The Best Home Exercise Equipment for Seniors 

Regular exercise is essential for people of all ages. The United States Department of Health and Human Services encourages seniors to work out several times during the week so they can enjoy the many physical and mental benefits that come with routine exercise. Having an active life can keep you independent for longer. In addition, some age-related conditions can be slowed or controlled by keeping your body strong and fit.

Working out at home is a safe and convenient alternative to gyms or classes. Below you will find information on some of the most affordable and helpful home exercise machines available for seniors. We will be listing general features and facts about the devices. The last section includes a breakdown of our top favorite piece of at-home exercise equipment for seniors looking to workout at home.
Harmony Home Medical specializes in Medical Supplies for Seniors

Elliptical Machine

These machines come in a variety of sizes and price ranges. They are stationary and simulate stair walking. Elliptical machines allow you to get an excellent aerobic workout while you watch TV or listen to music. This kind of exercise can improve your heart, lungs, and various muscle groups while increasing stamina. Some physical therapists recommend elliptical machines as a recovery aid after knee surgery to promote healing. Seniors can easily adjust the equipment to accommodate limited mobility. Ellipticals create less strain on the joints than some other workout equipment.

Main Benefits

• Improves heart health
• Increases range of motion, joint health, and stamina

Common Features:

• You can personalize the incline, resistance, and movement direction
• Real-time tracker for heart rate, calories burned, and distance covered
• The smooth, natural movement is nearly silent
• Electronic controls for easy access

Additional Features

• Some are self-powered
• You can find some with built-in touch screens that have video workout classes included

Rowing Machine

Rowing machines are great for seniors because they are easy to maneuver, and exercises can be slowed. They are great for several twenty-minute workouts throughout the week and can provide many health benefits. There is also less risk of injury on this device compared to others because you operate it while sitting instead of standing.

Main Benefits

• Improves circulation
• Aerobic exercise lowers the risk of developing heart disease
• It is a good general workout for the whole body
• Improves posture and strengthens core muscles

Common Features:

• Variable resistance settings
• Cushioned and ergonomic seating
• Electronic monitor for tracking progress

Additional Features

• Many can be folded or easily tipped up on end to take up less space
• Rolls out of the way for quick storage

• Rowing machines can come in the following four types: water, hydraulic, magnetic, and aerodynamic

Exercise Bike

Harvard Medical SchoolGet all the benefits of a bike ride without the inherent risks that come with riding outdoors. According to Harvard Medical School, exercise bikes are low impact, which means they are ideal for individuals with joint pain or weakness.

Main Benefits

• Improves heart health and lowers the risk of a stroke or heart disease
• Strengthens hip, legs, abdominal muscles, and lower back

• Lowers blood pressure
• Lowers stress levels

Common Features:

• Customizable speed, seat height, resistance, and intensity
• Electronic monitor for tracking progress
• There are standing and sitting exercise options

Additional Features

• Some come with a library of workout videos that may be accessible through a streaming service
• Touchscreen control panel
• Some can break down easily for storage or transport 

Exercise Ball

An exercise ball is a standard piece of equipment for yoga and pilates. You can get exercise balls in various sizes and weights to help work out your core muscles and steadily improve stamina and strength. Exercise balls help seniors maintain their stability and balance.

Main Benefits

• Increases stability, control, and muscle strength
• Lowers stress
• Decreases risk of heart disease

Common Features:

• Exercise balls come in sizes small, medium, large, and extra-large
• They are often made of thick plastic and inflated with air

Additional Features

• For added security, some exercise balls have a flat bottom that will ensure it stays in one place while being used as a seated exercise tool

Leg and Arm Pedal Exerciser

The leg and arm pedal exerciser provide a full-body workout unlike any other on our list. You can find very affordable ones that are minimalist and take up very little space, or you can purchase fully electronic workout machines with many useful built-in features.

Main Benefits

• Decreases risk of heart disease
• Lowers blood pressure

• Lowers stress levels
• Improves overall physical health, circulation, posture, and stamina
• Strengthens all main muscle groups

Common Features:

• Adjustable seat, pedals, and handles
• Most come with some form of an electronic monitor for tracking progress

Additional Features

• Fully electronic controls with touch screen control panel

Treadmill for Walking

Treadmills are safer for older people who may have mobility or balance issues. The handrails can help lower the risk of an accidental fall. Multiple controls mean that incline and resistance can be changed as needed to accommodate mobility issues and joint pain while still providing a complete workout. Treadmills are one of the most common types of at-home gym equipment.

