After the age of 50 and beyond, being active has several advantages. You might benefit from doing extra exercise if you’ve been feeling sore and stiff from spending more time sitting.
In A Hurry? Here Are Our Top Recommendations
Total Gym APEX Versatile Indoor Home Workout
Total Gym XLS Universal Total Body Training Home Gym
Bowflex Blaze Home Gym
But going to the gymnasium isn’t appealing to those of us in our golden years. Although we know the importance of exercise, we prefer a light workout at home.
Investing in the best home gym for seniors is among the finest ways to integrate a workout regimen into your routine. They’re practical and efficient.
Along with being easily accessible from your home, they ought to offer a full-body strengthening workout. No matter how long you’ve been shopping or how recently you started, you’ve certainly noticed there are many different types of home gyms available. Find the best senior-friendly home gym system with the help of our article.
Best Home Gym for Seniors: Our Top 3 Picks
Table could not be displayed.What’s a Home Gym?
A home gym can refer to any space used only for workouts and furnished with low-impact exercise equipment offering a complete fitness facility in one unit. These include all-in-one machines, cage systems, and cardio equipment.
Regardless of the equipment, you opt for, to ensure that the heart remains as strong as other muscles, think about adding a rowing machine, treadmill, or mini elliptical for seniors to your home training area if there’s enough space.
7 Best Senior Home Gyms
Total Gym APEX Versatile Indoor Home Workout – Best for Value
This reasonably priced home gym device is adaptable enough to assist you in building strength, burning more calories, and feeling very much like yourself. The machine uses gravity inventively to work your arms, legs, and abs.
You can perform various exercises on the APEX, each of which concentrates on a particular muscle region. The fact that this home gym equipment offers a very moderate workout is its strongest feature. It’s also efficient and safe for seniors with knee problems, ankles, and hips.
Specifications
- Material: Alloy steel
- Product Weight: 375 pounds
- Resistance: 10 resistance levels
- Size: 19 x 90 x 43 inches
Pros
- Suitable for a range of exercises
- Includes a variety of workout DVDs and workout videos to get you started
- It contains all the accessories you need for a more comprehensive workout
Cons
- Additional weight bar isn’t supplied
- Pull-up bars and dip stations have foam handles making it difficult to apply the right pressure
Total Gym XLS Universal Total Body Training Home Gym – Best for Small Spaces
The Total Gyms are excellent because they simply use your weight as resistance. If you’re ambulatory and can straddle the platform, you shouldn’t have trouble lying on the cozy sliding board.
Seniors can also benefit from the pulley system because it’s simple to modify the range of motion for each activity. For instance, if you experience stiff shoulders, you may easily change your arc and perform upper body workouts within your comfortable range.
Exercise-wise, the Total Gym XLS provides a full-body workout. The redesigned squat stand in the XLS is ribbed for more support and comfort while in use.
Specifications
- Product Weight: 90 pounds
- Maximum Resistance: 400 pounds
- Size: 19 x 90 x 43 inches
- Style: Universal cable pulley- and bodyweight-based home gym
Pros
- Includes a wide variety of accessories for a complete workout
- Has a variety of training videos to help you get started with your training
- It’s small and collapsible, which you can fold and won’t take up much room
Cons
- It costs a little bit of money
- Only provides six resistance levels
Bowflex Blaze Home Gym – Best for Seniors with Bad Joints
The Bowflex Blaze is a mid-range model that feels more fluid and smooth compared to a cable stack. Standard resistance on the Bowflex Blaze home gym is 210 pounds, but you can upgrade to 310 or even 410 pounds if you’d like.
However, choosing your resistance and adjusting the machine for each exercise takes a little more time.
The Blaze’s main advantage is training diversity due to the absence of free weights that could be dropped, and the power rods are stationary. Although the Blaze folds up for storage, it requires a space of approximately three feet by eight feet when used.
Specifications
- Product Weight: 98 pounds
- Maximum Weight Resistance: 210 pounds upgradable to 310 or 410 pounds
- Size: 90 x 38 x 83 inches
Pros
- Has a wide range of resistance levels, making it suitable for light and heavy workouts
- The Blaze offers over 60 exercises, making it a great choice for beginners and advanced exercisers
- A lifetime guarantee covers the gym on the power rods and a 5-year warranty on the gym itself
Cons
- It’s relatively expensive compared to other home gyms on the market
- It takes up a fair amount of space, so it might not be ideal for small homes or apartments
Bowflex Xceed Home Gym – Best Standard Home Gym for Seniors
The Xceed is a very flexible home gym that allows you to perform 65 exercises that work every muscle in your body. Additionally, it can be upgraded to the resistance of up to 310 pounds.
