Important: Always follow your surgeon's and physiotherapist's specific guidance. The information below is general in nature. Every hip replacement recovery is different, and your medical team's recommendations should take priority over any exercise guide.
Why Chair Exercises Help After Hip Replacement
After hip replacement surgery, your muscles need to regain the strength they lost during the period of reduced activity. The muscles around your hip — your glutes, quadriceps, and hip flexors — have likely weakened, and the surrounding tissues need gentle, progressive movement to heal properly.
Chair exercises are particularly well-suited for post-surgery recovery because the chair provides stability and support, reducing the risk of falls during a vulnerable period. You can control the range of motion precisely, and you can easily modify exercises to stay within your surgeon's guidelines.
When to Start Chair Exercises
Most physiotherapists will have you moving the day after surgery, starting with very gentle movements in bed. Chair exercises typically become appropriate within the first few weeks, depending on your surgeon's protocol. Always get clearance from your medical team before starting any new exercises.
Safe Chair Exercises for Hip Replacement Recovery
Seated Ankle Circles
Sit tall and lift one foot slightly off the floor. Slowly rotate your ankle in circles, 10 times in each direction. Switch feet. This improves circulation in your legs, which is important for preventing blood clots after surgery, and gently activates the lower leg muscles.
Seated Knee Extensions
Sit tall and slowly straighten one leg out in front of you. Hold for 3 seconds, then lower with control. Repeat 8 to 10 times per leg. This strengthens your quadriceps, which are essential for walking, stair climbing, and getting up from a seated position — all critical skills during recovery.
Seated Marches
Gently lift one knee toward the ceiling, then lower. Alternate legs in a slow marching rhythm. Start with 10 total and build up to 20. Keep the movement controlled and stay within a comfortable range — don't force the knee higher than feels natural.
Seated Calf Raises
With feet flat on the floor, slowly raise your heels as high as comfortable, pressing through the balls of your feet. Hold for 2 seconds, then lower. Repeat 12 to 15 times. This promotes circulation and strengthens the calf muscles that support walking.
Movements to Avoid
After a hip replacement, certain movements can put your new joint at risk. Your surgeon will give you specific precautions, but common restrictions include crossing your legs, bending your hip past 90 degrees, and twisting or rotating the operated leg inward. Choose chair exercises that keep your movements within these safe ranges.
Progressing Your Recovery
As you get stronger and your surgeon clears you for more activity, you can gradually progress from seated exercises to supported standing exercises and eventually to more challenging movements. The key is patience — pushing too hard too fast can set your recovery back.
A structured, progressive programme can make a significant difference in how quickly and fully you recover. Many people find that following a guided plan takes the guesswork out of which exercises to do and when to progress.
68 Chair Exercises with Video Demonstrations
Our chair exercises book provides a complete seated workout programme with illustrated instructions and companion videos so you can check your form at home. Perfect for recovery and ongoing fitness.
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