Exercise Equipment for Seniors – A Complete Guide

Age brings with it a great deal of wisdom and a lifetime of rich experiences. But, along with age come many unwanted physical complications like visual impairment, arthritis, osteoporosis, and other mobility issues. A recent study showed that approximately 10% of deaths among adults between the age of 40 to 69, and 7.8% of deaths among adults aged 70 and older attribute to know what can inactivity do to a senior’s body and mind. In addition, according to Harvard health publishing, age-related hormonal changes in men can also result in loss of muscle mass and bone density after the age of 40. 

However, staying mobile as you age helps stave off issues like joint pain and rigidity. It also keeps your bones and muscles strong. A report published by the WHO stated a 42% decrease in the risk of falling among seniors who exercised regularly. 

Seniors can engage in various exercises from the comfort of their own homes to ensure that their muscles and joints remain healthy as they age. But, choosing the right kind of exercise equipment for seniors is not an easy task. A lot of thought and research must go into selecting something effective yet safe. This article presents a comprehensive guide to choosing the best exercise equipment for seniors based on their specific needs.   

Content Table

TYPES OF EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

TOP 15 EXERCISE EQUIPMENT FOR SENIORS

Under Desk Pedal Exerciser

Tall Grab Bar

Recumbent Bike

Walking Treadmill

Indoor Rowing Machine

Free Weights

Dumbbell Sets

Resistance Bands

Stability Balls

Sitting Stepper

Elliptical Cross Trainer

Foam Roller

Hand Gripper

Yoga Mat

Hula Hoop

Final Thoughts

FAQs

 

Types of Exercise Equipment

When it comes to the different types of exercise equipment for seniors, the list is simple. You can choose;

• Exercise balls: Perfect for balance and stability training, exercise balls are great for indoor workouts.
• Dumbbells: Always a classic, dumbbells help tone and strengthen muscles.
• Treadmills: Home treadmills are great for a quick walk or run from the comfort of your own home. With varying speeds, you can adjust treadmills according to your level of fitness.  
• Exercise bands: Also known as resistance bands, these help in endurance training and can be found at various resistance levels. 
• Elliptical machines: Great for cross-training and low-impact cardio at home.
• Upright bikes: Also known as recumbent bikes or stationary bikes, they are a great way to up your daily cardio at a pace that suits you best.
• Hula hoops: For hip mobility and agility.
• Yoga mats: Yoga mats are a standard workout basic. These are a must-have in every workout routine. 

Top 15 Exercise Equipment for Seniors

To make the search a little less stressful, we have put together a list of the top 15 home exercise equipment for seniors. Let’s take a look at them.

1. Under Desk Pedal Exerciser 

• Product: Hausse Portable Exercise Pedal Bike
• Price: $43.99
• Description: This mini bike peddler fits easily under your desk. It is lightweight and battery-powered, making it convenient and portable. You can use it for arm and leg workouts, physical therapy, or low-impact cardio at home or in your office. It features an easy-to-read digital LCD and has a large range of resistance. 
• Key Features:

1. Compact and portable
2. Easy to set up
3. Digital LCD-display
4. Larger range of resistance 
5. Available on: Step2health

 

2. Tall Grab Bar

• Product: Tall Grab Bar
• Price: $29.99 
• Description: A tall grab bar supports movement and balance to reduce the risk of falls during workouts. It comes padded with foam for stability and grip. 
• Key Features: 

1. Made of durable steel
2. Soft foam padding for stability and grip
3. Easy to assemble

• Available on: Step2Health

3. Recumbent Bike

• Product: Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike
• Price: $151.08
• Description: Made of heavy-duty construction steel, this is a low-impact exercise bike for home. Using a magnetic resistance mechanism, this stationary bike has eight levels of resistance. The bike features an LCD screen showing time, speed, distance and calories burnt. The display font is extra-large for easy reading. This recumbent bike is a great tool for improving cardiovascular endurance. 
• Key Features:

1. Compact design
2. 8 resistance levels
3. Comfortable padded seat
4. Counterbalance pedals
5. Extra-large digital display

• Available on: Amazon

4. Walking Treadmill

• Product: XTERRA Fitness Treadmil
• Price: $349.99  
• Description: Walking treadmills are one of the most commonly used exercise equipment for seniors. With a 16x50-inch walking surface, this treadmill sports a large 5-inch LCD-display panel showing speed, incline, time, distance, calories, and pulse. With a speed range of 0. 5 -10 MPH, this treadmill is great for people of all ages and fitness levels. This treadmill includes 12 pre-set programs and 3 manual incline settings.
• Key Features:

1. 5-inch LCD-display
2. 12 pre-set programs
3. 3 manual incline settings

• Available on: Amazon

 

5. Indoor Rowing Machine

 

• Product: Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine
• Price: $160.86 
• Description: One of the best home exercise equipment for seniors, this rowing machine is great for endurance training and low-impact cardio. With a large LCD console displaying time, total count, calories burned, and count per minute, this indoor rowing machine features an elastic cord with dual directional resistance allowing for four levels of adjustable tension.
• Key Features:

1. Anti-slip foot pedals
2. 4 levels of adjustable tension on the cord
3. Large angles seat with non-slip handles
4. LCD-display – large font 

• Available on: Amazon

 

6. Free Weights

 

• Product: Neoprene Dumbbell Hand Weights
• Price: $8.77
• Description: A pair of 1LB hexagon shape dumbbells are great for home workouts. These dumbbells come with a neoprene coating for easy grip. The hexagon shape prevents the dumbbells from rolling away when put down. The weight printed on each dumbbell enables easy identification. They are also available in 15 different weights.
• Key Features:

