Indoor exercise equipment for seniors

Staying in shape is important for all ages, especially for home bound people.

Considering the current pandemic and snowy winter some people chose to stay home. Many vulnerable seniors are affected by lack of active exercise, outside walks and minimal social engagement. These factors contribute to low mood, depression and decline in overall wellbeing.

Bringing exercise equipment to your home might be a good start. However, it is vital to choose the right equipment for seniors to prevent accidents and injuries. Safety and comfort are two vital factors. Please remember to wear proper orthopedic shoes while exercising.

Treadmills and bikes would be a good choice to improve lifestyle. Although with typical running treadmills, the greatest risk is falling. Misplacing a step, losing concentration or balance, and poor shoes all might lead to injury.

A few questions should be asked.

Do I want electric or mechanical equipment? The difference is that electrical equipment might have a variety of interesting options whereas mechanical variants are less confusing and break less often. 

Would you like to use it for the work of the legs and arms?

Would you like it to have a monitor display to inform you on your progress?

Are you technologically savvy and interested in real-time Bluetooth tracking?

Am I concerned about how much space it takes?

Price range?

What are the choices?

Indoor portable or folding Pedal Exerciser (bike)

Elliptical walking trainer (treadmill)

What to look for?

Smooth and Quiet Operation, Compact Design, Adjustable

Safety pedal straps

Anti-slip rubber pads for treadmill

Exercise while sitting (you’ll need a comfortable chair with arms to keep you in upright position, it should be proper height so you can easily rise from a chair).

Important factors to consider when choosing a chair include:

Seat height: A higher seat will make it easier to get in and out of the chair, but if too high, it will put too much pressure on the back of your thighs and your feet won’t touch the floor, making it more uncomfortable when sitting. 

Seat depth: this needs to be sufficient to support the full length of your thighs, but not be so deep that you have to lean back. If the chair is too deep, a comfortable and simple way to shorten the seat is to add a cushion behind your back.

The height of the armrests: these should allow the arms to be rested without raising or dropping your shoulders. 

We hope that you find this information helpful.

Stay Active!

-Michael Bakshy

Shalom Home Care