Treadmills are an effective means to strengthen the body muscles. In the case of seniors, treadmills are expected to maintain body balance, regenerate lost mobility, strengthen the muscles and improve cardiovascular health.
So, here goes an article that covers all that you need to know covering the 8 best treadmills for the elderly.
What Are the Best Treadmill Workout for Older People
The best workouts for older people on treadmills include moderate-level intensity workouts like walking and jogging. Each of these must preferably be preceded and succeeded by a warm-up and cool-down session, respectively.
Brisk walking for around 30 minutes per day would help in maintaining optimal fitness and minimize the health hazards like heart attacks. Such exercises strengthen the muscles and help in maintaining the necessary balance.
Are Treadmills Walking Bad For Joints?
Treadmills that are adequately designed are not bad for joints. In fact, they are better against walking on rough ground. The prime factors that make them safer include the comforts offered like cushioning, speed control, shock absorption system, and safety components.
As a person gets older, his joints tend to become weaker. As a result, seniors should avoid straining their joints unnecessarily. Treadmills are designed to take care of this point by padding their necessary parts and by including an efficient shock absorption system.
Furthermore, there is a necessity to ensure optimal balancing in the case of senior citizens as opposed to youngsters. In treadmills, long handrails, emergency stop buttons, and wide running areas ensure the maximum level of safety.
Top 8 Best Safe Treadmills for Walking for Seniors and Elderly
Sunny Health & Fitness Walking Treadmill SF-T7857 – Best Treadmill with Long Handrails for Seniors Walking
Sunny Health and Fitness SF-T7857 is one of the best treadmills for 60-year-old people, more ideal for walking. It supports a maximum weight of 295 pounds and can be operated at a maximum speed of 5 miles per hour.
It has a built-in shock absorption system that reduces the stress on the joints. The long handrails attached to the frame are further padded with thick foam to increase the grip. This enhances the level of security while exercising.
There is a large, user-friendly console that helps in keeping a record of the distance covered, calories burned, track time, and others. It is even fitted with transportation wheels at its front end to facilitate easy movement.
Besides, ST-T7857 is characterized by a low treadmill deck, 44 × 19.5 inches running space, a mode button that facilitates customization, and a strong motor. However, the model lacks storage space and is devoid of a pulse sensor.
Pros
- Long handrails providing optimal grip
- Easy to use control panel
- Relatively smaller footprint
- Includes lubrication reminder function
Cons
- Does not have built-in exercise programs
- It does not support incline moves
3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill – Best Durable Treadmill for Overweight Seniors
This is a top commercial model that is one of the best treadmills for overweight seniors as it supports a maximum of 400 pounds. It is sturdy built using high-quality steel and thus suits heavy-duty applications like long hours of running.
3G Cardio Elite Runner is characterized by a deck of length 62 inches that is 22 inches wide. It comes with a powerful 4 horsepower motor and 3 inches big rollers. This makes it extremely quiet at operation, even when operated at its top speed of 12 mph.
The model imbibes the Ortho Flex Shock suspension system that efficiently takes care of shock waves. It comes with 3 built-in exercise programs, fitness tests, and pre-programmed courses, which makes everything handy while working out!
Furthermore, its parts are warranty for 10 long years, offer single touch height and speed settings, including a wireless heart rate controller, has a multi-speed fan and provides an option to build customized exercise sessions.
Pros
- It comes with built-in programs
- It is compatible with many electronic devices
- Supports incline workouts
- Imbibes touch-enabled user controls
Cons
- It is not very budget-friendly
- Comparatively small display
Exerpeutic TF1000 Ultra High Capacity Electric Treadmill for Elderly
Exerpeutic TF1000 is the best treadmill for 60 years old as it is loaded with lots of features yet is friendly in terms of budget. It is equipped with a motor of 1.5 horsepower and comes with a Quiet Drive that minimizes the level of noise.
