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Squats are one of the most functional exercises, and doing them regularly as you age helps you preserve strength, muscle and power for activities like climbing stairs or going to the bathroom unaided; in short, strong legs keep you independent.

But not everyone can do squats, whether that's due to mobility, injury, health conditions, or preference. So, I turned to physical therapist Leighton Roberts, managing director at Grosvenor Mobility, for some advice.

“Here are five simple exercises I'd recommend trying, provided they're suitable for your individual health and mobility needs," says Roberts. Read on for the moves and how to do them.

5 lower-body exercises from a physical therapist to build leg strength and power

"Maintaining joint strength is essential for staying active, mobile and independent," Roberts tells us. "For those experiencing joint stiffness or reduced mobility, gentle bed exercises are a great starting point.…