Easy to Use Exercise Equipment for Seniors

Super Seniors

Exercise equipment that will make you feel like a world class athlete

One thousand one, one thousand two. Click.

Two seconds. Two seconds between Usain Bolt, the world record holder in the 100-meter dash, and Ronald Taylor, the world record holder for men over 60. If that doesn't blow your mind, then fathom this: the world record holder for men over 70, Bobby Whilden, would have finished in this hypothetical race a mere second behind Taylor.

A long time ago, the four-minute mile was considered impossible until young, skinny Roger Bannister eclipsed the mark in 1954. He was 25 at the time. In 2011, 62-year-old Nolan Shaheed ran the 1500-meter (the rough equivalent of a mile) in 4:24.

For women over 60, it's more of the same — astounding times and amazing records. For example, the fastest senior woman alive is Canada's Karla Del Grande, who ran the 100-meter dash in 13.63 seconds in 2014. Compare that to the overall female record holder in the 100, Florence Griffith Joyner, who set the world record in 1988 with a time of 10.49 seconds. Bernadette Portenski of New Zealand owns the over-60 world record in the marathon with a time of 3:01:30. She was 61 at the time.

What Does This Mean for Seniors

The take-away is that the aging process need not be a time of physical decline. While it may indeed be a time of decline for a lot of people, it's often due to a personal choice to be inactive, a needless surrender to a sedentary lifestyle.

World senior athletic records are impressive enough at face value, but consider that these records were set by seniors who continued to train rigorously after passing their prime years. Most don't do that, so imagine what the senior records might be if more seniors trained in athletic disciplines.

Physical activity for seniors, whether they're after gold medals or just getting better at mowing the lawn is vital. It is the single most important element in improving cardiovascular health, which in turn benefits overall health.

Benefits of Exercise for Seniors

The benefits of exercise are well-established and include:

• Improved strength
• Improved balance
• Improved energy level
• Improved cardiovascular health
• Improved memory and cognition

All of these factors — and there are many more — add up to longevity, an enhanced sense of well-being and independence. Yet despite the staggering amount of information available on the topic, seniors seem to fall into two camps — those who choose to be active and those who choose to be couch potatoes.

True, there are debilitating illnesses or injuries that prevent or hinder exercise, but the number one reason seniors become sedentary is because they choose the lifestyle. It didn't choose them.

There are a number of forms of exercise, with diverse benefits. Probably the most beneficial form of exercise is aerobics — anything that gets the heart pumping and the lungs blowing. Walking is the most obvious activity on the list and one look at the jumbo shopping mall at 7:30 a.m. — before the stores even open — tells you that seniors are taking walking seriously. Also on the list of aerobic exercises are jogging, cycling, dancing and playing sports like tennis.

Strength conditioning is another activity that too many seniors overlook. Muscle atrophy among seniors is practically universal, and the only sure way to maintain muscle tone is through strength training. This can be accomplished through weight lifting, resistance exercises and just plain ole' hard work that requires some degree of lifting.

Seniors often find they're not as flexible as they used to be, so flexibility exercises that stretch the muscles are a big help. Yoga is highly recommended for this purpose, as well as for balance.

Scheduling Your Exercises

How, where and when seniors exercise is an important factor, and sometimes is the make-or-break factor in whether or not they stick to an exercise regimen.

Home is the most convenient place, of course, but it might not accommodate all that you might want to do. Walking or jogging in the neighborhood is a great choice, but some neighborhoods aren't good for walking or jogging.

The "mall-walkers' club" is an option, but your town might not have a big mall. Also, malls are shutting down all across the nation, so there goes your safe place for a morning stroll. Seniors are joining health clubs in record numbers, and for those who live close enough to a gym to make it worthwhile it's a fine option. But for those who don't and for seniors who don't drive at night, or in inclement weather, the appeal of the gym loses its shine.

So we're back to the exercise-at-home option for many of you. The good news here is, there is a way to get the aerobic conditioning, strength training and flexibility therapy at home through the use of consumer grade exercise equipment.

While many exercise devices promise weight loss, firm tummies, uplifted tushes and more, many of them are just snake oil, designed for one purpose — to get your money. Stay away from them.

But there are many worthwhile home exercise equipment devices in the marketplace, and they're worth investing in. Before plunking down cash on one or more of the following devices, make sure you have adequate space for it in your home and that it won't crimp your style. And above all, make sure you make a pact with yourself that you will regularly use the device, and not let it become the most expensive clothes hanger in the house.