Leg Strength & Balance After Stroke
Stroke leg exercises can help rebuild strength, balance, and control after a stroke. Explore exercises and practical strategies to help you strengthen your affected leg, improve balance, and work toward safer, more confident standing and walking at home.
Start Here
Not sure where to begin? Start by understanding why leg weakness and balance problems are common after a stroke and how rebuilding strength, control, and confidence can help you move more safely. If you’re just beginning your recovery at home, visit the Start Here page for a broader roadmap.
5 Seated Stroke Exercises You Can Do Anywhere
These seated exercises are a great place to start if you are working on rebuilding strength, balance, and overall movement after a stroke. They can be practiced from a chair and adapted to your current ability level, making them a good option if you are not yet ready for standing exercises.
Building Leg Strength After Stroke
Weakness in the affected leg can make standing, walking, and everyday activities more difficult after a stroke. Focus on exercises that target the muscles you need for functional movement, and gradually increase the challenge as your strength and control improve.
This video walks through simple seated leg exercises you can practice at home to strengthen some of the muscles needed for standing and walking. Start with the movements you are able to perform, and focus on slow, controlled movement rather than trying to do more repetitions quickly.
Improving Balance After Stroke
Balance problems after a stroke can come from more than just leg weakness. Changes in strength, sensation, coordination, vision, and how your brain processes information about your body’s position can all affect how steady you feel. Balance exercises should begin at a level where you can practice safely and progress gradually as your control improves.
These standing exercises are designed for people who are beginning to work on balance and control in standing. Use a sturdy surface for support as needed, and focus on feeling steady and controlled before progressing to more challenging balance activities.
Progressing Your Balance
As your standing balance improves, you can begin adding activities that challenge you to shift your weight, reach in different directions, and respond to changes in your body position. Progress gradually and make sure you have a sturdy surface or someone nearby for support when needed.
This exercise uses a simple reaching activity to challenge weight shifting, coordination, and balance while standing. Adjust how far and where you reach based on your current ability, and always make sure you have a stable surface or someone nearby for support if needed.
Making Strength & Balance Part of Daily Life
Strength and balance improve not only through exercise, but also through using these skills during everyday activities. Standing at the sink, reaching for items, getting up from a chair, walking through your home, and helping with simple household tasks can all provide opportunities to practice. Look for safe ways to stay active throughout your day and use the movements you are working to improve. Everyday activities can also give you opportunities to practice shifting your weight, standing for longer periods, and using your affected leg more during movement. These small moments of practice can add up throughout the day and help reinforce the strength, balance, and movement patterns you are working to rebuild.
Continue Building Strength & Balance
Stroke leg exercises, along with regular practice during everyday activities, can help you continue building strength and balance over time. Start with activities that feel safe and manageable, and gradually increase the challenge as your strength, control, and confidence improve. Explore more of my leg strength and balance videos for exercises and strategies you can use throughout your recovery.