Its frame is made from superior quality steel and thus supports a maximum of 400 pounds. The belt of this model is considerably wide, making the equipment suitable to be used by many people, including the taller ones.
The machine is characterized by long handlebars that measure around 18 inches. This provides a good grip for the elderly minimizing slippage and associated injuries. Its desk is adequately cushioned, enabling efficient shock absorption.
In Exerpeutic TF1000, you can manually set the inclines to two different positions. This enables to choose the level of resistance, facilitating intensified exercise programs. However, its motor is ideal only for walking.
Pros
- Is cost-efficient
- Supports emergency shut off
- Come pre-assembled
- It is fixed with heart rate monitors
Cons
- Incline has to be set manually
- Has no built-in programs
Goplus 2 in 1 Electric Folding Treadmill for 60-Year-Old
This is a motorized folding treadmill that comes with a strong 2.25 horsepower motor. Its top speed limit is 7.5 mph and can be used by users who weigh a maximum of 265 pounds. It is featured by a 7-layer shock-absorbing, slip-resistant belt.
Goplus 2 in 1 electric folding treadmill can be used by persons of varying heights as it is featured by a wide running area measuring 40 × 16 inches. Further, it comes with 12 built-in programs that leave you in ready-to-go mode.
The model imbibes a clear LED panel that shows time spent, distance covered, speed of the belt, and calories burnt. This helps in real-time monitoring of your workout statistics, making it one of the best treadmills for senior citizens.
Besides, it is equipped with a remote that can be used to change its speed settings, a tablet holder, and an emergency stop button that assures maximum safety. Nevertheless, this machine does not support incline workouts.
Pros
- Offers 12 built-in exercise programs
- It is compact and easy to store
- Imbibes tablet holder
- It is ultra-quiet at operation
Cons
- It does not support incline moves
- Lacks heart rate monitors
ProGear HCXL 4000 Walking Treadmill for Elderly Over 70
ProGear HCXL 4000 is a small treadmill that operates on electric power. It has a motor with 1.5 horsepower and can work at a maximum speed of 4 miles per hour, much sufficient for most seniors who prefer walking.
It imbibes a Quiet Drive mechanism that keeps the noise at bay, even when operating at the maximum speed. Its belt is 40 inches long and 20 inches wide, and the treadmill is adequately padded to ensure maximum grip and comfort.
This model is the best treadmill for the elderly as it supports people who weigh up to a maximum of 400 pounds. It is characterized by extra-long handrails that become handy at both inclinations and operate noiselessly owing to the Quiet Drive mechanism.
Apart from these, it equips a large clear LCD panel, emergency cutoff control, speed controller buttons, and ON/OFF switches. However, the inclinations settings are to be set manually, and no electronic devices can be connected.
Pros
- Easy-to-use controls
- It can be operated at two inclined positions
- Speed can be adjusted in steps of 0.1 mph
- Easily foldable design
Cons
- Lacks auto incline feature
- No built-in programs
Exerpeutic TF900 High Capacity Walking Treadmill
Exerpeutic TF900 is a lightweight best treadmill for 60 years old that is specially designed to be used in homes. It is compact and thus can be conveniently set up in a small area. The maximum weight bearable by the model is 350 pounds, and the upper-speed limit is 4 mph.
It is characterized by a ground-level walking surface and comes with wide side rails that aid in easy assembly and disassembly. Its long handles provide the necessary grip, and the wheels fitted for its heavy-duty frame make it portable.
There is a speed control button that helps in easy control of treadmill speed and an easy-to-read LCD that displays calories burnt, distance covered, time spent, and speed of the belt. Besides, there is a warranty of 1 year for its frame and 5 years for its motor.
However, the track size of this model is not too big. Moreover, its motor has a power of 1.5 horsepower and is thus not very strong. These factors make it more of an entry-level treadmill that is ideal for performing low-intensity workouts like brisk walks and strolls only.
