Struggling To Lift Your Leg Into The Car? Here's The Fix

Struggling to lift your leg into the car? Here's the fix. Hi, I'm Ryan. I help seniors get stronger and move better from home. So if you want more tips like this, then follow me. If getting into the car has become harder, if lifting your leg into the seat takes effort or feels embarrassing, you're not alone. This is one of those little daily reminders that your strength is slipping away and it's scary because it feels like you're losing your independence. But here's the good news. This is fixable. So comment "LEG" below if this is something that you've been dealing with. The exercise that fixes this is called seated knee raises, also known as hip flexion. This exercise strengthens your hip flexors, the muscles that lift your leg, and it mimics the exact movement that you need to get into a car. Here's what it looks like. While seated in a chair, lift one knee up towards your chest as high as you can comfortably go. Then hold for one or two seconds at the top and lower it back down slow and controlled. That's one rep. Do eight to 10 reps on each leg. After a few weeks, as you get stronger, try holding that top position for three to five seconds. Again, lowering nice and slow and controlled. You can also push down on your leg with both hands, adding resistance. This strengthens the triceps on the back of your arms too. Just make sure you keep your shoulders down when you do this. Do not let them shrug up like this. Make sure you save this so you can come back to it later. So that's how you get your leg strength back and make getting into the car feel easy again. Now comment "LEG" below if you're trying this today to start getting your leg strength back and share this with someone who's been struggling to get in and out of the car. This one exercise can help them feel capable again.