Let’s Chat: Sit your butt down and exercise

By Linda Tooth on June 11, 2025.

Do you struggle with weight gain in your 50s or even later in life? One of the last things I had mentioned in Linda’s Lineup for 2025 was getting healthier. The last 12 months have been very stressful, and bags of potato chips have been my comfort food.

Unfortunately, with that comes extra pounds. If you are like me and are wondering what you can do to help shed unwanted pounds and get healthier, let me tell you what I have discovered.

Have you heard of chair fit or chair yoga? If you are over 50 and are on social media, you have probably been bombarded with ads for this revolutionary idea in exercising.

The main idea behind this form of exercising is that you are sitting in a chair while you exercise.

According to Women’s Health Magazine this type of exercise is beneficial to those who have suffered an injury or have had surgery (that’s me), maybe need extra support if they are pregnant (not me), or perhaps have mobility challenges (could be me).

For seniors – and according to Shoppers Drug Mart I qualify as a senior – this is a safe way to build strength and flexibility without risking a fall.

I attended my first chair fit class last week at the downtown YMCA. I did not know what to expect as I am not someone who has taken fitness seriously. Let me tell you folks, that has to and will change.

So, what does chair fit look like? Your butt is planted firmly in a chair, and you work on strengthening your upper and lower body and your core by doing exercises to music.

The real beauty with this type of exercising is that you do not need to buy any additional equipment. All you need is yourself, your butt, and a chair. Now you can do this form of exercise at home, but I chose to attend a class.

There were 10 people in the class I took with the majority being seniors. There was also one individual with mobility issues due to MS and they were using this class as a way to help build overall strength.

Everyone, except me, was a regular to this class. That tells me that they enjoy the 45-minute class. The instructor Jen HK is an outgoing likeable person with a personality that makes her the perfect instructor for this type of exercise.

If you are concerned with body image or your ability to keep up in the class, believe me when I tell you everyone is welcome. Jen HK teaches chair fit at both the Downtown and South Ridge YMCAs. Come join me as we work towards living a healthier life.

Have a Meowtastic Day and keep reading!

Linda Tooth is a part-time communications instructor at Medicine Hat College

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