Pros
- Light in weight
- Is cost-effective
- Ideal for light workouts
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- No built-in exercise programs
- It does not support incline workouts
ProGear 190 Manual Treadmill
ProGear 190 Manual is a non-electric treadmill that has the capacity to support a maximum weight of 230 pounds. Its frame is made from strong steel material and includes wide side rails that assure additional safety.
Its belt size measures 43 inches in length and is 13 ¼ inches in width. It supports inclination at two different positions, namely, 6 and 10 degrees. This helps you set the desired level of difficulty while exercising.
The model is fitted with two cast iron flywheels that facilitate smooth, noiseless walking. The machine can be easily transported to the desired place with the help of wheels. Further, its design is made apt to aid in space-saving storage.
This is the best treadmill for senior walking as it demands no maintenance. Nevertheless, it is to be noted that this model is devoid of built-in training sessions and is not very suitable to be used by persons taller than 6 feet.
Pros
- Requires no electric power
- Supports incline moves
- Operates smoothly
- Is maintenance-free
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy workouts
- Lacks built-in programs
HCL Fitness PhysioMill Rehabilitation Walking Treadmill with Long Handrails
HCL Fitness PhysioMill Rehabilitation Walking treadmill is one of the best treadmills for overweight seniors. It imbibes a powerful servo motor that is characterized by true zero starting speed. This enables easy speed adjustments in steps as small as 0.1 mph.
It can support a maximum weight of 500 pounds and can operate at a top speed of 15 mph. This model is featured with a low step-up height that makes it safe for elderly people and suitable for people with special abilities.
This model offers a wide running area measuring 20 inches in width and 63 inches in length. Its tread belt is very thick and can be moved in both directions, forward and backward. This helps in mimicking downhill walking in addition to uphill movement.
Besides, there are dual emergency buttons that add on to safety, long handrails that minimize slipping, a large LCD to keep track of training parameters, and a shock absorption system to relieve joints from stress. However, the machine demands more space due to its non-folding design.
Pros
- It has a built-in heart rate monitor
- Supports both uphill and downhill movements
- It can be used for rigorous workouts too
- It comes with a start/stop/pause remote
Cons
- It is a non-foldable design
- Occupies large space
Are Treadmills Safe, and Should Seniors Use Treadmills?
Yes, treadmills are safe and are recommended to be used by seniors. They offer many advantages in comparison to walking on bare ground. A few of these are mentioned here below.
- They offer variable speeds that can be adjusted to suit individual needs.
- The cushioning offered minimizes the stress on joints while making you physically fit.
- Changeable inclination angles act as an add-on feature.
- Treadmills come with many features that take care of users’ safety.
- They can be controlled easily to create a customized exercise environment.
- The necessary parameters can be monitored in real-time on their display console.
- Working on treadmills increases the health of senior citizens.
- Treadmill workouts can be carried on well within the residence.
- The use of treadmills is independent of time and weather conditions.
How Many Steps Should a Senior Citizen Take a Day?
The exact number of steps that should be taken by a senior citizen depends on a variety of factors. This includes their exact age, health condition, medication (if any), health history, and others.
As per NCBI research, a healthy old person should take 2000 to 9000 steps per day. This limit is slightly lower for those who would be suffering from movement affecting chronic illnesses and ranges from 1800 to 8800 steps per day.
With this, the optimal limit can be fixed around 7000 to 8000 steps per day. So, roughly speaking, the healthy seniors can set their goal to be in the range of 7000 to 10000 steps/day while those suffering from medical conditions can aim to achieve 6500 to 8500 steps/day.
How Much Exercise Is Recommended For Elderly Persons?
The amount of exercise is subjective and thus cannot be generalized. It varies from person to person and heavily depends on their physical state and medical history. Nevertheless, balance and flexibility exercises are believed to be essential parts of their daily fitness routine.
US Department of Health and Human Services recommends a 150-minute aerobic workout session for senior citizens every single week. This limit is for moderate-level exercises like brisk walks spanning around 30 minutes per day.