Bowflex features a unique resistance system that enables seamless movement throughout the exercise without requiring you to twist or jolt your body. It encourages excellent posture while exercising, protects the joints, and is ideal for strength training and muscle rehabilitation.
As a result, it’s especially suitable for older citizens who want to become stronger such as women looking to HIIT workout for menopause but aren’t necessarily seeking to engage in a bodybuilding competition.
Specifications
- Material: Metal
- Product Weight: 183 pounds
- Maximum Weight Resistance: 210 pounds
- Size: 53 x 49 x 82 inches
Pros
- Its cost is quite reasonable
- It doesn’t occupy a lot of space in your house
- It’s incredibly simple to use once you know how
- The Xceed is very flexible and allows you to perform 65 various exercises
Cons
- Some users have reported that the assembly process for this gym can be quite complex
- You must do plenty of pulley adjustments and cable connections when switching between exercises
Marcy 150-lb Multifunctional Home Gym Station – Best for Beginners
The Marcy 150 lb Home Gym, a conventional cable system machine, is ideal for seniors due to its simplicity and security. It’s an improved version of its 120-pound predecessor.
This gym features traditional workouts, including the chest press, butterfly, and lat pulldown. For leg extensions and ham curls, it does include a leg developer.
A lower pulley with a foot strap is also available for rows and hip workouts.
Additionally, the Marcy 150-pound home gym is rather small. For this device, you simply need a floor area of around three feet by six feet.
Specifications
- Material: Steel, Vinyl, Foam
- Product Weight: 125 pounds
- Maximum Weight Resistance: 150 pounds
- Size: 68 x 42 x 78 inches
Pros
- The weight stack offers plenty of resistance for strength training
- It’s compact, making it a great choice for small homes or apartments
- It can be used for various exercises, including strength training, cardio workouts, and even yoga and Pilates
- The cable pulley system lets you perform various exercises for a well-rounded workout
Cons
- Due to its compact size, the chest press handles might be too near for taller people
- The machine isn’t adjustable, so you may need additional weights to increase the resistance
Body-Solid BSG10X Home Gym – Best for Traditional Home Gym
The Body-Solid Powerline BSG10X is senior-friendly and provides a little extra resistance and training variation.
The BSG10X’s three pulley systems significantly increase the number and diversity of workouts you may perform. It provides more than 40 distinct strengthening routines in total. A chest press station and a leg developer attachment are also included in this home gym.
The BSG10X falls into the mid-range price category. It also needs a floor area of roughly four feet by six feet, with a little extra room for comfort while being used.
Specifications
- Product Weight: 344 pounds
- Maximum Weight Resistance: 160 pounds
- Size: 70 x 42 x 80 inches
Pros
- It’s user-friendly, with clearly labeled buttons and an easy-to-understand manual
- BSG10X is versatile, durable and can provide a great workout for people of all fitness levels
- The gym has several pre-programmed workouts; therefore, users can get started immediately
- Its small footprint and compact design mean that it can be set up in any room, regardless of size
Cons
- Some users have reported issues with the quality of the construction and assembly of the machine
- The equipment is quite heavy, so you won’t be able to move it around without dismantling it
Body-Solid StrengthTech EXM2500S Home Gym – Best Ready-to-use Home Gym
EXM2500S is a single-stack home gym system that’s more conventional. It has two separate stations—one for the lat pulldown bar and leg developer, the other for the pec station, and the middle pulley.
The EXM2500S can only provide a limited number of workouts, but it can perform all the common movements found in a home gym. This gym’s 210 lb resistance is more than adequate for most seniors.
On the negative side, this StrengthTech gym is the largest on this list and needs around a 5′ x 7′ floor area. It also has the highest price on our list for a home gym.
Specifications
- Material: Steel
- Product Weight: 423 pounds
- Maximum Weight Resistance: 210 pounds
- Size: 85 x 61 x 83 inches
- Style: Single-stack home gym system
Pros
- Excellent engineering
- Very good third-party evaluations
- Lifetime warranty on the entire system
- Offers whole-body training with various exercises for each muscle group
- No accompanying app or instructional workouts
- A large footprint necessitates a sizable amount of room
Choosing the Best Home Gym For Seniors – Buying Guide
Consider the following factors when choosing exercise equipment for seniors at home.
