Chantelle Stryker, Personal Trainer and Fitness Expert on the ClassPass Corporate<\/a> team, gave us a great test to learn about your fitness. Stryker explains that, if you can do this many squats after 60, you\u2019re in great shape.<\/p>\n \u201cThe squat is one of our fundamental movement patterns. Every time you sit down and stand back up, you\u2019re performing a version of a squat. Climbing stairs requires many of the same major muscle groups, including the quadriceps, glutes and muscles surrounding the hips. Getting up from the floor requires an even greater combination of leg strength, mobility, balance, and coordination\u2014exactly what squat repetition challenges and builds,\u201d Stryker explains.<\/p>\n Why Lower-Body Strength Is Especially Important for Older Adults<\/p>\n Lower-body strength becomes even more crucial as you age because strong legs are essential to maintain balance, mobility, confidence, and independence.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we age, we naturally lose muscle mass, strength and power, which can make everyday movements more challenging if we aren\u2019t actively working to maintain them. Strengthening the major muscles of the legs and hips also supports joint stability, balance and our ability to react,\u201d Stryker explains.<\/p>\n If You Can Do These 8 Lower-Body Moves, Your Leg Strength Is Elite<\/a><\/p>\n What Daily Tasks Can Be Supported by Strong Leg Muscles?<\/p>\n Essentially every movement you do throughout the day calls for a strong, stable lower body. Strong legs allow you to stand up from a chair, walk longer, climb stairs, carry grocery bags, maintain balance, and step over obstacles.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is also important for the ability to react quickly. Catching yourself after a stumble, stepping off a curb unexpectedly or regaining your balance all require strength, coordination and stability from the lower body. That lower-body strength is ultimately about maintaining physical freedom,\u201d Stryker adds.<\/p>\n If You Can Pass These 4 Strength Tests After 45, Your Body Is Ahead of Its Time<\/a><\/p>\n How to Safely Perform a 60-Second Squat Test at Home<\/p>\n When performing squats at home, form and safety are key. Stryker recommends starting with a sturdy chair positioned against a wall so it\u2019s unable to move.<\/p>\n \u201cThe chair provides both a reference point and an added layer of confidence for balance,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what to do:<\/p>\n Stand in front of the chair with your feet hip- to shoulder-distance apart. \u201cIf balance, mobility or joint pain is a concern, begin with a limited range of motion-almost like practicing the first portion of sitting down. Only descend as far as you can while remaining controlled, balanced and pain-free,\u201d Stryker says. \u201cMost importantly, listen to your body. Muscle fatigue and exertion are normal, but sharp or sudden pain is a signal to stop. The goal of the test isn\u2019t simply to achieve the highest number possible; it\u2019s to assess and build the strength and movement capacity that helps you stay active and independent.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"mature](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/mature-woman-squats.jpg\")
Shutterstock<\/p>\n![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/shutterstock_2071257878b.jpg\")
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\nMaintain a tall chest and braced core.
\nPress your hips back while bending your knees to lower into a squat.
\nDrive through your feet to rise back up.<\/p>\n
![\"mature](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/mature-woman-squat.jpg\")
Shutterstock6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e<\/p>\n