs feel easier.

  1. Sit on the edge of a sturdy chair with your feet hip-width apart.
  2. Engage your core and press through your heels to stand up without using your hands.
  3. Slowly lower yourself back down, keeping control throughout the movement.
  4. If needed, use a light push from your hands for assistance.

Perform 3 sets of 10–12 reps.

6 Standing Workouts for a Stronger, Leaner Core

Standing Leg Lifts

Standing leg lift
Shutterstock

Maintaining strong legs and hip stability is key to preventing falls and improving balance. This exercise targets the hip flexors, glutes, and lower-body stabilizers, helping you stay steady on your feet.

  1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart, holding onto a chair or wall for support.
  2. Lift one leg straight out in front of you, keeping it as straight as possible. Hold for a second, then lower it down.
  3. Next, lift the same leg out to the side, hold for a second, then lower it.
  4. Finally, lift the leg straight back behind you, engaging your glutes, then lower it.
  5. Repeat on the other leg.

Perform 3 sets of 10 reps per movement (front, side, and back) on each leg

Wall Push-Ups

Sporty woman doing press ups against a white wall outside, wall push up.
Shutterstock

Upper body strength is just as important as lower body strength for maintaining mobility. Wall push-ups build strength in the arms, chest, and shoulders while reinforcing core stability, helping with daily activities like pushing, pulling, and lifting.

  1. Stand facing a wall, about arm's length away, with your hands placed shoulder-width apart on the wall.
  2. Keeping your body straight, bend your elbows to bring your chest toward the wall in a slow, controlled motion.
  3. Press back to the starting position, engaging your core and keeping your body aligned.

Perform 3 sets of 10–15 reps. To make it more challenging, step farther from the wall.

I'm 50+ and These 7 Fat-Blasting Habits Keep Me in the Best Shape of My Life

Seated Torso Twists

senior Japanese man wearing pink parka doing seated torso twist stretch on a lawn
Shutterstock

Spinal mobility is crucial for maintaining good posture, reducing stiffness, and preventing back pain. This exercise increases core flexibility and rotation, making everyday activities like turning to look behind you or reaching for objects easier.

  1. Sit upright in a sturdy chair with your feet flat on the floor and hands on your thighs.
  2. Engage your core and slowly twist your torso to one side, keeping your hips stable.
  3. Hold for a second, then return to center and twist to the other side.
  4. To increase difficulty, hold a light weight or medicine ball as you twist.

Perform 3 sets of 10 reps per side.

Here's How Long Your Incline Walking Workout Should Be To Shrink Belly Fat

Heel-to-Toe Walk

Happy active mid aged adult couple having fun walking and balancing and bonding in park or nature outdoors, healhty active mature people exercise concept
Shutterstock

Good balance is essential for preventing falls and staying steady on your feet. This exercise strengthens the muscles that support balance and coordination, improving your confidence in daily movements.

  1. Stand tall and place one foot directly in front of the other, heel touching the toes of the opposite foot.
  2. Walk forward in a straight line, keeping your gaze straight ahead and arms relaxed at your sides.
  3. If needed, extend your arms slightly or use a nearby surface for support.

Perform 3 sets of 10 steps, moving slowly and maintaining control.

Tyler Read, BSc, CPT
Tyler Read is a personal trainer and has been involved in health and fitness for the past 15 years. Read more about Tyler
Filed Under