Deans' stroke musings: 5 Chair Exercises That Build Core Strength Faster Than Planks After 60

Changing stroke rehab and research worldwide now.Time is Brain! trillions and trillions of neurons that DIE each day because there are NO effective hyperacute therapies besides tPA(only 12% effective). I have 523 posts on hyperacute therapy, enough for researchers to spend decades proving them out. These are my personal ideas and blog on stroke rehabilitation and stroke research. Do not attempt any of these without checking with your medical provider. Unless you join me in agitating, when you need these therapies they won't be there.

What this blog is for:

My blog is not to help survivors recover, it is to have the 10 million yearly stroke survivors light fires underneath their doctors, stroke hospitals and stroke researchers to get stroke solved. 100% recovery. The stroke medical world is completely failing at that goal, they don't even have it as a goal. Shortly after getting out of the hospital and getting NO information on the process or protocols of stroke rehabilitation and recovery I started searching on the internet and found that no other survivor received useful information. This is an attempt to cover all stroke rehabilitation information that should be readily available to survivors so they can talk with informed knowledge to their medical staff. It lays out what needs to be done to get stroke survivors closer to 100% recovery. It's quite disgusting that this information is not available from every stroke association and doctors group.

Sunday, May 3, 2026

5 Chair Exercises That Build Core Strength Faster Than Planks After 60

Did your competent? doctor get you recovered enough to do these exercises? OH, I see; YOUR DOCTOR DID NOTHING! Well what are YOU going to do about that incompetence? If your board of directors is also incompetent in not setting standards for stroke recovery then YOU have even more work to do! Reconstitute the whole stroke department/hospital!

I'm a certified trainer and here are 3 morning exercises that build core strength better than planks after 50

Many famous fitness icons believe in the power of morning exercise. Actor and fitness enthusiast Mark Wahlberg is one major fan and stays dedicated to his intense 4 a.m. workout sessions. In fact, the celeb says early morning workouts make him feel like he can "conquer the world"—they help him begin each day with a feeling of accomplishment, and science agrees.

According to Piedmont Healthcare, rising early and working out offers mental clarity, less distractions, and a boosted metabolism for the rest of the day. Having a morning routine in place is also a way to ensure it gets done. And one essential age-related item on that a.m. bucket list? Building your core. A strong core is essential for independent, active living. Your core includes your back, pelvic, and abdominal muscles, and helps you walk, lift, bend, and more. It's also key when it comes to keeping you from slouching and remaining balanced.

We spoke with Doug Bertram, M.S., L.Ac., MTCM—Founder & CEO of Structural Elements®, a three-time Ironman triathlete, and ultramarathoner—who shares three morning exercises to build core strength faster than planks after 50. With more than 30 years of experience, Bertram has progressed the field of orthopedic wellness by focusing on the body's structure rather than pain symptoms on their own. He developed the Structural Elements® Balancing Method, an integrative approach emphasizing postural alignment, fascia mapping, and tensegrity-based assessment.

"Core strength often declines after the age of 50 due to several factors, primarily related to the natural aging process," Bertram tells us. "One significant factor is sarcopenia, which is the age-related loss of muscle mass. As muscle fibers decrease, the core muscles, crucial for stability and support, become weaker. This decline in core strength negatively impacts balance, increasing the risk of falls, which can be particularly dangerous for older adults. Additionally, weakened core muscles contribute to poor posture, leading to discomfort and potential back pain."

Daily movement can become more laborsome, decreasing overall mobility, confidence, and independence. In addition to sarcopenia, stiffening of the fascia and reduced elasticity of tissues can make you less capable of distributing load.