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Best Exercise Equipment For Seniors

Best Exercise Equipment For Seniors explores what to consider when looking at exercise equipment, the different types of exercise, and different types of home exercise equipment that can be incorporated into your life so you can begin reaping the benefits of exercise.

If you are over a certain age, you should also ask and discover the best exercise equipment for seniors. Maybe you’re a beginner exerciser considering getting into a new routine, or you’ve been an avid exerciser for years but looking for a change in your routine. Perhaps you’ve suffered an injury or, over the years, acquired bad knees, and now you’re not able to do what you once enjoyed.  If any of these or other life scenarios have happened, you may be contemplating getting some new exercise equipment.

Before running out or shopping online for new exercise equipment, you first need to get cleared for exercise from your doctor. By having an appointment with your doctor, you can find what he does and does not want you to do. Do you have knee issues, or maybe your balance is lacking, or you may have other health issues. Discuss, discuss, discuss with your doctor before embarking on any new exercise routine and find out what you are cleared for and what you are not.

What To Consider Before Purchasing

Available Space

With home gyms you want to consider the space you have available for exercise equipment. If you have a small space, you probably don’t want to get a full-size weight machine. However, you can look for something with smaller dimensions or other equipment to give you similar benefits, such as barbells and dumbbells.

Also there are options available that make some exercise equipment portable. For instance, a recumbent bike with transport wheels makes it feasible to move it from room to room.

Another option found that is a good feature when dealing with small spaces is equipment you can fold, some treadmills have this option. Folding it allows for it to take up less space when not in use.

Make It Easier on Yourself – Do What You Like

When I look for new home workout equipment, I look for something I think I would enjoy and stick with. If I don’t like yoga, I don’t want to buy yoga equipment. If I loathe riding a bike well, then I’m not going to try to talk myself into liking it.

Exercise can be challenging, so why make it more so by doing something you don’t like. There are so many options; maybe you like walking or biking, running, or lifting weights, then that would be a good place for you to start.

As you get more acclimated to exercise, you might want to try something you thought you wouldn’t like, but start with something you think you will enjoy – there are so many options.

Types of Exercise To Consider

When you’re putting together your equipment and exercise routine, you want to include:

  • Cardio – works your heart.
  • Weight-bearing is aerobic activity while standing up using your feet and with your bones supporting your weight. Some examples of how you can achieve this are walking, using elliptical machines, and steppers, among other activities.
  • Weight-training helps build muscle while making you stronger.

Cardio and weight training make a great combination when it comes to weight loss. While weight training will help you from losing muscle, cardio will burn extra calories. A heart rate monitor can help assure you that you are exercising at the right intensity.

You also want to work your total body. You don’t want to only work your legs and then have no upper body definition or strength. The opposite is also true; you don’t want to work just your arms, back, and abs and have an undefined, weak lower body. Look for a routine that will give your body a complete workout.

Best Exercise Equipment for Seniors - Chart

Best Cardio Exercise Equipment for Seniors

Treadmills

Best Exercise Equipment For Seniors - Treadmill

Do you enjoy walking? If so, you might want to look into getting a treadmill. When the weather isn’t good outside, whether it’s too hot or too cold, the treadmill allows you to get your exercise in no matter what the weather.

If there is more than one person in the household, each can work out to their ability. No one is slowing down or speeding up to synchronize with their partner.

What will a treadmill workout give you? You get a low-impact weight-bearing workout while walking that will help with bone density. As you experience an increase in heart rate, you get a cardio workout. Your legs and glutes get worked and gain strength.

As you progress, you can increase the speed and the incline to get a more intense workout. If you do decide to jog or run, the exercise changes from low impact to high impact.

Though a treadmill be can be pricy, it can last for years, and as you get more proficient, the treadmill allows you to progress without having to buy a different model.


Ellipticals

Best Exercise Equipment for Seniors - Ellipitical

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If you are experiencing hip or knee pain, the elliptical might be a good choice for you.

