A movement specialist with 35 years of experience is advocating for a different approach to fitness for those over 40. Instead of muscle-heavy squats, they recommend a Tai Chi-based “bounce” that utilizes the body’s natural elasticity.
This exercise, which the coach calls the “Qi Machine,” is designed to be low-fatigue and highly beneficial for circulation and joint mobility. It’s a movement they have personally relied on for decades.
The technique starts with feet shoulder-width apart. The goal is to find a “double bounce” by dropping the weight through the knees. The emphasis is on the “drop,” allowing the connective tissues—fascia, ligaments, and tendons—to catch the weight.
These tissues then act like springs, creating an “action potential” that propels the body upward. This is fundamentally different from a squat, which uses muscle power to press up and quickly becomes tiring.
When this effortless bounce is timed correctly, it becomes a full-body exercise. The arms swing, the spine undulates in a wave, and the entire body moves harmoniously. This circulates blood efficiently with little metabolic waste.
This switch in focus from muscle to elasticity is particularly important for aging joints. It provides a way to build resilience and mobility without the compressive forces of traditional strength training, making it ideal for long-term health.