Best Exercise Equipment for Seniors in 2023

Our Favorite Exercise Equipment for Seniors

Elliptical Machines

An elliptical machine is great for older adults with joint pain or arthritis because it doesn’t put strain or pressure on the body. Supported by handlebars that move forward and backward, an elliptical machine can help you jog, climb, walk, and enjoy a low-impact workout from the comfort of your home. An elliptical machine is an alternative to treadmills and is designed to help boost stamina, support balance, and build muscles and core strength. What’s more, it can help burn calories and aid in weight loss.

An elliptical machine is great for exercising both your upper and lower body and working out your glutes, stretching your hamstrings, and tightening your muscles. Gentle on the joints, an elliptical machine has supportive handlebars that are connected to a foot pedal for better balance and control. The machine operates by moving in a forward and backward motion through a comfortable gliding movement that’s easy on the knees and joints since you’re not hitting the ground at every interval. For seniors, an elliptical machine is a safer choice because you’re able to hold onto the handlebar and stop as often as you need.

Our Favorite Elliptical for Seniors

Designed by physical therapists, The Sole E25 Elliptical is a state-of-the-art elliptical that is great for older adults with arthritis, hip pain, and joint pain. This elliptical has 20 incline levels to choose from, along with a heavy-duty frame that’s backed by a lifetime warranty.

What’s more, this elliptical is equipped with pulse monitors and a chest strap to monitor your heart rate and overall health metrics. You can easily stream music, thanks to Bluetooth technology and a USB port to charge your smart devices. The Sole E25 Elliptical is priced at $999.99 with a 30-day trial of Studio, which includes over 3,000 instructor-led fitness on-demand classes.

Treadmills

A treadmill is a type of exercise equipment that consists of a durable deck or belt that lets users run or jog in continuous motion. It usually has shorter handlebars and a security key that you can attach to your waist as a safety feature. A treadmill is great for an aerobic workout or even high-intensity interval training. Many smart treadmills have pulse and heart rate monitors, along with LCD screens and incline and speed settings.

Treadmills are used for exercising several parts of the body, ranging from glutes to quads to abs. They’re also particularly great for seniors who are looking to boost cardiovascular health and burn calories without stepping outside or going to a gym.

Our Favorite Treadmill for Seniors

The LifeSpan TR2000e Electric Folding Treadmill is a great choice for active older adults who are looking for a portable treadmill that saves space. One of the standout features of this treadmill is its easy-to-use console, which features a large LCD that features relevant information such as steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, and heart rate.

It also has special technology that keeps older adults safe. When you step off the treadmill deck, the belt will be paused within 20 seconds. For the health-conscious senior, this treadmill is equipped with a variety of heart rate programs, along with healthy living, sports training, and weight management preset programs to customize your workout. This treadmill is priced at $1,199, which can be broken up into monthly payments starting at $199.83 per month. You can purchase this treadmill directly through LifeSpan or Amazon.

To learn more about treadmills, be sure to check out our rundown of the best treadmills for seniors.

Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are essentially elastic bands that are great for strength training and cardio exercises. They are lightweight, adjustable, and great for creating resistance and building muscle and core strength. They can improve your balance and challenge your muscles.

You can use resistance bands as an exercise tool to work out your arms and quads. Additionally, you can perform squats while placing your resistance bands below your shins and use it as a way to work up a sweat. There are also anti-slip resistance bands for added security. They are a great physical therapy tool and can help strengthen dormant muscles without putting immense pressure on your joints.

Our Favorite Resistance Bands for Seniors

The resistance bands from the brand Healthy Seniors are a great option for seniors that spend a lot of time sitting on a chair. If you want to avoid a sedentary lifestyle, the Healthy Seniors Chair Exercise Program with Two Resistance bands is ideal for seniors who want to strengthen their muscles or support recovery.

These resistance bands are great for seniors who wish to do simple arm and leg stretch exercises right from their chair, but they can also be used as rehab bands for individuals in physical therapy. Along with a durable pair of thick handles, these resistance bands help build arm, leg, and core strength while being great for on-the-floor yoga exercises.

Stability Balls

A stability ball, also known as an exercise ball, is a great piece of exercise equipment that consists of a large ball that you use to support your body and enhance core strength. A stability ball can also be used as a replacement for a chair because it motivates your muscles to work harder and improve your balance. In general, a stability ball can be a helpful exercise tool for seniors because of its versatility, flexibility, and circular shape. It can help seniors improve their posture simply by sitting or rolling on it. It can also be used for leg lifts and gentle crunches.

Our Favorite Stability Ball for Seniors

The DYNAPRO Exercise Ball is made out of eco-friendly PVC, and it comes in a variety of fun colors. This stability ball stands out from others on the market because it is made from a thicker material that protects it from sharp objects. Since it has a non-slip matte surface, you can enjoy your workout and know that you can work on a variety of different exercises without falling or slipping.

Pull-Down Machines

A pull-down machine is a type of exercise equipment that uses a pulley system to work out your upper torso, arms, back, shoulders, and triceps. It’s a great fitness tool for active older adults who are looking for a more rigorous workout and would like to strengthen their muscles. They’re particularly beneficial for older seniors because they support back muscles and give you a comprehensive upper-body workout. Additionally, since these machines are used while seated, they’re relatively low-impact.

