In the Series ‘Our Personal Trainer’
Berlin fitness coach Sebastian Grüner helps us become stronger, healthier, and more beautiful. This article is part of ZEIT am Wochenende, issue 08/2025.
Strictly speaking, the worst thing you can do with a chair is to sit on it. Sitting too much is unhealthy, as everyone knows by now. But before you throw all your chairs on the scrap heap, wait a moment: Our fitness trainer Sebastian Grüner will show you how to turn a seat into a sports equipment in the coming weeks. He starts with the one-legged knee bend.
The Problem with Sitting
Sitting for too long is a major health risk. It can lead to:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
Sitting for long periods of time puts pressure on your spine and discs, which can lead to pain and discomfort. It can also weaken your core muscles and lead to poor posture. Sitting for too long can also lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
The Benefits of Exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways to improve your health and well-being. It can help you:
- Lose weight
- Build muscle
- Improve your cardiovascular health
- Reduce your risk of chronic diseases
- Boost your mood
- Sleep better
- Live longer
Exercise is essential for a healthy lifestyle. It can help you improve your physical health, mental health, and overall well-being.
How to Turn a Chair into a Sports Equipment
Our fitness trainer Sebastian Grüner will show you how to turn a chair into a sports equipment in the coming weeks. He will start with the one-legged knee bend.
The one-legged knee bend is a great exercise for:
- Strengthening your legs
- Improving your balance
- Increasing your flexibility
To do the one-legged knee bend, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lift your right leg off the ground and bend your left knee so that your thigh is parallel to the ground. Hold for a moment, then slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position.
Repeat for 10-12 repetitions, then switch legs.
Conclusion
Sitting too much is unhealthy, but you don’t have to throw away all your chairs. With a little creativity, you can turn a chair into a sports equipment and get all the benefits of exercise without having to go to the gym.
Our fitness trainer Sebastian Grüner will show you how to do it in the coming weeks. So stay tuned!
