Written by Naheed Ali, MD, PhD
Staying active is crucial for seniors' health, independence, and quality of life, and home exercise equipment can make a profound difference. It allows older adults who may have difficulty commuting to a gym to safely and conveniently exercise at home, reducing the risk of falls and injuries. When shopping for home exercise equipment, it's important to consider features like ease of use, stability, and adaptability to ensure they meet the specific needs of seniors.
 | 1) Stationary Recumbent Indoor Exercise Bike by Vive Health View Product |
Your goals are the first factor to consider when weighing options for a home gym. Is there a specific area of the body to target for strength training? Is there a need for you to recover from an injury or illness that prevents using a particular muscle group? What are your long-term mobility and fitness goals? Is it your desire to increase overall exercise capacity, or is it necessary to facilitate a particular joint's rehabilitation? The answers to these questions will impact the type of fitness equipment you choose.
When buying gym equipment, consider its size. Do you have enough space in your home for a treadmill? Do you prefer to exercise in the living room with a smaller, portable device? There are several options when it comes to home exercise equipment for seniors. Keep the size of the equipment in mind as you scroll through our list of favorites.
There are situations when exercise may be unsafe for seniors. This is why it is important to check out the safety features of these different types of equipment to see if they’re designed for their use, especially since some products incorporate more senior-friendly considerations than others.
Some features to look out for include large foot pedals, longer-than-standard handrails, swivel seats, and step-through designs that allow users to mount or dismount the equipment easily.
If you or an older loved one is not particularly tech-savvy, you’ll want to consider how much technology is involved in operating the machine. Most of the equipment on our list is extremely simple to use. Most have senior-friendly features like large buttons, but some may require more technology awareness. Depending on your level of tech comfort, technology can benefit you. Some machines, for example, have optional apps that offer fitness tracking and exercise suggestions.
For most older adults, a low-impact exercise machine (one that does not involve excessive strain on joints or bones) is the safest and best at preventing injury. Keep in mind that the body changes with age. Your workouts now may differ from what you used to do in your 20s. This is natural! When shopping, you don’t have to purchase high-impact machines with lots of resistance levels. What we have on this list will probably suit your needs. Even the treadmill excludes an incline feature to decrease impact.
Older adults over 65 should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity weekly, like brisk walking. If an individual’s schedule doesn’t allow that, they can reap the same benefits by getting 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity (hiking, jogging, or running, if health and mobility allow). In addition to aerobic exercise, seniors should aim for 2 days per week of strength training (e.g., lifting weights or doing yoga) and 3 days per week of activities that improve balance. Some activities can serve multiple purposes (e.g., yoga provides strength training and tests balance abilities).
Older adults can exercise too much, although the cut-off varies widely between individuals. Studies have demonstrated that over 7.5 hours per week of exercise is associated with heart problems. In general, exercise that results in injury, exhaustion, or other adverse effects (heart palpitations, etc.) indicates that an older adult may need to reduce the intensity of the workout.
Seniors should try to avoid exercises that put too much strain on the joints and bones, such as high-impact exercises like running or jumping. These exercises increase the risk of injury and degenerative conditions like arthritis. Older adults should also avoid exercises that put too much strain on the heart. Seniors should talk to their providers about what “max heart rate” is safe during exercises and consider wearing an activity tracker to monitor these numbers while they work out.
As individuals age, the processes that help facilitate the transition from exercise to muscle-building slow down. This makes developing and maintaining strength difficult, leading to reluctance to exercise since the results are not always obvious. Given the number of physical and mental advantages though, older adults must maintain an active lifestyle, even if it's challenging.
Several exercises can help improve older adults’ balance, but among the best and most popular is a martial art called tai chi. This is because it is a series of slow exercises requiring constant subtle shifts in weight that test balance and coordination. Balance workouts are especially important for older adults because they reduce the risk of falls. Some studies have shown that tai chi can reduce fall risk in this population by up to 45%.
There are many mental benefits to exercise. This is especially important in a population prone to neurological disorders like dementia. Research shows that physically active individuals are less likely to experience a mental decline and have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common type of dementia. It’s also a natural mood-lifter and can help older adults who suffer from depression.
