Arm Circles
While seated upright at the front of your seat, hold your arms straight out to each side and slowly rotate your hands in a small circular motion. Complete at least 20 revolutions in each direction, rotating forward, then backward. For a faster warm-up, you can also continue marching with your feet while you rotate your arms.
Arm Cross
Hold one arm across your chest and perpendicular to the floor. Use your other arm to gently pull on this outstretched arm and you’ll feel the muscles stretch on the back of your arm. Hold this position for 20 to 30 seconds before switching to the other arm. Remember to sit up straight at the front edge of the seat.
Arm Raises
Sit up straight at the front edge of the seat. Raise one arm out directly in front of you and then straight up above your head. Lower your arm and raise the opposite arm. Alternate from side to side slowly, working on raising your arm as high as possible. Complete 10 repetitions with each arm, then do 10 repetitions raising both arms at the same time.
Chest Press
Sit upright with your back against the PostureProp™. Make sure the Resistance Anchor Cable™ exercise cables are positioned under your arms for this exercise. Starting with your hands close to your shoulders, press straight out with both arms simultaneously until your arms are straight in front of you and fully extended. Slowly ease your hands back to the starting position, maintaining resistance on the return as well as the press. Repeat 8 to 15 times and remember to keep your wrists locked firmly throughout the movement.
Hand Stretch
With both arms extended straight out forward, open and close your hands. Open your fingers as far as possible, then clench your hand into a fist. Repeat this 10 to 15 times. Remember to keep your posture straight and remain seated at the front edge of the chair seat
Kneeling Twist
This routine stretches your back and torso. Sit sideways on the chair with one knee on the ground and your arm resting on the backrest. Raise your other arm so that it is perpendicular to the ground and move it slowly in a horizontal direction so that you twist your upper body. Hold this position for at least 20 seconds on each side as you feel the stretch.
Leg Raises
While sitting with your back up straight on the front edge of the chair, extend one leg out straight, then raise the leg off the ground and point your toe while supporting the leg under the knee. After you raise your leg, bend your ankle and rotate your foot in a circular direction, once to the right and once to the left. Keep your back and shoulders straight as you sit on the front edge of the seat. After completing 5 to 10 repetitions with one leg, switch to the other leg and repeat.
Marching in Place
While seated at the front edge of the chair, “march” with your arms and legs. Alternate between raising your left leg and right arm, and raising your right leg and left arm in a steady marching motion. Complete 20 to 30 repetitions on each side.
Push Out with Arms
Push out with both arms, as if you’re pushing a door shut, and kick out one leg at the same time. Alternate kicking out one leg at a time, pushing out with your arms with each leg kick. This will warm up your shoulders and stretch the back of your legs. Complete 10 to 15 repetitions with each leg.
Shoulder Roll
This stretches the tricep muscles at the back of your upper arm. Hold one arm behind your head so that your elbow points up toward the ceiling. With the other hand, slowly pull on the elbow and hold it as you take a few slow breaths. Hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds with each arm.
Shoulder Stretch
As you sit with your back upright at the front edge of the chair, extend both arms backward and try to touch your hands behind the chair. Hold this position as you inhale and exhale for 3 to 4 breaths. This is a good warm-up routine for the shoulders and abdomen.
Tricep Stretch
This stretches the tricep muscles at the back of your upper arm. Hold one arm behind your head so that your elbow points up toward the ceiling. With the other hand, slowly pull on the elbow and hold it as you take a few slow breaths. Hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds with each arm.
Upper Body Twist
While seated with your back upright at the front edge of the seat, cross your right leg over the left knee, then slowly twist your body and look over your right shoulder. Hold this position for 10 seconds, then switch to the other side and repeat the same routine in the opposite direction. Remember to inhale and exhale as you perform this stretch...don’t hold your breath.
Ab Crunch
With the upper Resistance Anchor Cable™ exercise cables extended over your shoulders, interlock your fingers in front of your chest by pulling the two handles together. Bend at your waist and pull against the cables, which isolates the resistance on your stomach muscles. Bend forward as far as comforably possible then return slowly to the starting position. Repeat this for 10 to 15 repetitions.
