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Top Exercise Videos & Equipment for Seniors

When it comes to getting older, maintaining strength and mobility can be one of seniors’ biggest concerns. It’s important to incorporate daily activities into your routine that encourage fitness, such as a prepared stretching routine, or keep exercise equipment handy for more spontaneous activities.

The Benefits of Exercise for Seniors

Depending on the type of fitness you want to improve, there are a variety of tools you can use. Guided videos are great if you’re curious about a specific exercise, or are already experienced and are looking for motivation and encouragement. There are pieces of equipment that are easy to use at home, such as seated machines, stationary machines, resistance bands, and other portable tools that are easy to keep around the house.

Studies show that while walking is an excellent way to maintain overall mood and is certainly not a negative addition to a healthy lifestyle, it does not provide adequate cardiovascular action or muscle resistance to create real and lasting fitness results. Also, studies show that cognitive health is improved best by cardiovascular activity that gets and keeps the blood pumping.  However, you don’t need to go to the gym constantly to break a sweat and achieve lasting health improvements, and research notes that even moderate exercise increases metabolic functions within the brain, possibly improving cognition.

A seated elliptical or biking machine, for instance, is a great way to break a sweat while staying home, and is easy on the joints. A rowing machine is another great idea for those that want to maintain muscle structure without putting too much strain on joints and the back. Resistance bands and hand grip devices are also easy tools that don’t cost much and work anywhere.

Read on for our list of the best exercise videos and equipment for seniors to see some options that can help you improve your overall health from the comfort of your own home or office.

Top Exercise Videos & Equipment for Seniors

Best Exercise Videos

1. Balance & Strength Exercises for Seniors: 9 Practices

Balance and Strength exercise video

Price: See Amazon for Latest Price

Description:

Out of over 750 customer reviews, this DVD has earned a full 5-star rating, and Amazon editors have named it a top choice in senior exercise videos. Follow Jane Adams as she walks you through a wide variety of gentle exercises for those with and without mobility issues.

Key Features:

  • 198 minutes playtime
  • Short tutorial for each of the eight Tai Chi forms used in the video
  • Exercises include sitting, standing, strength, flexibility, and balance improvement
  • Taught in mirror image with clear instructions

2. Tai Chi Fit OVER 50 & TO GO with David-Dorian Ross and Beginner DVDs for Balance and Stability

Tai Chi Fit exercise dvd image

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Description:

These highly-rated DVDs are now available in a money-saving value pack, perfect for those who get bored with the same routine every day. Instructor David Dorian-Ross joins his elder friends in relaxing practice in the park. Clear instructions and guided movements make this routine easy to follow along with at home.

Key Features:

  • Two DVDs- Tai Chi Fit To Go and Tai Chi Fit Over 50
  • Tai Chi is combined with gentle QiGong for the perfect workout for elders
  • Low impact exercise
  • Routines are great for any age

3. Sit & Be Fit: Diabetes & Balance Workouts

image of Sit and be Fit exercise equipment

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Description:

The Sit & Be Fit Workouts were created by a Registered Nurse, Mary Ann Wilson. They have been designed to specifically target seniors living with poor circulation, diabetes, and balance issues. The entire workout is 81 minutes in length and comes in a set of 2 DVDs. The Sit & Be Fit Workouts collection has been nominated for several awards.

Key Features:

  • Three complete workouts
  • 81 minutes run time
  • Great routine for diabetics and those with circulation issues
  • Designed by a registered nurse
  • Exercises designed to improve balance, muscle tone, breathing, and more

4. A New Way 2 Move Senior Exercise DVD System

A New Way to Move Senior Exercise DVD series

Price: See Amazon for Latest Price

Description:

If you’re looking to revamp your fitness are and routine, this is the product for you. With its library of DVDs, fitness cards, and resistance bands, this system is great for the at-home fitness enthusiast, a senior center, or anyone that wants to include more structure into their workout routine.

