[2023 Updated] 12 Best Elliptical Machines For Seniors

An elliptical is a terrific option if you’re a senior who wants to start exercising. Many seniors put off beginning an exercise program if they haven’t done so in years because they are still determining where to start and believe that most exercise machines aren’t designed for them.

Run? It’s unlikely. For some elders, even brisk walking can be difficult. Swimming is typically recommended as the most significant type of low-impact exercise for seniors. Still, if you don’t like the water or don’t want to clean up after swimming, you may be looking for an alternative.

Elliptical training may be the solution. An elliptical machine is an excellent choice for many older people because it has many benefits.

Let’s take a peek at what they’re all about.

They don’t have any effect on the environment.

Elliptical Machine by a Senior Male

The fact that an elliptical trainer is non-impact is the first reason why every senior should consider one. Your back, knees, and ankles will all be protected as a result.

If you’re in your later years and have arthritis or osteoporosis, you’ll need something as gentle on your joints as possible. The elliptical machine is ideal for this. You’ll get the same benefits from this machine as from swimming because it’s non-impact.

If most forms of exercise leave you in too much pain to continue, the elliptical is a great option. The workout equipment may make a difference.

They’re Quite Simple To Use

Another significant advantage of the elliptical is how simple it is to use. While it may take a day or two to get used to the elliptical’s movement, you’ll be a pro in a week.

Because the elliptical is designed to simulate natural activities like walking, jogging, and stair climbing, we’ve all done them before. As a result, finishing these workout sessions should be a breeze once you get an idea of how the exercise machine works.

They Activate Both The Upper And Lower Bodies.

Following that, we can train the entire body in a single session. As a form of exercise, walking is often suggested to seniors. However, it only works the lower body and not the upper body, which is a big drawback.

This is a big worry because, as you age, if you don’t use your muscles often, they’ll weaken and break down, significantly affecting your quality of life. If your muscles weaken to the point where you can’t do daily tasks because you don’t have enough strength, you will have to depend on other people.

This can be avoided by doing things that make all the muscles in the body stronger.

Those currently doing strength training may not need to worry about this because it will create muscle in the right places, but everyone else should think about it. The elliptical is much better than other cardio machines like the bike or treadmill.

They can be adjusted.

On opposite sides of the ellipse, a man and a woman stand.

Another advantage of the elliptical machine is that it can be adjusted. Do you want to avoid going up such a steep incline? It’s no problem. By lowering the elevation, you can make the movement pattern flatter.

You can even pedal backwards if that is a more relaxing activity for you. It’s crucial for older exercisers to feel comfortable with whatever workout session they’re undertaking.

Seniors do not have the same recovery availability as people in their 30s and 40s, so if the exercise is awkward or requires too much energy to manage, let alone work at a reasonable intensity level, recovery time will be slow, limiting how often that individual can do the exercise throughout the week.

Furthermore, suppose the exercise in question does not feel natural to them. In that case, there is a higher likelihood that they may experience muscular soreness after the workout, which is a significant contributing cause to them abandoning their exercise routine.

While some muscle soreness is expected and can indicate that you are doing something properly since you are making progress, being so sore that you can barely move is enough to deter any senior from trying again.

The less adjustable a workout is, the less likely this will happen.

They help seniors by strengthening key muscles.

Another significant advantage and reason seniors consider utilizing an elliptical trainer is that it strengthens essential muscle areas in the body that seniors need to use daily.

It will strengthen the quadriceps and hamstrings, allowing you to easily climb a flight of steps and stand up from a chair.

It will help you build the back muscles you need to open doors, cabinets, and other things you must drag towards your body. It will strengthen the arms (biceps and triceps), which are essential for everyday tasks like putting away groceries or cleaning the house, and the core, which is necessary for keeping the body upright and in good posture.

Swimming is one of the few types of exercise that works out a lot of different muscle groups at the same time. Using an elliptical trainer, you can rest assured that you’re working all of your body’s essential muscles and doing everything correctly.

They’re a lot of fun to use.

Workout boredom affects everyone, whether young or old, at some point in their lives. It would help if you kept your workout program fun and exciting; otherwise, you might lose interest and stop doing it altogether.

Fortunately, the elliptical machine can assist you with this. Most individuals will agree that using the elliptical is a lot of fun, so they will keep coming back for more. It’s a movement pattern you only sometimes find yourself doing, so it’s more exciting than walking or riding.

Also, because the machine can be changed and adjusted differently, you can make the training more interesting by giving it more variety.

Elliptical machines also have a variety of programs to pick from that modify the exercise intensity and pace as needed, allowing you to work out at a comfortable level.

They Assist with Weight Management

An older woman in blue is using an elliptical machine to exercise.

One essential advantage of the elliptical for seniors is that it can help with body weight control. Weight gain is a common occurrence as people age.

This is due to a combination of factors. First, you aren’t as active as you once were, and second, if you start to lose lean muscle tissue, this might lead to a slower metabolic rate, which means you burn fewer calories each day.

You will undoubtedly gain weight if you do not eat less to control this.

The elliptical trainer can help you burn calories as you exercise. Exercising at a moderate intensity level can also help you gain muscle and increase your daily calorie burn indefinitely. This bodes well for regulating your body weight in the years ahead.

Obesity is linked to diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Therefore, it’s something you should try to avoid.

They’re Beneficial for Maintaining Balance

Finally, seniors should consider using an elliptical trainer because they are great for maintaining balance. As people get older, they tend to lose their balance. An elliptical machine can help you keep your balance and lower your fall risk.

Falls are one of the seniors’ most common causes of broken hips, which can have serious health consequences. While you won’t fall if you hold on to the handlebars and exercise in a way that doesn’t make you dizzy, the elliptical will help you improve your balance and agility because you’ll be changing your weight frequently.

As a result, this has a lot of applications in terms of your general lifestyle and well-being.

As you can see, the elliptical trainer is an excellent exercise for senior citizens. If you’ve never tried it before, now is a good time to do so and experience what it has to offer. It’s always possible to start making positive changes in your life.