Safety
Your home gym must, above all else, be safe to use, especially for those who will be exercising alone. Good equipment should be simple to go on and off with no possibility of being crushed by weights.
Avoid systems that use weight plates in favor of cable machines or other systems with easily adjustable resistance. These methods reduce the risk of dropping weight or hurting oneself when lifting a plate.
Full-Body Workout Available
You’ll need a home gym that enables you to build stronger arms and legs. Home gyms often overlook the lower body because so many upper body attachments are available. This means you must search for gym equipment with leg developers, leg presses, or squat platforms.
Keep in mind that the objective is to locate a single piece of equipment that can serve all of your strengthening requirements.
Comfortably Fits Inside The Home
Make sure the home gym equipment will fit your workout area. Although more conventional weight systems are a little wider, provided you have a few yards of floor space, you shouldn’t worry. You ought to be able to locate anything appropriate.
Price Range
Most people prioritize cost first. And that sounds right to consider your finances before making a big purchase.
However, it would be more sensible to consider your fitness objectives and the aforementioned factors before you evaluate the cost. The long-term benefit justifies another few months of saving up to buy it.
Exercise Program
Your ability to complete as many workouts with your chosen model will be essential. Most models come with a selection of fitness tutorial films to help you learn how to utilize your new equipment. Targeting all major muscle groups will be crucial if you wish to maintain your fitness regimen.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Having a Senior Home Gym
Benefits
- It’s more practical and secure than a training facility. You have the place all to yourself at home.
- If you have a home gym, you can stay in shape without leaving the house. It’s much simpler to stick to a fitness plan.
- Although the upfront cost of a new home gym system is high, you will be cutting costs over the cost of gym membership in the next two to three years.
Drawbacks
- Despite having the right equipment, knowing which activities are ideal for you can be challenging if you’re new to working out.
- Registering for a gym membership is significantly less expensive in the short run than buying a home gym.
Is It Better to Exercise at Home or a Gym as a Senior?
It’s relatively safe for senior citizens to exercise at home, though it depends on the individual and type of exercise. However, you might feel more at ease having additional people nearby to assist you if you injure yourself or have any major medical difficulties or concerns.
In a fitness center, you enjoy contact with instructors and personal trainers who may advise you on how to exercise safely depending on your age and body shape. Working out at home might not be your greatest choice if you don’t have the know-how or experience.
It’s wise to seek medical advice before beginning a fitness adventure, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition.
Importance of Physical Activity for Seniors
Movement is the secret to equilibrium, strength, and cardiovascular health so you can remain active into your senior years. According to research, you can extend your life by performing at least 20 minutes of physical activity each day.
Regular exercise can:
- Increase mobility and range of motion
- Lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease
- Balance is improved, and the chance of falling is decreased
- Boost brain and memory function and other aspects of cognition
- Prevent osteoporosis, which causes a decrease in bone mass and fractures
- Prevent sarcopenia, which is a loss of muscle that has an impact on general health
What Is the Best Home Gym for Seniors FAQs
What Is the Best Home Gym Equipment for Seniors?
The best home gym equipment for seniors depends on your needs. Generally, exercise machines such as electric bikes and treadmills, which allow seniors to perform aerobic workouts of different intensities, are ideal for anyone over 50.
What Total Gym Is Best for Seniors?
The best Total Gym for older men and seniors generally depends on the available space, price, and body parts you want to exercise. With these factors in mind, finding the best Total Gym for seniors should be easy to choose.
What’s the Best Exercise Equipment for Seniors?
The best exercise equipment for seniors is one on which you can perform different or specific workouts. For example, elliptical machines provide a low-impact workout that is easy on the joints, while recumbent bikes offer an alternative for those with balance issues.
What Is the Best Exercise Equipment for a 70-Year-Old Woman?
Ripple is new exercise equipment that’s perfect for 70-year-old women. It has several built-in safety features, including a heart rate monitor and an emergency stop button.
Conclusion
Many seniors find that traditional forms of exercise, such as running or lifting weights, are no longer feasible due to joint pain or other age-related issues. Fortunately, a wide range of exercise equipment is specifically designed for seniors, and the above list further narrows your search.
A home gym will help you work out efficiently without traveling anywhere or paying expensive membership fees that may not be worth it anyway due to the high cost per session. The best part is that you don’t require a lot of room to set up a home gym.
Remember to exercise carefully and correctly to avoid excess strain on joints.
I’m a triathlete and life coach, with a focus on holistic health, fitness & women’s issues.
I also write about my gastronomic adventures and my love for the outdoors.