{"id":830767,"date":"2026-11-11T03:40:10","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T03:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/830767\/"},"modified":"2026-11-11T03:40:10","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T03:40:10","slug":"social-media-fitness-icon-christine-hobson-73-shares-her-simple-5-move-strength-workout-no-gym-required","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/830767\/","title":{"rendered":"Social media fitness icon Christine Hobson, 73, shares her simple 5-move strength workout \u2013 no gym required"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want tangible evidence that it\u2019s never too late to get fit and strong? Look no further than 73-year-old fitness influencer, marathon extraordinaire and Guinness World Record holder (she\u2019s the oldest woman to complete the Antarctic Ice Marathon), Christine Hobson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018I retired on the Friday, and I did the London Marathon on the Sunday, to prove to myself I wasn’t on the scrapheap,\u2019 she said on This Morning earlier this year, after her granddaughter \u2018taught [her] to do TikTok\u2019 and one of her videos went viral.<\/p>\n

Since becoming an online sensation, Christine \u2013 a former headteacher \u2013 has become passionate about showing other women that they too can start building lifelong strength and fitness at any age. She regularly shares videos with advice on how to get started.<\/p>\n

The health benefits of building strength and muscle<\/a> are far-reaching. Yes, doing so can help you continue to move well and independently, but a growing body of research also suggests wider protective effects.<\/p>\n

In fact, a recent study<\/a> found that women who completed two or more hours of strength training a week had a 22% lower risk of developing major cardiovascular disease<\/a>, and a 44% lower risk of a heart attack<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While two hours might sound like a lot at first glance, short home workouts can add up quickly. And, as Christine wrote<\/a> in a recent Instagram post detailing her beginner workout: \u2018Take your time, work at your own level and build from there. You don\u2019t need to do everything on day one. You just need to start.\u2019<\/p>\n

Christine\u2019s beginner strength workout<\/p>\n

No gym membership? No problem. The beginner-friendly workout Christine recently shared can easily be done at home. You\u2019ll just need a chair and a stable surface, such as a kitchen counter.<\/p>\n

\u2018Start with one round [of each exercise], using the supported versions shown in the video,\u2019 advises Christine. \u2018As you get stronger and more confident, gradually work towards three sets [of each exercise], at least three times a week, before progressing to anything more challenging.\u2019
<\/p>\n

Seated heel drop x 10Standing mountain climber x 10Squat<\/a> x 10Countertop push-up x 10Step-over x 10How to do Christine\u2019s 5 exercises1. Seated heel drop x 10Sit towards the front of a sturdy chair with a tall, upright posture and your feet just above the floor.Lift your feet slightly before bringing them down firmly so your heels tap the floor.Repeat.2. Standing mountain climber x 5 on each sideStand facing a wall or sturdy surface and place your hands on it for support.Take one step back with both feet so you are leaning forwards slightly.Brace your core, keep your chest lifted and look straight ahead.Lift one knee towards your chest. Lower it and repeat with the other leg, alternating sides.3. Squat x 5Stand with your feet about hip-width apart. Toes can point slightly out if that feels natural. Hold onto a chair for support as needed.With your ribcage stacked over your pelvis, send your hips back and bend your knees \u2013 as if sitting onto a chair behind you.Keep your chest relaxed and upright as you lower to a comfortable, pain-free depth.Push the floor away through your whole foot to return to standing.4. Countertop push-up x 5Find a stable surface that\u2019s higher than the floor, such as a kitchen counter, and plant your hands shoulder-width apart with your shoulders over your wrists. Keep your body as straight as possible.Slowly lower your chest towards your hands by bending your elbows and pointing them backwards \u2013 think of making an arrow shape.Once your shoulders are at elbow height, push back up.5. Step-over x 5 on each sideStand behind a row of three low, stable obstacles, ensuring you can hold onto something like a chair for support.Step over them one at a time, lifting each foot high enough to clear the obstacle, before repeating the movement in the opposite direction.Once you’ve cleared all three obstacles, repeat with the other foot.\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Hannah Bradfield is a Senior Health and Fitness Writer for Women\u2019s Health UK. An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Hannah graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in English and Sport Science and an MA in Media and Cultural Analysis. \u00a0She has been covering sports, health and fitness for the last five years and has created content for outlets including BBC Sport, BBC Sounds, Runner\u2019s World and Stylist. She especially enjoys interviewing those working within the community to improve access to sport, exercise and wellness. Hannah is a 2024 John Schofield Trust Fellow and was also named a 2022 Rising Star in Journalism by The Printing Charity. \u00a0A keen runner, Hannah was firmly a sprinter growing up (also dabbling in long jump) but has since transitioned to longer-distance running. While 10K is her favoured race distance, she loves running or volunteering at parkrun every Saturday, followed, of course, by pastries. She\u2019s always looking for fun new runs and races to do and brunch spots to try.<\/p>\n