Exercising on an elliptical is a non-impact activity as your feet stay planted on the pads.

Besides a cardio workout from a rise in heart rate, your legs and glutes get a workout.

Many ellipticals come with moving arm levers that contribute to working your arms, chest, abs, and back, giving you an all-body workout.

Like the treadmill, you can increase the speed and incline for a more intense workout.


Stepping Machines

Best Exercise Equipment for Seniors - Stepper

With a stepper, your movement mimics going upstairs, but your feet stay planted.

With a stepping machine, you will be able to achieve a moderate to high-intensity cardio workout.

The stepping machine mainly works your legs and glutes. Since your arms aren’t moving, be sure to get some arm work in as well.


Rower or Rowing Machines

Best Exercise Equipment for Seniors - Rower

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Rowing machines give an excellent full-body workout.

With the rowing motion, the arms, back, core, glutes, and leg muscles are used.

In addition to these muscles, it’s also a great cardio workout and is low impact.

The rower usually has a resistance lever to make it harder or easier to row.

Unlike other motorized cardio machines, rowing machines use your legs to speed up or slow down the workout. 


Exercise Bikes

Best Exercise Equipment for Seniors - Exercise Bikes

Choices to consider when looking for a bike are: do you want to ride outdoors or inside.

When the weather is beautiful, biking outside is a nice workout, and you’re getting fresh air.

An inside bike, or stationary bike, is a good alternative that you can use no matter what the weather, and you might feel safer if you live in a busy city.

A bike workout will work your glutes and legs and can give you a cardio workout.


Best Weights for Strength Training for Seniors

Though cardio is a crucial component of a workout routine, don’t forget to incorporate weights. As stated above, weights help in the prevention of muscle loss. Let’s take a look at some weight equipment.

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Weight Machines

Best Exercise Equipment For Seniors - Weight Machines

For this article, I’m using the words weight machine as a generic term that refers to a single or multi-station machine that you use for a strength training/weight workout.  ir?t=livingyourseniorlife 20&language=en US&l=li3&o=1&a=B000GRDS6Uir?t=livingyourseniorlife 20&language=en US&l=li3&o=1&a=B000GRDS6U

A few advantages to a weight machine over free weights (dumbbells and barbells) include:

  1. Promoting a good range of motion that will help keep you in proper form.
  2. Safety and being able to use the machine without a spotter. However, like free weights, you want to be sure to concentrate on your form to be sure you’re doing the exercises correctly.
  3. Another advantage is you can switch weight rather quickly by inserting the pin in a different hole instead of putting on or taking off weights as you do with a barbell.
  4. You can achieve a full-body strength workout with a weight machine.

Dumbbells

Best Exercise Equipment for Seniors - Dumbbells

Working out with dumbbells allows you to stabilize muscles. For instance, if you’re using dumbbells to perform a bicep curl, you should engage your core to stabilize yourself; a machine isn’t doing it for you.

  • Your core consists of the muscles that make up your midsection (without getting too clinical; your abs, obliques, or sides and back). 

Dumbbells allow for a greater range of motion than a weight machine.

You can pinpoint imbalances in your body and work on those (maybe you can do a heavier weight on your right side than on your left side).

To decrease the risk of injury, you do need to be careful that your form is correct.

If using dumbbells for your strength training, you will need to buy multiple pairs. You usually need lighter weights for shoulder work and other small muscles while heavier weights for the chest, legs, and larger muscles. You will also need to have heavier weights as you progress and get stronger.


Barbells

Best Exercise Equipment For Seniors - Barbell

I included the barbell in this article because so many people, mostly men but becoming more popular among women, are fans of barbell training. Barbells with weight plates have been around for weight lifting for well over a hundred years.

Though they have been around for a long time, they are often misused with poor form, leading to injuries. Also, the barbell can put stress on the body as the weight plates are increased. However, I have and still use barbells. Though, they probably wouldn’t be my first choice for beginners because of the risk of injury.

