Hi folks,
I seem to be seeing a lot of adverts, mostly on-line, about Tai-Chi chair exercises for seniors. I suspect some AI computer has targeted me with these adverts because I recently bought something from Decathlon and an algorithm somewhere must think I am interested.
Having seen dozens of these adverts, I guess constant repetition is working, because I am asking this question:
Has anyone on here used a Tai Chi chair exercise program for seniors and, if so, what was your experience with it?
Tai-chi walking, too.
I think it’s just ordinary exercise with “tai-chi” added to the title ![]()
If it gets people moving, it’s good.
AFAIK Tai-chi just means waving your arms about in Chinese. ![]()
Though I could be wrong - it has happened. ![]()
We have a gym class every week at the SdFetes and some exercises we do sitting down but most are done on your feet.
Age ranges from kids to grownups and it’s an enjoyable get together which actually does do us a lot of good as well.
Last weekend, during an outing, I sat down on what turned out to be a very, very low settee sort of thingy, 5 of us on it. ![]()
OH offered to haul me out when we had to get back to our cars but, I am pleased to say, I managed to get out on my own without any grimaces/grunts whatsoever.. in fact some friends cheered!
I’m sure our Instructor will be pleased to know that the exercises are working well. ![]()
EDIT: ours is “gentle gym” which works all our muscles and it’s Free!
Everyone works to one’s own ability… No idea what it is per se as our Volunteer Instructor sets the programme for each session… but I’ve regained lost muscles and flexibility after breakages and all other sorts of dramas. after some breaks it took 2 years to be “normal” (OH reckons I’ve never been normal..
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They are a marketing ploy in many senses, although anything that gets seniors moving is good!
I have done Tai Chi classes in China, and in Paris, and the movements are slow and very controlled. And tough as a lot to do with balance. What I’ve just looked seems to be flapping around! (Since no Tai Chi where I was I moved on to Qi Gong which is a similar martial art, but not the same)
I think you are drawn in to sign up to a paid for plan. As far as I’m concerned you can devise exactly the same type of plan yourself for free. So whether it’s worth it depends whether you need a bot harassing you to do exercises every day or are able to motivate yourself.
I think I have posted elsewhere that I currently have a sports coach at home once a week as I have lost so much muscle from illness. He has been great in putting together a simple daily routine for me that I can feel making a difference (and is also a martial arts teacher). So far I am managing to motivate myself maybe 4 days a week and I can feel it making a difference. Incredibly straightforward as I can’t use my shoulders at all yet so no weights.
Before you pay out money I would find a sturdy chair and see if you can do 10 minutes a day? I also find things like Mr Motivator good as he’s hysterical, and not in bad shape for 73. I can’t stand being lectured by a lithe young thing in lycra. Try some of his videos.
My wife does Tai Chi. Believe me 45 minutes of “waving your arms about” is bloody hard work!
I’ve heard of Mr Movitator - or at least I think I have - the man I’m thinking of was around in the 70’s.
I’ll have a look at those video after dinner ![]()
Another athlete who’s always in a good mood—he really helped me recover when I needed it!
I did look at hime, but the American faith based approach didn’t grab me as much as the sheer silliness of Mr Motivator. .
I didn’t listen to what he was saying—his big, beaming smile was enough to motivate me! I gesticulated like him, just to keep moving even though I had a broken foot !
Smiles do it for me too.
All they want to exercise is your credit card.