What is the Best Exercise Equipment for the Elderly?

Leading a healthy lifestyle from a young age is key for reaping the abundance of rewards of remaining able, mobile and in good health when the twilight years come creeping up. Not everyone looks after their older self when they’re younger, though. The good news is, it’s never too late to get on the path to a healthy lifestyle. 

We’ve put together a list of the best home exercise equipment for the elderly, all of which will keep senior citizens moving and active in a safe and beneficial way, no matter their age. We’ve included a range of equipment to suit elderly people of all physical capabilities. We realise many seniors might have joint problems, hip problems, arthritis, diabetes and osteoporosis to name a few. 

With this in mind, our list of the best home exercises for elderly people includes something for everyone, ensuring that every senior has the opportunity to stay fit and get moving to some degree. 

Leg Exercise Equipment for Elderly Citizens

Leg day isn’t just for young gym bunnies; there are plenty of ways elderly people can undertake leg exercises safely at home. 

Exercise Bike

Compact and easy to store away, exercise bikes are excellent for home workouts because they don’t take up much space and therefore can be neatly placed in almost any corner of the home. 

Exercise bikes are fantastic pieces of equipment that offer a wide range of benefits, especially when it comes to strengthening the hips and legs which can often deteriorate in old age. Whilst the lower body receives a full workout, cycling is a low-impact exercise which means it’s particularly useful for those who suffer from joint pain. 

In addition to working the lower body, using an exercise bike can also improve your health elsewhere, including your heart. Cycling is an aerobic exercise which means the heart rate goes up and blood flow increases around the body. This strengthens the heart and can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. It can also reduce stress levels which is a major plus regardless of age. 

Although cycling is generally good for the heart, if you suffer from a heart condition, it’s imperative that you get the go-ahead from your doctor before you impart on a cycling workout. 

If you struggle to get on and off an exercise bike, you can instead try an elliptical machine. They can be placed under a table or at the foot of a chair due to their extremely compact size, but they offer just as many benefits as a full-scale exercise bike. 

Step Box

For those who are agile enough to manage steps, a step box is a great piece of equipment to purchase. This simple item comes with an extensive range of attractive benefits, including improving balance and coordination. Many elderly people suffer from poor balance which makes them prone to falling and injuring themselves, so any exercise that can reduce that risk is a welcome one. 

Step boxes are also good for improving your heart health, as well as potentially aiding weight loss. If you struggle with joint problems and osteoporosis, a step box is a great piece of equipment for strengthening bones and muscles in your lower body in a way that is low impact. 

You can purchase step boxes of varying heights depending on your physical capabilities. 

Arm Exercise Equipment for Elderly People 

Maintaining upper body strength is essential for being able to do everyday tasks like lifting a kettle and emptying a bin. There are lots of pieces of upper body equipment available, but we’ve selected the most home-friendly bits for seniors. 

Dumbbells 

The most basic piece of home gym equipment for anyone is a set of dumbbells. They’re extremely versatile and come in varying weights, making them suitable for people of all physical capabilities. You can use them alone to target one specific muscle group, or you can use them as part of a broader exercise regime such as when doing lunges. You can use dumbbells in coordination with other pieces of equipment, too, such as an elliptical or a step box. 

Dumbbells can be used to increase cardiovascular fitness overall and they take up next to no space, making them a good investment for seniors hoping to improve the coordination of their upper body at home. 

Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are a simple piece of equipment that can be easily stored away in a cupboard or in a spare room. They’re easy to use, making them a good choice for senior citizens looking to get fit. They can be used on the legs, but they’re highly effective at working and toning the arms. 

There are a number of ways you can use resistance bands, including standing on the bottom of the band and pulling the top up with your arms. If you can’t quite manage standing up, you can do this exercise sitting down, too. How far you go will depend on how much you can physically manage, but resistance bands are highly versatile and can be adapted to everyone. 

Resistance bands are not only good for training and building muscle – they’re low impact and kind on the joints, making them particularly good for those in their twilight years. 

Sourcing Gym Equipment for the Elderly

Here at UK Gym Equipment, we offer a wide selection of equipment spanning all aspects of working out, including cardio machines like exercise bikes and treadmills to all over body equipment like rowing machines. 

Whatever your capabilities are, we have a piece of equipment that can help you get active, no matter your age. If you need help finding a piece of home gym equipment suitable for the elderly, please call our team on 01733 204430. 

We offer finance plans to help spread out the cost. To find out more about our finance options and our equipment, or to talk through suitable workouts for seniors, please contact us and we’ll be more than happy to help.