Our Cookie Policy

Echofavor and carefully selected third parties use cookies on this site to improve performance, for analytics and to show you offers tailored to your interests on our site and third party sites. By continuing to use our site, you consent to our use of cookies. Privacy Policy

Life is memorable. Share your experience. Help others. Return the favor. Terms Of Use    Privacy Policy    About    FAQ    Help   Contact Us  
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate with other third parties, Echofavor earn from qualifying purchases and display advertisements.
0.2517949
Research >> Treadmill >> Seniors

Best Treadmill for Senior Walking

Seniors need exercise just as much as younger people. To stay active, they need a trusty exercise machine at home or at the gym, and a treadmill is an excellent candidate for the job. It can give seniors enough vigorous workout while staying indoors, away from the dangerous terrain outside. 

Because seniors have different needs, choosing the best treadmill for senior walking may be a little difficult. There are certain features they absolutely require and other features they prefer. This is why it’s important to consider the pros and cons of a home treadmill brand before purchasing one. The list below offers 5 high quality treadmills for the elderly. 

Benefits of Treadmills for Seniors

The World Health Organization recommends a weekly minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic exercise among older adults aged 65 and above.  This recommendation is actually the same for younger, able-bodied individuals. 
The bottom line is age is not much of a factor in exercise. People need virtually the same level of physical activity in their old age as they did in their youth. What needs to change, however, is the type of exercise elderly individuals engage in. 

Many seniors prefer walking as it does not put so much strain on the body, and they can do it on all types of treadmills. However, it’s important that they walk safely. One way to do this is by practicing walking every day, and what better means to do that but by owning a treadmill at home. There are also other important benefits that seniors will enjoy from walking every day.

1. Senior walking promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Being older should not stop anyone from living a healthy life. Seniors need to keep on moving and lead an active lifestyle. This helps keep their energy levels high and their immune system stronger. Exercise is also key to managing weight, which is a major concern for people struggling with diabetes and other age-related diseases.

2. Senior walking teaches balance.

The elderly is vulnerable to trips and falls. One reason they should exercise walking is to maintain their capacity to walk on their own and in a safe manner. This allows seniors to maintain mobility and independence in their lives for as long as they can. 

Walking on a treadmill regularly teaches balance control. One study found that a combined regimen of forward and backward walking on a treadmill helps improve postural stability, a trait that prevents accidental falls among the elderly population. 

3. Senior walking is good for joints.

Physical activity improves the flow of nutrients to the joints, helping seniors avoid joint problems. For those already suffering from joint-related issues such as osteoarthritis, walking is crucial in rebuilding the joints and take the pressure off them so they can carry their weight better.

What to Consider Before Choosing a Treadmill for Seniors

Because of the changing needs of seniors, there are certain important considerations to make. For buyers looking to find a treadmill for a senior, finding the right kind is directly linked to their health and safety. Here are some things to think about.

Is there an incline?

Most treadmills have either a manual or an automatic incline. Having this option allows users to add intensity to their workouts without extending their run time or changing their pace. As their energy levels wane, most seniors are probably not hyped to try strenuous exercises involving jogging or running. An incline is just what they need if they want to burn more calories or cut down their gym time.

Is there enough cushioning?

Treadmill cushioning helps reduce the impact of exercise on leg joints. Seniors, in particular, need a good cushion due to some loss of flexibility in their legs. Most of the time, the price of the treadmill is directly proportional to the quality of cushioning, so pricier models normally have thick cushions that make workouts smooth and comfortable.

Some brands have variable cushioning, which means that the area up front has greater flex than the back area and absorbs the impact better where it is needed. Other ways to add cushioning to an exercise regimen is by wearing the right shoes. A good pair should have arch support, a softly cushioned heel, and non-slip soles, especially when using a thinly cushioned treadmill.

Is it safe?

Right after cushioning, the next logical consideration is safety. A good treadmill needs to have the basic safety features such as an emergency stop key, on/off buttons on the hand rails, and emergency stop button, which can all be used to stop the treadmill instantly in case of a fall. It is also useful when a senior is feeling exhausted and wants to take a break. 

Another safety feature is the hand or arm rails. Seniors need something they can hold onto while walking on a treadmill. The best kinds are those with longer handrails.

Is the track big enough?

Larger treadmill belts are best for seniors as they give them enough space to move around. Taller people, in particular, should choose treadmills with a size between 20 and 22 inches wide. These larger treadmills tend to also have the weight capacity for a large person. 

For average-sized seniors, pick a track with a width of at least 18 inches. Twenty-inch belts are good enough for serious runners. Overall, the choice of track size depends on the size of the individual who will use it and his or her needs.

Is it sturdy enough?

One solid measure of durability is the treadmill’s weight capacity. A good rule of thumb when choosing a treadmill for a senior is to select one that is 50 pounds heavier than the intended user. Most treadmills have a weight capacity ranging from 200 to 400 pounds, with the latter usually being a heavy-duty pricier model. With a heavy-duty model, buyers can rest easy that the treadmill can carry all the weight they put on it. 

