Best Exercise Equipment for Seniors

Many seniors are used to maintaining a healthy workout routine and wish to carry this on as they age. Choosing exercise equipment that’s efficient, enjoyable, and safe for seniors can be a tough task. Fortunately, there are some great options for senior-friendly exercise machines to burn calories, get the heart pumping, increase flexibility, and overall improve physical endurance! Here are a few great types of exercise equipment for seniors:

Elliptical
The elliptical allows seniors who are able to stand for long periods of time a chance to torch some calories, improve balance, and endurance. The elliptical is a hybrid between cross-country skiing and walking but without the additional impact. The included arm levers give seniors a security feature to hold on to while also adding an extra muscle burn. Adjustable resistance can increase heart rate and also build more muscle. It’s truly a great all-around senior-friendly machine!

Stability Ball
Core strength is crucial for standing, balancing, and posture. Simply sitting on a stability ball is a terrific activity to strengthen seniors’ core muscles! Several other exercises can be done safely with the ball, including stretches to improve flexibility. The stability ball can help increase seniors’ overall physical fitness in many ways.

Yoga Mat
A yoga mat is a wonderful piece of exercise equipment for seniors to have on hand because it allows them to perform a series of low-impact exercises either on their feet, knees, or lying on the ground. Yoga mats are often used for stretching exercises, such as pilates and yoga. These are great exercise options for seniors because they help to strengthen their core and improve their balance, thus helping them remain safer not only when they are exercising, but also when they are doing everyday activities.

Wrist Weights
If a senior would like to add a bit more weight to challenge themselves while they are walking, jogging, on the elliptical machine, etc., they can do so by using wrist weights. These weights can either be attached to their wrists or held in their hands if this is preferred. These weights are very light, such as 1-3 pounds, so they add enough weight to make things more challenging, but not too much so that it becomes stressful on their wrists.

Rowing Machine
When the body grows, it creates resistance by pulling away from the body while also strengthening the core. The great thing about rowing machines is that they are completely customizable to each person and put minimal strain on key joints. Seniors can safely stretch, work muscles, increase endurance, and get a great cardio workout by choosing the proper pressure, set amount, and repetition for personal capability.