Exercise from Home for Muscle Strength: Benefits and Tips for Older Adults

Exercise from Home for Muscle Strength: Benefits and Tips for Older Adults

Did you know adults can regain muscle strength even in their 80s?” Doing exercise from home for muscle strength is one of the best ways older adults can stay strong, independent, and active. Strength training doesn’t require a gym — with the right guidance, it can be done safely from your living room. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of exercise, practical tips for building muscle strength at home, and how Summit Health Solutions’ Telehealth Exercise Program makes it easier than ever to get started.

Why Focus on Exercise from Home for Muscle Strength?

As we age, muscle mass naturally declines, a process known as sarcopenia. Without intervention, this leads to weakness, frailty, and higher risk of falls. But with regular strength training at home, older adults can:

  • Maintain independence in daily tasks

  • Improve bone health and joint stability

  • Boost balance and reduce fall risk

  • Support heart, brain, and metabolic health

  • Enhance mood and overall quality of life

For example, 72-year-old Anna started a simple home routine with guidance from our Telehealth Exercise Program. Within two months she could climb the stairs without support and even lift her grocery bags with ease. “I didn’t think I could rebuild strength at my age,” Anna says, “but exercising at home made it easy — and fun!”

A 2023 study led by Dawson and Oliveira, published in PubMed, demonstrated that home-based and telehealth exercise programs improve strength, balance, and mobility in older adults.

The Benefits of Exercise for Older Adults

The benefits of exercise extend far beyond stronger muscles:

  • Better bone and joint health – slows bone density loss and supports arthritis management

  • Cardiovascular support – helps regulate blood pressure and circulation

  • Mental health boost – lowers risk of depression and supports cognition

  • Metabolic improvements – supports weight and blood sugar control

  • Quality of life – makes everyday tasks easier and reduces reliance on others

In short, exercise for older adults is both preventative and restorative.

Safe Exercise at Home: Why Guidance Matters

While exercising at home can be convenient, it’s important to acknowledge that not all exercises are safe for every older adult. Factors like balance, joint issues, or chronic conditions mean that “generic routines” may not be suitable. Without professional oversight, the risk of injury or setbacks increases.

That’s why guidance is essential:

  • Personalised exercise plans ensure movements are tailored to your health status.

  • Proper technique and form prevent strain and falls.

  • Safe progression avoids overexertion while still building strength.

  • Adaptations for chronic conditions (arthritis, osteoporosis, heart disease) make exercise possible — and beneficial — without added risk.

This is exactly where a structured program like Summit Health Solutions’ Telehealth Exercise Program makes all the difference. Through video sessions, seniors receive safe, real-time supervision, adjustments when needed, and encouragement to keep moving consistently.

Summit Health Solutions’ Telehealth Exercise Program

At Summit Health Solutions, we know that staying strong at home is vital. Our Telehealth Exercise Program is designed for seniors and offers:

  • Personalised exercise plans (we have dedicated themes per round, not just random workouts)

  • Live video guidance and supervision

  • Progress tracking and safe adjustments

  • The convenience of training from home

  • A sense of connection and accountability

A 2023 study published in the National Library of Medicine supports the feasibility and effectiveness of telehealth programs for older adults.

You may be interested to read our previous blog entitled “Why Exercise After 70 Is the Most Important Thing You Can Do for Your Health?”, as it explains why staying active after 70 is the best investment in your health, the proven benefits, and how our Telehealth Exercise Program makes it safer and easier than ever to stay moving.

Sample At-Home Strength Builders

These gentle moves are part of the guided routines we often use in Summit Health Solutions’ Telehealth Exercise Sessions. They can be adapted to your comfort and ability:

  • Sit-to-Stand

    • Sit on a sturdy chair with feet flat on the floor.

    • Lean slightly forward and stand up slowly, then sit back down.

    • Benefit: Strengthens legs and core, making everyday activities like getting out of a chair or climbing stairs easier.

  • Standing Balance

    • Stand behind a chair, holding it lightly for support.

    • Lift one foot slightly off the floor and hold for 10–15 seconds.

    • Repeat on the other side.

    • Benefit: Improves balance and stability, helping reduce fall risk.

These exercises are a small sample of the safe, tailored activities included in our live telehealth sessions, where professionals watch your form and adjust movements in real time.

Overcoming Barriers to Exercise from Home

Many older adults worry about exercising at home, but barriers can be managed.

  • Technology concerns – use tablets or laptops, practice beforehand, and ask providers for step-by-step guides.

  • Fear of injury – start light, focus on form, and use professional guidance.

  • Motivation – treat sessions like appointments and track progress.

  • Chronic conditions – adapt exercises as needed; strength training often benefits arthritis, osteoporosis, and heart conditions when tailored correctly.

FAQs

Is it safe for older adults to start exercising at home?
Yes — but safety depends on your health history, mobility, and current strength. That’s why professional assessment and guided programs, such as Summit Health Solutions’ Telehealth Exercise Program, are strongly recommended.

What makes telehealth exercise programs different from exercising on my own?
With telehealth, you don’t just follow a generic video — you get real-time supervision, tailored plans, and feedback from qualified professionals, ensuring every move is safe and effective.

I have arthritis/osteoporosis — can I still do strength exercises?
Absolutely. In fact, strength training often improves joint stability and bone health. However, exercises must be adapted to your condition, which is why expert guidance is crucial.

Do I need equipment to participate?
Not necessarily. Many programs use resistance bands, light weights, or everyday household items. Your telehealth provider will suggest what’s safe and effective for your level.

How soon will I notice the benefits?
Many older adults experience improvements in energy, confidence, and mobility within weeks. With consistent participation, strength and balance gains usually appear after 6–12 weeks.

Committing to exercise from home for muscle strength helps older adults stay independent, confident, and healthy. With the proven benefits of exercise and support from telehealth, strength training is more accessible than ever.

At Summit Health Solutions, our Telehealth Exercise Program gives seniors the expert guidance and convenience needed to build strength safely from home. Learn how our Telehealth Program ensures every move is safe — click here to find out more.

Contact Summit Health Solutions today and take your first step toward a stronger, more independent future. Start today — your stronger, safer future begins with one session.


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