Barbells are used mainly for the purpose of weight training though you can get a cardio workout as well.

Just about every muscle in the body can be worked with a barbell.

My Barbell Story

Though there are some exercises you can do safely with a barbell, you’ll want to be sure you have a spotter for other exercises. I have a story that could have turned out much worse than it did.

Many years ago, I was working out at the gym by myself. I was doing a bench press (where you’re on a bench with a barbell and moving it to where your arms are fully extended and then down to your chest and back up etc.).

After doing many sets, I was done and was setting the barbell behind me on the rack. And then it happened; I missed, and the barbell came down on my neck. Completely fatigued, I didn’t have much strength and could only manage to move it up onto my face.

Finally, a man noticed what I had done, came over, and lifted the barbell off me. I ended up with a bruised face and ego, but luckily for me, it didn’t turn out worse.

Some people have died from a barbell coming down on them, so I plead with you to NEVER, EVER use a barbell for this and other exercises without a spotter.

To this day, I’m gun shy when doing a bench press, and I always have a spotter. It’s so important to have someone there with you, so if you run into trouble as I did, there will be someone there to help.


Kettlebells

Best Exercise Equipment for Seniors - Kettlebells

Kettlebells I see more as an add-on to your other weight workouts. They are suitable for cardio and strength training, but I find I don’t get a complete workout with them – I use them to mix things up and add variety.

There is a learning curve with kettlebells, so I suggest if you’re new to weight training and are deciding between dumbbells and kettlebells, I would start with dumbbells first.


Miscellaneous Fitness Equipment for Seniors

Resistance Bands

Best Exercise Equipment For Seniors - Resistance Bands

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Resistance bands can be used both if you’re a beginner or a more advanced exerciser.

I use them much the same way as the kettlebell, more of an add-on to other workouts to add variety.

Bands come in different tensions, usually noted by the difference in thickness and or color.

Resistance bands are pretty price-friendly and are good to take on the road with you as they don’t take up much space. They can also be used while sitting in a chair if you don’t have the balance or ability to stand while using them.


Sport Hoops

Best Exercise Equipment For Seniors - Sport Hoops

Do you remember the hula hoop from days gone by? Well, it has made a comeback and is being used as a workout tool. There are even weighted hula hoops or sport hoops.

Recently they had hula hoops at my work at a luau activity, and I have to say I bombed – it seemed effortless as a kid. It was fun, though, and I’ve been thinking of buying one –  I can see it being fun but not sure I’ll get a great workout from it, but I’ll keep you posted.


Additional Reading


At The End Of The Day

With all the different types of home workout equipment, you can surely find one you will find enjoyable.

Remember, as we get older, we lose muscle mass, and exercise helps slow down the process.

Exercise also plays an important benefit for heart health and weight – although nutrition plays a big part.

Remember, always have a spotter when using a barbell or any other equipment you need someone else to help you safely perform any exercise. Also, be sure to use proper technique.

At the end of the day, what is the best exercise equipment for seniors? It’s what you can use to exercise effectively and safely, and just as important, something that you will actually use.

In reading Best Exercise Equipment for Seniors – Are You Pumped? my hope is that you came away with a better understanding of what might be the best exercise equipment for you.

Do you have a favorite piece of exercise equipment that helps you stay active? I would love to hear. Comment below.

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4 Comments

  1. So many interesting facts within this one article! I have always wanted to exercise inside but never took into consideration buying the equipment you used in this article. thank you for sharing and taking the time to write this strong article!

    1. Hi James,

      Thank you for visiting and for your comment. Though I like going outside to exercise sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate and it’s nice just staying in. Thank you again.

    1. @Nivana Tech,

      Thank you for taking the time to read the post and your kind words. Yes, so many times weight equipment is forgotten in our workout routines. Thank you again.

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