No matter how old or young you are, physical fitness is something you should take very seriously. The CDC lists many benefits of staying physically active, including better sleep, brain health, reduced risk of obesity, cardiovascular health, and improved bone strength. Nevertheless, several physical activities that, if done regularly, can cause problems or complications, especially for those with a few more years behind them.
Our doctors will remind us of the benefits of working out as we age. But they may not always be the best sources of information regarding the specific activities we need to do to achieve that improved health. Therefore, personal trainers spend long hours developing fitness routines suited for older adults who need to become more active to improve their health. Unfortunately, not everyone has the time or resources to hire a personal trainer, so sometimes alternatives need to be found. We’ve selected the best home workout equipment for older adults to make things easier.
What Makes Workout Equipment Suited to Older Adults?
Many instinctively grasp that there are differences between the workout equipment and routines suited for someone in their 20s vs. someone in their 70s. Nevertheless, it may be difficult to articulate what, exactly, those differences are. When considering exercises for older adults, you must keep the following aspects in mind.
- Duration – Generally, older adults are not looking for increased maximum power but long-term durability and flexibility. To that end, exercises and activities that can be stretched out over extended periods are better suited to provide the cardiovascular benefits that best suit them.
- Intensity – While exercise duration increases, intensity should tend to decrease with age. Whether in terms of cardiovascular workouts or weight lifting, aim to reduce the direct strain at any given repetition in favor of increasing the number and consistency of actions. You will also want to incorporate more stretching between activities, which gives your muscles a chance to recover and release tension before moving on.
- Joints – While walking is considered one of the best exercises for humans of all ages, some repetitive actions can cause joint problems. Repeated start-stop motions can strain the ligaments and cartilage that attach bones and muscles, meaning that the steps should be smoother and more cyclical. Selecting this kind of activity avoids the high-impact stress on knees and hips that can aggravate aches and pains or even cause damage to body parts that become more sensitive with age.
Home Workout Equipment Options
Bearing those factors in mind, there are several kinds of home workout machines that are well-suited to the needs of older adults.
- Stationary Bicycles – These devices are ideal for getting a cardiovascular-centered workout without straining your joints with high-impact running. This lack of hitting the ground means no repeated jolts can aggravate your hips, and the circular motion rather than back-and-forth alterations limit the repetitive stresses on your knees. Good stationary bicycles such as the ProForm Carbon CX let you control resistance and exercise position to find what is most comfortable and healthful for you.
- Treadmills – While stationary bicycles are generally better for your joints, some people must make accommodations to reduce their range of motion. In these cases, traditional treadmills or ellipticals can be particularly well-suited. Elliptical machines let you combine the benefits of a low-impact cardiovascular workout with a more limited range of motion, which can be ideal if you’re experiencing certain joint conditions. Machines such as the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 also give you direct feedback regarding your progress and how much benefit you’re getting from each workout session.
- Resistance Weights – As we age, the need for objective weights such as barbells decreases; instead, resistance-based weights take their place. Taking this approach to fitness puts less strain on the individual muscles and significantly reduces the risk of injury. Nevertheless, they still provide the challenge that your muscles need to maintain tone and integrity. Adaptive resistance technology takes this one step further by tailoring itself to you as you use it, letting you get a full workout without overburdening your muscles. High-end machines by ARX give you the best-of-the-best for home workouts, while Bowflex has a long-standing reputation for being accessible and reliable.
Aside from these machines, your home workout space should have an open area to stretch. A yoga mat is a great addition, as the padded foam reduces strain on your feet as you stretch before and after your workout.
We encourage you to consult a nutritionist and personal trainer to optimize your workouts. However, simply by including these machines, you can begin to see the benefits that a more active lifestyle can give you.
By Christopher Gallagher
Christopher has worked with personal trainers and fitness enthusiasts to review the best exercises and equipment at all stages of life. His experience has helped him understand the unique accommodations and considerations that must be taken for fitness at any age.