Main Benefits

• Improves cardiovascular health and stamina
• Increases balance and stability
• It is a good general workout

Common Features:

• Electronic monitor for tracking progress and heart rate
• Most come with a stand for placing a book, tablet, or music player
• A drink holder for water bottle

Additional Features

• Some come with a library of workout videos that may be accessible through a streaming service
• Touchscreen control panel

Weights can increase upper body strength, handgrip, and muscle strength for seniors and be useful for various physical therapy exercises to recover from an injury or illness symptoms. The two best types of weights for seniors are light free-weights and water weights since these put the least amount of strain on the body while providing benefits.

Light Free-Weights

Arm curls, triceps extensions, and overhead press exercises are all things that will increase strength and stamina. There are light free-weights designed for seniors that have thicker, ergonomic grips.

Main Benefits

• Improves upper body strength and handgrip
• Increases circulation

• Lowers blood pressure
• Decreases risk of heart disease

Water Weights

These weights are designed to be used in the water and are a great way to add resistance training to your workout with less strain on your joints, wrist, and arms.

Main Benefits:

• Increases cardiovascular health, circulation, and stamina
• Improves upper body strength and flexibility
• Increases rate of healing when rehabilitating weak or injured muscles

It can help to have exercise equipment that you can bring on the road to enjoy outdoors at the park or other indoor or outdoor locations. These are great for all ages. Seniors may find these useful because they are light, easy to transport, and can be set up almost anywhere. There is no need for bulky equipment to accomplish your exercise for the week.

Resistance Bands, Elastic Band Exercises

These are often used as accessories for yoga, pilates, and other physical workouts. Resistant and elastic bands are simple yet effective exercise tools with a host of health benefits. Because they are lightweight and easy to control, they make an excellent tool for seniors wanting to stay healthy.

Main Benefits

• Increases muscle strength and flexibility
• Improves range of motion, balance, and coordination
• Encourages stability and proper posture

Hand Grip Strengtheners

A hand gripper is a simple tool, but it can work out your entire hand, wrist, and forearm. Several age-related conditions often diminish finger and hand dexterity, and using hand grip strengtheners can help restore some flexibility. One added benefit is that it can be used pretty much anywhere and easily fit in a bag or purse. 

Main Benefits:

• Strengthens wrist and forearms
• It helps improve finger and hand endurance
• Increases mobility and dexterity

Yoga Mat

You can use a portable yoga mat for many physical activities, including pilates, stretches, and ab or muscle group workouts. They usually come with a bag or strap for easy transport.

Main Benefits:

• Protects against cold or hard surfaces
• Slip-resistant to decrease the risk of falling
• Most exercises meant for yoga mats improve balance and stability

Wrist Weights

These can be used with regular exercise or alone as a way of giving your wrists, elbows, arms, and shoulders some resistance workout as you do everyday tasks around the house. Weights are not designed to be worn for long periods, so follow your doctor's advice and the manufacturer's guidelines when using this product. These are a good alternative to lifting weights and are ideal for anyone who has lost hand strength or dexterity due to a stroke or other condition.

Main Benefits:

• Increases upper body strength
• Strengthens wrist, hand, and forearm

Our favorite piece of home exercise equipment is the Total Gym. Several variations come with workout tools like instructional DVDs. There are dozens of possible attachments and multiple sizes to choose from. You can use the Total Gym for pilates, row training, and other activities. They have workout exercise instructional videos that can be used with each product.

Total Gym Fit

With this single workout machine, you can get in a low-stress, full-body workout while providing enhanced results. There are over 80 unique exercises that you can do on this one multi-faceted machine. Over 4 million people use this workout equipment to achieve ideal results. The Total Gym can accommodate any fitness level and be adjusted for seniors with limited mobility.

Benefits:

• Total body workout that improves upper-body, ab, shoulder, back, neck, leg, strength
• Good for your heart, circulation, blood pressure, and overall health
• Increases stability, mobility, and stamina
• Improves posture, flexibility, and control

Included Features:

• Ability to adjust resistance level, height, and intensity
• Auto-lock system to keep it safe and secure while transitioning between exercises

What Sets it Apart:

• 30-day risk-free trial with a payment plan option available
• Delivered fully assembled
• Weight capacity of 450 pounds
• Extended 2-year warranty
• New workout programs added to the Total Gym library each month