Bench exercises offer stability and an effective way to focus on leg strength as you age.
If your goal is to build stronger legs, your first instinct may be to hit the gym and start with free weights, leg extensions, and the leg press machine. While the gym can provide a social atmosphere, you can strengthen your strength in this area of the body at home. We with Jose GuevaraFitness expert, chiropractor, gym equipment tester and owner ShreddedDad.comwho gives us cattle bench exercises you can leg strengthening even faster than weight gain after 60.
What makes bench exercises safe and effective


“Bench exercises provide stability and a stopping point in the over-60 population so they can still exercise with less risk of falling,” Guevara said. “If someone over 60 tries to squat and can’t balance themselves at the bottom or doesn’t have the strength to get back up, they can fall and injure themselves.”
Working with a chair provides a “safety net” and a cue so you know exactly how far you are.
Below, Guevara shares four bench exercises that will help strengthen your legs after age 60.
Bench squats
“Squats are good around the quads, hamstrings, and hamstrings for everyday activities like getting in and out of a chair, getting in and out of a car, using the toilet, etc.,” Guevara explains.
- Begin by standing in front of a sturdy chair with your feet on the ground.
- Activate your core and keep your chest up.
- Bending at the knees and hips, slowly rise up – as if you were going to sit down. Make sure your weight stays on your heels.
- Touch the surface of the chair with your ankles.
- Press through your heels to bounce back.
He carries a calf
“Standing calf raises can be done by hanging onto the back of a chair and up and down on your toes,” says Guevara.
- Start standing tall with your feet apart at the bar and facing a sturdy chair with your hands resting lightly on the back.
- Engage your core.
- Slowly rise to your toes.
- Hold at the top for 2 to 3 seconds.
- Lower back down with control.
Lags
- Stand tall, perpendicular to the back of a sturdy chair, with your feet parallel and hip-width apart.
- Step one foot forward and use a chair for support.
- As you bend your knees, engage your core to form a 90-degree bend in both legs.
- Keep your upper body straight.
- Push through your front heel and the ball of your back foot to bounce back.
Squat holds
- Start standing in front of a sturdy chair with your legs spread and arms extended in front of you.
- Bend over until your shins are just above the chair.
- Hold for 5 to 10 seconds.
- Sit to rest before repeating.
Alexa Mellardo
Alexa is a freelance writer, editor and content strategist in Greenwich, CT. She has over 11 years of experience in health, fitness, nutrition, travel, lifestyle and home. Read more about Alexa




