As an unfit morbidly obese woman who can barely walk, I was recommended for sitting workouts as well as standing workouts. I decided to try both, a day after each other this month and decide what is currently the best for me. This might change in the future when I get more mobility, but currently at over 500lbs exercise will look different.
The Workouts I Tried
I didn’t create these workouts myself, I do not have enough background knowledge in it just yet. I followed along with videos I found online:
- Standing Workout Video: https://youtu.be/rsb8ADdXS2s?si=n6Dd28QwfQeQb-Zl
- Sitting Workout Video: https://youtu.be/f-V31VugkHw?si=x1hnDhUVvH_-eYDI
Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start, so I thought: why not test both?
My Workout Setup
More or less non-existent. Currently just a little patch at the front of the living room, near the tv, but space to get up and move around and a resting chair for either resting or exercise!
Starting with nothing is better than waiting to buy all the fancy equipment and gym membership and still being the couch potato!
My Thoughts: Standing vs Sitting
Sitting Workout:
I started off with the sitting workout. A 10 minute work out sitting down. How hard can it be? Bear in mind I have done no exercise in forever! It was harder than expected. I found the chair restricted my leg movement, but that could be as I am so big and probably don’t sit properly on a chair that it could be the cause. That said the arm movements were great and I could do them easily. My upper body certainly got more of a workout. I only managed to do 5 minutes with 2 breaks every 2 minutes. So at 2,4 and stopped at 5. My body was telling me to stop or it seriously was going to dislike me for the rest of the day.
Standing Workout:
The following day knowing what I learnt from the previous day I set up for a 5 minute video. Still wasn’t able to complete in one go, so split it up with 3 and 2 minutes, so an improvement in one day. Having the weight on my legs and marching on spot, knowing I can’t do the full range of moves showed, even on the basic level. It was still better than doing nothing. I liked the video offered a range so when I’m able to, I can do more challenging exercise. As it was short it felt more like a warm up, which is where I am at now. I found moving my arms and legs together complicated at times, as they weren’t always obeying me, but I was moving along. As I was standing and having the weight distributed better so this was easier for me and I felt I was getting more out of the exercise.
For now, I think standing workout, but I like the idea of keeping both options. Some days I’ll want the challenge of standing, and others I’ll appreciate the control of sitting. Plus it would be good to see how far I get one day.
Looking Ahead
This was the first steps, figuring out what is right for me and getting ready for when schools go back in September when I can fully focus on this with no distractions. My goal isn’t perfection, it’s building habits and finding movement that works for me, even in a limited space.
I’ll keep experimenting with different routines and sharing what I learn along the way.
👉 Do you prefer standing or sitting workouts? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Couch Potato to World Getter 
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