A List of the Best Treadmills for Senior Walking

ProForm 505 CST Treadmill

This is a very formidable treadmill. It sits on a bulky frame that is reinforced in all the right places. In terms of suspension, 505 CST packs a decent offering that comes in form of their ProShox cushioning. It’s a proven system that does a lot towards eliminating or at least minimizing any strain on your joints.

• Space Saver design; folds vertically for storage
• Weight Capacity: 325 pounds
• ProShox Cushioning
• iPod Compatible Audio
• Quick Incline 0-10%
• Limited Warranty
• 70 by 34 by 59.5 inches (L x W x H)
• 2.5 CHP Mach Z Commercial Motor
• Large LCD Window
• 18 Built-In Workouts
• 20-inch x 55-inch Tread Belt
• a roomy deck
• extra elbowroom
• Folding
• Compatible Music Port for iPod
• ProShox Cushioning - longer workout and faster recovery time
• EKG Heart Rate Monitor - two hand-grip sensors are conveniently built in to the handlebars

Features Customers Like

Pros
• ProShox cushioning throughout running surface
• Easy to use console
• Folds for storage
• 325 lb weight capacity
• Warranty: lifetime frame; 25-year motor; 1-year parts and labor
• Great price
• Grip heart rate monitor
• Good running surface and well cushioned

Features Customers Don’t Like
• Can be time-consuming to assemble
• Not very quiet

NordicTrack T6.5 S Treadmill

The NordicTrack T6.5 S has a lot in common with the Proform 505 CST. Both treadmills have easy to use consoles. Both treadmills fold.

• Get the training you want with 20 built-in workouts designed by a certified personal trainer to help you achieve your fitness goals
• Go to ifit.com/activate to redeem your one month iFit membership
• Digitally adjust your incline up to 10 percent to add intensity to your workout and target specific muscle groups

One of the reasons we selected this treadmill was because of its incline feature (0 to 10 percent). For seniors who may desire an increased challenge, the incline will add an extra level of difficulty.

• 300 pounds User Weight Capacity
• 20"x55" tread belt
• FlexSelect™ Cushioning

The cushioning allows you to engage dampeners to soften the impact on your joints or simulate a real road-running experience with a single turn.

• 5” Backlit iFit Display
• 0-10% LIVE Incline Control
• 0-10 MPH LIVE Speed Control

This treadmill also offers the one button selections for speed and incline.

The T6.5 S offers 20 different workout programs. If you are looking for a treadmill with plenty of workouts, this would be a good choice. It also has a power incline up to 10% which should be more than enough to get those legs burning.

Pros
• Adjustable FlexSelect cushioning system
• Easy to use console
• Large display screen
• 20 different programmed workouts
• Hand grip heart rate monitor
• 300 lb max weight capacity
• Warranty: lifetime frame; 25-year motor; 1-year parts and labor
• Feels very solid and comfortable
• Reasonably quiet
• Very large running belt

Cons
• Small Monochromatic Screen
• huge and heavy

Exerpeutic TF1000 Electric Treadmill

Exerpeutic’s TF1000 is quite similar to our previous pick although considerably cheaper. This is another treadmill that’s designed primarily for walking. With a 1.5 HP motor, you are likely to achieve a decent jog but not much more than that. The belt is a short unit but it is 20″ wide. From that standpoint you have nothing to worry about. 

• Electric walking treadmill with 1.5-horsepower high-torque motor
• Adjustable speed up to 4 miles per hour in 0.1 mph increments
• 20-inch-wide treadmill belt; extra-long 18-inch safety handles
• LCD display monitors time, distance, calories burned, speed, and pulse
• Supports up to 400 pounds; folding frame
• Wider Treadmill Belt: 40" L x 20" W
• Extra Long Safety Handles
• Heart Pulse Pads/Speed Control Buttons
• 2 Manual Incline Position

There are no programmed workouts or power incline. The console consists of a small display screen that will show time, distance, speed, calories, and heart rate (yes, it does have a grip heart rate monitor). This is great if you are looking for an easy to use treadmill with no fancy features.

This treadmill does have a safety key for emergency stopping. That might actually be required on all electric treadmills.

Pros
• If you are a larger person, the 400-pound capacity enables you to use the machine without fear of damage.
• The treadmill comes already assembled—there is no requirement to search for screwdrivers and tools.
• Speed can be adjusted by buttons on the handrails—you do not have to release your grip at any time.
• The belt speed can be altered in 0.1 mile per hour increments, allowing you to choose your ideal rate.

Cons
• The 1.5 horsepower motor could be insufficient for more active seniors.
• With a length of 40 inches, the belt may prove too short for people with long legs.

Unlike outdoor walking, treadmill fitness walking has the benefits of shock absorption and the convenience of exercising in your own home, in front of a TV or just listening to your favorite music.

Thanks for subscribing to Echofavor
Loading...
  

Copyright © Echofavor 2021. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Echofavor
Copyright © Echofavor 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Echofavor