Instead, if you plan for high-intensity workouts, then the time can be halved, that is, 75 minutes per week. Jogging is a potential exercise that can form a part of this exercise program. Adding to these, seniors are recommended to undertake strength training at least 2 days per week.
How to Choose a Treadmill for Seniors and Elderly People
The factors that are important from the perspective of the elderly need not always be in good agreement with the teenagers. The same is the case with treadmills. As a result, while choosing a treadmill for the seniors, the priorities need to be reordered.
Here goes a list of a few factors that need to be paid attention to if you aim at purchasing the best treadmill for elderly people.
Cushion
Cushioning provided by the treadmill is crucial when it comes to comfort and safety. In the elderly, the natural cushioning of the joints would be much lesser than those in youngsters. Treadmill cushion is expected to act as an alternative, thus reducing the chances of injury.
However, it is to be noted that better cushioning is available only in the case of high-end treadmills. So, the more you spend, the better will the cushioning be. Nevertheless, the use of orthopedic sneakers proves helpful if you do not wish to spend too much.
Incline
The incline helps in emulating the effect experienced while climbing the hill. Higher inclination means lesser pressure on the knees, primely due to the shift of body weight. This would help the elderly as most of them would have knee-associated health issues.
Besides, walking on an incline increases the rate of calorie burn by almost two times. This increases the efficacy of the workout by better toning the muscles within a short period, avoiding fatigue. Thus, the best treadmill for seniors walking is expected to support inclined walking.
Safety
Safety must be prioritized over all other features of the treadmill, especially while choosing it for elderly persons. Further, they are expected to be as easily accessible as possible to enable quick, effortless, single-handed action.
Safety lanyards that cease the motion when the person slips, long handrails against the shorter ones, better gripping, dashed tread belt, visual display of treadmill statistics like its speed, emergency shut off buttons, and others need to be taken care of.
Speed
The most desirable action that would be performed by the senior citizens on the treadmill is walking or jogging, not running. Thus, the motor that supports a maximum operative speed of around 4 mph would suffice.
Moreover, the noise of the treadmill can be annoying, not only for elders but also for others. Thus, the lesser the noise, the better the machine. So, the best treadmill for seniors walking needs to be quiet at operation, although not of extremely high strength.
Design
The design of the treadmill is the key factor to pay attention to while buying a treadmill for old people. It is better to choose the ones that are ergonomically built and are robust but light in weight and easy to carry.
Lighter frames can be handled better in terms of maneuvering, and the wheels may further elevate the level of convenience. Furthermore, as in the case of any other age group, the treadmills are expected to occupy a lesser footprint both at deployment and storage.
Running Belt’s Size
The size of the running belt is not very important if the treadmill is not intended to be used for running. So, in the case of the elderly, it is enough if you ensure that the length of the belt matches well with the height of the user.
For persons lesser than 5 feet in length, a treadmill with a belt size of around 45 inches would be the best. This greatly facilitates the accomplishment of long strides. However, the narrower belts with a length of around 20” provide hassle-free access to handlebars.
Secondary Features
LCD Panel
The best treadmill for senior citizens is expected to have a large display panel. This enables easy and quick reading of the workout data without straining the old eyes.
Heart Rate Monitor
Elderly people are often advised to exercise at a particular heart rate. So, it is preferred to have a heart rate monitor fixed for their treadmill, as it aids in better planning and consistent stress monitoring.
Special Requisitions
There are treadmills in the market that are customized for easy usage by people suffering from physical disabilities like low vision and other cognitive issues. Do go for them if there is a need!
Warranty
As is the case with any other machine, it is better to opt for the treadmill that comes with a long period of warranty. This would undoubtedly leave you tension-free for worn or damaged parts.
Customer Support
Support extended from the company is always an add-on to look for. The same applies while choosing the best treadmill for seniors. The quicker the support, the better it will be!
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