Our Favorite Pull-Down Machine for Seniors

The BuyHive LAT Pull Down Machine is an affordable at-home pull-down machine for older adults. It weighs 220 pounds and comes with a variety of adjustable foam rollers that match your height. This particular pull-down machine helps work out the upper muscles of the body and helps build resistance to prevent your body from being lifted by the pulley station.

Yoga Mats

Yoga mats are a great way to stay grounded and focus on floor workouts without putting too much pressure on your joints. There are a variety of exercises you can do on a slip-free yoga mat. Some of these exercises include crunches, squats, tree poses, backward bends, planks, and other ab and lower-body workouts.

Our Favorite Yoga Mat for Seniors

The Brybelly Crown Sporting Goods 15 mm Extra Thick Yoga Mat offers durability and protection during your floor workouts and yoga sessions. At 15 mm, this yoga mat is much thicker and softer than traditional yoga mats, which are usually around 4 to 6 mm thick. With a moisture-resistant surface, you can enjoy deep stretches and get the right support for your joints with its non-slip and thick foam material.

Wrist Weights

Wrist weights are small weights that are strapped around your wrist (or ankles) and typically weigh less than three pounds. They are especially helpful for seniors with difficulty gripping weights, and they are a great alternative to dumbbells. The goal of wrist weights is to enhance resistance and elevate your heart rate through simple aerobic exercises.

Our Favorite Wrist Weights for Seniors

Bala Bangles are a great lightweight option for older adults who want to add resistance to their existing workouts. Weighing one pound, these wrist weights can be used as either ankle or wrist weights. They come in a variety of colors so you won’t misplace them.

Recumbent Bikes

Recumbent bikes are helpful exercise tools that provide reclining support as opposed to an upright riding position. A recumbent bike might be a good option for older adults who enjoy watching TV shows on their tablet while simultaneously getting in a good workout. With a recumbent bike, you have the flexibility to do other tasks while riding in one spot.

A recumbent bike is mainly used to work out your lower body, such as glutes, hamstrings, calves, and quads. Instead of a regular bike, a recumbent bike puts less strain on your body. You can also control settings and resistance levels, unlike traditional biking, which can be tiring and put strain on the body. A recumbent bike might be a good idea if you tend to lose steam on regular bike rides. You can build your stamina with recumbent bikes and adjust settings to your liking.

Our Favorite Recumbent Bike for Seniors

The Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike is a great exercise bike for older adults who might not feel comfortable going to a gym. This recumbent bike features a comfortable lumbar support backrest and a contoured seat that’s perfect for longer workouts. What’s more, this particular bike features two large LCD screens instead of the typical one screen. With 29 programs to choose from, you can customize your workouts and monitor your heart rate using the LCD screen.

To learn more about recumbent bikes, read our guide to the best recumbent bikes for seniors.

Rowing Machines

Rowing machines are a great at-home exercise tool to have if you’re looking to strengthen your body and have more energy throughout the day. A rowing machine is used to work out both the lower and upper body along with core muscles. It’s a great tool for active seniors because it can help burn a lot of calories, increase heart rate, and build muscle and stamina.

The best way to use a rowing machine is to take a seat on the adjustable seat and put your feet on the footrests. Once you’re strapped in, you can pull the handlebar toward your chest and feel the resistance. Overall, a rowing machine can help exercise your abs, obliques, shoulders, arms, and upper and lower body. Plus, you can always adjust the resistance to match a low-impact workout that works for you.

Our Favorite Rowing Machines for Seniors

The Concept2 RowErg is our favorite rowing machine because it’s suitable for a variety of fitness levels and is a great at-home rowing device. This rowing machine is great for improving heart health and working out nearly every muscle group in the body. Some of the additional features of this rowing machine include a device holder, a PM5 monitor to track health metrics, and the option of either standard or tall legs with different seat heights to match different types.

Foam Rollers

A foam roller is a large cylindrical foam tube that you can use to increase flexibility and reduce soreness or tightness in the body. It’s an effective exercise tool for older adults with back and shoulder problems or muscle aches. If you’re in recovery or are looking to loosen the stiffness in your joints and back, foam rollers can be a helpful tool. You can also use them as a warm-up tool before your workouts or yoga sessions.

Our Favorite Foam Rollers for Seniors

The Gaiam Deep Tissue Foam Roller provides a comfortable and deep stretch while alleviating pressure points and tension in the body. Its firm design and durable hollow center make it a comfortable choice for older adults with back, shoulder, or neck pain. What’s more, it comes with a helpful exercise guide containing exercises to perform using the roller.

Free Weights

Free weights are useful for building strength, doing aerobic exercises, and enhancing muscle mass. They are considered “free” because they aren’t attached to anything. You can lift them up and find the right weight for your exercise routine. There are a variety of different types of free weights. These include dumbbells and kettlebells. With free weights, you can do bicep curls, resistance exercises, squats, and other arm exercises.

Our Favorite Free Weights for Seniors

The Gruper Adjustable Handbells are our favorite free weights because they are durable and feature an ergonomic design that’s easy for seniors to use. For older adults, these particular free weights provide high-quality material for an easier grip. These free weights are 10 inches in length and have anti-slip handles for safer workouts. They are a step up from traditional dumbbells because they have a top cap that you can unscrew to insert different counterweight blocks.