1. Anti-slip 
2. Anti-roll
3. Printed weight
4. Neoprene coating

• Available on: Step2health

 

7. Dumbbell Sets

 

• Product: Amazon Basics Neoprene Coated Dumbbell Hand Weight Set
• Price: $34.12
• Description: This is a complete set of neoprene-coated dumbbells to help you progress as you continue exercising and improving muscle strength. It contains 2, 3, and 5LB color-coded pairs, with weights printed for easy identification. Each dumbbell has a neoprene coating for easy grip with a shape like a hexagon to prevent rolling. 
• Key Features:

1. Anti-slip 
2. Anti-roll
3. Printed weight on each piece

• Available on: Step2health

 

8. Resistance Bands

 

• Product: Fit Simplify Resistance Bands
• Price: $11.95
• Description: These extra light, rubber, high-end exercise bands come with five resistance levels to enhance muscular strength and improve endurance building. Incorporating these bands into a daily workout routine can greatly improve balance, flexibility, muscle strength, coordination, and range of motion.
• Key Features:

1. 5 resistance levels
2. Perfect for beginners as well as experts
3. Suitable for all workouts
4. Multiple uses
5. Superior quality 

• Available on: Step2health

 

9. Stability Balls

 

• Product: Trideer Extra Thick Yoga Ball
• Price: $23.99 
• Description: Made with a honeycomb structure, these extra thick exercise balls are anti-burst and deflate very slowly. With a non-slip surface and a 65 cm diameter, these stability balls are perfect for senior balance training. 
• Key Features:

1. Anti-burst and slow deflation
2. Non-slip surface
3. Extra thick, top quality
4. Easy to inflate and deflate
5. Non-toxic PVC

• Available on: Step2health

10. Sitting Stepper

 

• Product: North American Health & Wellness Sitting Stepper
• Price: $14.99 
• Description: This sitting stepper is portable and collapsible. You can use it to exercise your calves and feet whenever you sit.
• Key Features:

1. Portable and collapsible
2. Compact 
3. Fits in a backpack 

• Available on: www.amazon.com 

 

11. Elliptical Cross Trainer

 

• Product: Sunny Health & Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer
• Price: $169.09 
• Description: This cross trainer comes with eight levels of magnetic resistance. It features a large LCD that shows time, speed, distance, pulse, and calories burnt. Its anti-slip handles and foot pads make it safe and easy to use. This elliptical comes with an inbuilt stabilizer that ensures smooth and even movements. 
• Key Features:

1. 8 levels of resistance
2. Digital monitor with pulse
3. Anti-slip handles and foot pads
4. Stabilizer for smooth and even movements

• Available on: Amazon

 

12. Foam Roller

 

• Product: 321 Strong Foam Roller 
• Price: $26.99 
• Description: This foam roller is a medium-density deep tissue massager that is great for relieving tense muscles. Lightweight and portable, this massager fits easily in a bag. This massager has an EVA tread featuring triple grid 3D massage zones that mimic the hands of a massage therapist. 
• Key Features:

1. Medium-density
2. Easy to use
3. Good treatment for muscle pain
4. Perfect for stretches 

• Available on: Amazon 

 

13. Hand Gripper

 

• Product: GD Hand Grip Exerciser
• Price: $24.90 
• Description: Made of ultra-compressed steel springs, this hand gripper is a perfect piece of exercise equipment for seniors. It strengthens wrists and forearms at varying levels of resistance. Made from engineering plastic and stainless steel, this hand gripper is compact and portable.
• Key Features:

1. Adjustable resistance
2. Noiseless
3. Suitable for all ages

• Available on: Step2health

 

14. Yoga Mat

 

• Product: IUGA Non-slip Yoga Mat
• Price: $25.95 
• Description: This yoga mat is made from eco-friendly & SGS Certified Material. Its textured surface makes it non-slip and safe to use. The IUGA yoga mat comes with a carrying strap and is available in 6 colors.
• Key Features:

1. Textured, non-slip surface
2. 6mm thickness
3. Lightweight
4. Eco-friendly 

• Available on: Step2health

 

 15. Hula Hoop

 

• Product: FlexioFit Weighted Hula Hoop
• Price: $17.99 
• Description: This 2lb weighted hula hoop is easy to assemble and comes with 8 sections. It has a smooth, non-slip finish with no hidden waves or bumps.
• Key Features:

1. Weighted
2. Soft grip
3. Easy to dismantle  

• Available on: Amazon 

These are some great pieces of equipment that seniors can use to engage in regular fitness activities. However, we recommend you consult your doctor or physician before starting a new exercise routine. If you cannot use any equipment for exercise due to medical or health constraints, you can try simple balance exercises for seniors. Walking and swimming are also effective and safe options for seniors. Additionally, chair yoga is a great option. It is safe, has long-lasting results, and all you need is a comfortable chair. 

Final Thoughts

Aging in place is a choice. However, keeping up a healthy routine can get difficult over time. You may require a caregiver’s assistance, opt for some smart assistive home devices, or exercise regularly to help you get through the day. 

Some of the benefits of exercising include:

• reducing the risk of chronic diseases
• strengthening bones and muscles
• prolonging agility
• preventing falls 
• reducing the risk of depression
• controlling weight
• increasing life expectancy

With a world of fitness equipment at your disposal, you can live a healthy life with the right support and guidance. Choose the right exercise equipment for seniors at home and get a head start on your fitness routine.

Here is the next step for you - 6 Amazing Exercises to Improve Balance in Seniors.