The chair is part of the measurement
Suppose you complete ten stands from a firm dining chair one week and seven from a low, soft couch the next. That difference does not establish that your leg strength declined. The surface and movement range changed.
A soft cushion can also make the starting position less stable and effectively lower. Recording only the repetition count hides those conditions.
Exercise and a standardized test have different rules
Using the arms can be a reasonable way to make everyday standing or a practice activity manageable. But a standardized chair-stand assessment may have specific rules about arm use, chair height, and scoring. CDC's 30-second chair-stand protocol is a clinical assessment, not a challenge to improvise alone when balance is uncertain.
A useful personal comparison
For informal tracking, keep the chair, support, footwear, and movement approach similar. Notice whether standing feels more controlled or requires less assistance, not only whether it is faster.
If standing has recently become unexpectedly difficult, or causes pain or dizziness, a repetition goal is not the first question to settle. The change itself deserves attention. For training, a stable setup and an appropriate level of support can make practice more useful than forcing the lowest available seat.