Bent Row (back and shoulders)
Begin this exercise by bending over and supporting yourself with one hand and one knee on the chair seat. Pull straight up on the lower cable so that your hand ends up near your chest. Keep your torso steady during this routine and try not to jerk with your body as you begin each repetition. Repeat 8 to 15 times with each arm.
Bicep Curl
Sit with your back upright and pressed against the PostureProp and your arms close to your knees. Pull your arm up, bending at the elbow, and keep the rest of your body stationary. Keep your palms facing up and your wrists locked. Lower your arms slowly to the starting position, maintaining resistance on the way down. Repeat for 8 to 15 repetitions.
Chest Press
Sit upright with your back against the PostureProp™. Make sure the Resistance Anchor Cable™ exercise cables are positioned under your arms for this exercise. Starting with your hands close to your shoulders, press straight out with both arms simultaneously until your arms are straight in front of you and fully extended. Slowly ease your hands back to the starting position, maintaining resistance on the return as well as the press. Repeat 8 to 15 times and remember to keep your wrists locked firmly throughout the movement.
Front Raises: (shoulders)
This exercise begins in the same position as in the Lateral Raise, with both arms down at your sides and your back upright. Pull the cables up, keeping your arms extended straight out in front of you. Bring your arms up as high as possible and very slowly return to the starting position while maintaining resistance on the return portion of the exercise. Repeat 8 to 15 times and remember to keep your back straight.
Front Step: (thighs and calves)
With the Health Step™ locked onto the back legs of the chair, stand behind the chair with both hands on the Balance Bar and face forward. Step up with your right foot, then step up with your left foot. Once both feet are on top of the Health Step, step down with your right foot, then your left. Repeat 8 to 15 times with each leg, alternating from one foot to the other.
High Kick
First verify that the Health Step™ is locked onto the back legs of the chair. Face the chair at an angle while holding the Balance Bar with your right hand and stepping first with your right foot. With your right foot on the Step, kick your left knee up. Bring the knee back down to the Step, then move off the Step with your left leg first and then your right. After 10 or more repetitions repeat the exercise in the opposite direction, kicking up with your right foot.
Incline Press
Sit up straight with your back arched and pressed against the PostureProp and the exercise cables positioned under your arms. With your hands close to your shoulders, press forward and upward at an approximate 45-degree angle until your arms are fully extended, then return slowly to the starting position. Repeat this exercise for 8 to 15 repetitions.
Knee Bend (thighs)
Begin this exercise by standing at one side of the chair and holding the Balance Bar with one hand. Bend your knees and squat down while keeping your upper body upright and perpendicular to the ground. Slowly raise your body back into the fully upright position. Repeat 8 to 15 times.
Lateral Raises: (shoulders)
Sit up with your back straight and resting against the PostureProp. Beginning with your arms down at your sides, raise your arms to your sides, keeping the elbows as straight as possible. Keep your palms facing down throughout the exercise and return your arms slowly down to your sides with each repetition. Repeat this movement for 8 to 15 repetitions.
Overhead Press
Sit up straight with your back arched and pressed against the PostureProp™. Begin with your hands close to your shoulders and press straight up with both arms together until your arms are straight up above your head and fully extended. Slowly ease your hands back to the starting position, maintaining resistance on the return portion of the exercise. Repeat 8 to 15 times.
Side Step
Once you have locked the Health Step™ onto the back legs of the chair, stand sideways on the Step and steady yourself by holding the Balance Bar. Slowly raise one leg and then bring it back down to the starting position. After completing 8 to 12 repetitions of this exercise, turn the opposite direction and repeat the routine with your other leg.
Tricep Extension
While sitting upright with your back straight, start with your arms bent and your elbows pointed upward. Extend your arms until they are pointed up while keeping your elbows as stationary as possible. Slowly move your hand back to the starting position and maintain resistance in both directions as you repeat this exercise for 8 to 15 repetitions.