Tips from your favourite, friendly neighbourhood in-home physiotherapist
With how cold it’s been in the GTA lately, I’d love nothing more than to just stay home every night enjoying piping-hot meals with perfectly paired gin cocktails – but balance is everything.
Enjoying life is important. Taking care of your body is important too. And the truth is, you don’t need extreme workouts or fancy gym routines to do that. You just need a few simple, smart exercises that you can stick with.
Since February is all about love, we wanted to share five underrated exercises that you should consider falling in love with in 2026; especially if you want to support your heart health, stay independent, and keep moving with confidence.
For now, since it is still cold outside, we’ll keep it focused on indoor activities.
1. Indoor Walking Circuits (Your Heart Will Thank You)
Walking is still one of the safest and most effective ways to support your heart health, especially for seniors. And the good news is, you don’t need to go outside to do it.
You can do it indoors by simply doing laps around your home, your condo hallway, or on a treadmill if you have access to one. Looking for a challenge? Walking at a comfortable pace for a minute, then slightly faster for the next, and repeat that pattern a few times.
The goal isn’t speed. The goal is to gently raise your heart rate, keep it there for a few minutes, and build your stamina over time. This kind of steady movement is great for your heart, easy on your joints, and much more realistic to stick with long term.
2. Sit-to-Stands (Better Than Squats for Most People)
This is one of the most useful exercises for daily life. All you do is sit down on a chair and stand back up again – slowly, and with control.
Why does it matter? Because this is the movement you use every day: getting up from a chair, the couch, or the toilet. Stronger legs make life easier and safer.
It also gently challenges your heart, especially if you do several repetitions in a row. Think of it as training for real life, not for the gym.
3. Step-Ups (Stairs Are Your Friend)
Living in the GTA usually means stairs—at home, in condos, in public places. Step-ups are a great way to train for them.
Use a low step or the bottom stair. Step up with one foot, then the other, then step back down. Hold a railing or wall if you need balance.
This builds leg strength, improves balance, and gives your heart a light workout too. Small, steady steps really do add up.
4. Farmer’s Carries (Just Carry Something and Walk)
This one sounds fancy, but it’s very simple. Pick up something with a bit of weight—like grocery bags or light dumbbells—and walk.
This helps your grip strength, your posture, and your core. It also gently raises your heart rate, especially if you walk for a minute or two at a time.
Think of it as training for carrying groceries, laundry, or anything else life throws at you.
5. Band Rows (For Better Posture and Easier Breathing)
Using a resistance band, pull your elbows back and squeeze your shoulder blades together. This strengthens your upper back and helps you stand taller.
Better posture can make breathing feel easier and movement feel more comfortable. And when movement feels easier, you’re more likely to stay active (which is great news for your heart and your overall health).
Small Steps, Big Heart
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, whether you are single or taken, the first step in any kind of love is caring for yourself. Each small movement is a gift to your body, and these five exercises are just a few (highly recommended) ways to take those steps safely while keeping your heart strong. And yes, an occasional treat is fine (my little reminder to stay balanced), but indulgence matters less than consistency.