It can be challenging to stay motivated to do home workouts regularly. It’s important to have a routine and stick to it. Call a neighbor, family member, or friend and ask them to hold you accountable. Another tip is to set realistic goals. You’re more likely to skip workouts if your goals are unattainable. Finally, make sure you have the right equipment.
 | Motorized Full Body Exerciser Bike - PhysioPedal by Nobol | Ideal for Low-Impact Rehab and Fitness View Product |
The PhysioPedal 2-in-1 Motorized Exerciser by Nobol, our number 5 choice, is a versatile and innovative fitness device designed to accommodate users of all fitness levels, making it an ideal choice for seniors, individuals in rehabilitation, and anyone seeking a low-impact workout option. This exerciser supports safe and effective recovery for those with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses, allowing them to exercise comfortably from their favorite chair or couch. It features motor-assisted pedaling with customizable workout intensity, promoting improved muscle strength and mobility. The PhysioPedal's quiet operation, compact design, and ease of transport make it a convenient addition to any home exercise routine.
 | PhysioStep MDX Recumbent Elliptical Cross-Trainer with Swivel Seat View Product |
Earning the number 4 spot on the list is the PhysioStep MDX Recumbent Elliptical Cross-Trainer with Swivel Seat by Healthcare International. This equipment has a robust design and can accommodate up to 500 pounds. This makes it ideal for long-term use in a single location, and it is not designed to be moved frequently from one place to another. It’s ideal for moderate-intensity workouts that can be integrated into a long-term fitness plan for weight loss or fall prevention.
It is extremely versatile with 16 resistance settings and 18 pre-set programs designed to accommodate any skill and fitness level. Its user-friendly design and versatility make it an ideal machine for you or a loved one transitioning to home exercise from physical therapy or rehabilitation.
 | XBU55 Upright Stationary Exercise Bike by Spirit Fitness View Product |
The XBU55 Upright Stationary Exercise Bike by Spirit Fitness, our number 3 pick, is a top-tier choice for maintaining cardiovascular health and overall fitness. Designed to suit a wide range of users, from beginners to seasoned cyclists, this bike features an easy-to-read LCD screen, adjustable resistance, and a built-in cooling fan for a refreshing workout experience. The XBU55's heart rate monitors and compatibility with the Spirit Fit smartphone app ensure you can safely and effectively track and achieve your fitness goals. Its compact design and high-quality construction make it an excellent addition to any home gym, providing a user-friendly and economical solution for residential exercise.
 | T50 Endurance Cardio Walking Treadmill for Seniors by Body Solid View Product |
Runner-up is the Endurance Cardio Walking Treadmill by Body-Solid. Not all treadmills are suitable for older adults, but this one has all the features to stay safe while walking or jogging. It has full-length handrails padded for user comfort and a built-in walking belt for added safety. It has a speed-limiting function so that the speed can only be increased by 0.1 mph increments at a time, as well as large LED displays and oversized buttons. Finally, it features a ramp at the end so that older adults don’t need to step down from the machine. This further boosts its safety profile.
The only major consideration is its size. Compared to some of the other items on our list, it is more difficult to transport. This unit is best for older adults who have a basement or large space to accommodate it.
 | Stationary Recumbent Indoor Exercise Bike by Vive Health View Product |
Our top pick is the Stationary Recumbent Indoor Exercise Bike by Vive Health. This is an excellent all-around fitness option for older adults looking to integrate more aerobic exercise into their daily routine. The lay-back seated posture is ideal for seniors with any history of back pain since this helps reduce stress on the back during exercise. The low-impact exercise is also helpful in reducing stress on the joints.
This high-tech home exercise equipment also has a built-in heart rate monitor that allows you to track heart rate during workouts. The information can be stored. You can review your progress over time. It also can be paired with the Vive Fit app for added convenience. Other senior-friendly features include the large, multifunctional display panel and padded seat for increased comfort.
Older adults should incorporate exercise into their routines for several reasons, including decreased fall risk, lower chances of injury, decreased chances of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, improved mood, and many others. Since it can be challenging for older adults to go to normal gyms, investing in high-quality home exercise equipment is especially important. As outlined in this article, a range of commercial-grade exercise machines are available for home purchase.
The main factor you need to determine before selecting is what type of exercise equipment you prefer, given any pre-existing mobility challenges: stationary bike, seated row, treadmill, or elliptical machine. The best all-around model for low-impact exercise is the Stationary Recumbent Indoor Exercise Bike due to its low cost but high value and special features designed to accommodate older adults. These include a built-in heart rate monitor, a layback posture design, and a large display screen.
Thank you so much for reading about our 5 top picks for home exercise equipment for seniors. For more information about home exercise equipment, take some time to check out our exercise fitness equipment, and be sure to visit Caregiver University for more information about products and caregiver resources.
Dr. Ali is a physician by education and a writer by choice since 2005. He earned an MD degree in 2008 and later completed Harvard Medical School's lifestyle medicine training in 2012, before obtaining a PhD in holistic health elsewhere in 2013. He brings more than 15 years of experience working in a remote environment. Now a digital nomad, he’s currently a health and wellness writer.