Key Features:

  • Five senior exercise DVDs- seated, vitality, strength, balance, and wellness
  • Posters for exercise areas include daily routine and meal guide
  • Balance card included with different exercises for additional guidance
  • Resistance band included

Water Exercise Equipment

5. Trademark Innovations Aquatic Exercise Dumbells

Trademark Innovations exercise equipment

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Description:

While exercising in a pool, another great tool to use to help you stay floating upright as well as increase the level of exercise you’re getting with added weight, is an underwater barbell, or swim bar.

Key Features:

  • Lightweight EVA foam provides the right amount of resistance
  • Three colors to choose from
  • Each weight measures11″ long x 6″ wide and weighs .66lbs.

6. 2 Water Workouts HIIT Aquatic Cardio & Noodle Abdominals (AUDIO CD)

WeCoach exercise dvd image

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Description:

These audio CDs are perfect for guided water aerobics without hiring a costly trainer. This program is designed to help you achieve goals in your cardiovascular strength as well as overall muscle tone. With easy to follow instructions and included cue cards, it’s simple to get a great work out with minimal equipment in a low-impact pool setting.

Key Features:

  • Two workouts on one CD- 15 minutes Noodle Abs and 45 minutes HIIT cardio workout
  • Visual aide card to help you perfect your form
  • Water aerobics is a great low-impact cardio exercise for all skill levels of swimming

7. WaterGym Water Aerobics Float Belt for Aqua Jogging

WaterGym exercise equipment

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Description:

Aquatic aerobics is a great low-intensity workout for seniors with a pool, and these workout belts are the perfect combination of flotation device and exercise aide to make your routine safe and fun. Available in small/medium and medium/large sizes, reviews state that these belts are built for comfort, with a soft foam waist and elastic straps for the right fit for any swimmer.

Key Features:

  • Two sizes available, for waists measuring 26”-36”, and 32”-50”
  • Elastic waistband keeps flotation pads in place securely without pinching your waist
  • Tapered waist keeps pads from digging into the small of your back while swimming

8. Aqua Sphere Ergobells (2-Pack)

Aqua Sphere exercise equipment

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Description:

A more ergonomic version of the classic swimming barbells, the Aqua Sphere Ergobells work great for those that want to participate in aquatic aerobics activities but have a hard time grasping the barbells. These soft, flexible foam tools feel great in the hand and can be gripped in a variety of ways perfect for people with arthritis and other painful joint issues.

Key Features:

  • Soft, flexible foam is comfortable in your hands and can be held many different ways
  • Flat holding surfaces make gliding through water easy
  • Bright color orange makes these easy to find when dropped in the pool
  • Minimal resistance provides a basic workout, perfect for beginners

Best Seated Exercise Machines

9. Vive Desk Cycle

Vive exercise equipment

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Description:

This low-budget, super convenient option is great for improving your fitness at home or the office. A large LCD screen displays RPM, time, speed, distance and calories burned while you exercise. This machine folds up easily to store away and is very lightweight at only 7.6 pounds.

Key Features:

  • Easy to assemble and fold up for travel
  • Tension adjusts easily with a twisting knob for a custom workout
  • Folds for easy storage
  • Available in grey or turquoise blue

10. Vive Pedal Exerciser

Vive exercise equipment

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Description:

The smaller design of this mini stationary bike makes it a great tool to take with you throughout the house and use throughout the day. Exercise has been shown to increase focus and concentration, so working out in front of a good puzzle or at work could increase your productivity as well as your health.

Key Features:

  • Sitting recumbent exercise machine
  • Simple assembly
  • Compact 12.5” high design can be used on the floor, under a table, or on a tabletop
  • One-touch multi-program display shows speed, calories burned, time, and more
  • Perfect for use after surgery or for maintaining health in a sedentary lifestyle

11. DMI Lightweight Mini Pedal Exerciser Leg and Arm Peddler

 

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Description:

This simple yet sturdy mini-bicycle exerciser is perfect for those that want an exercise machine they can move around the house. This one is perfect for both on the floor, or on the table being used to exercise your arms. This lightweight tool folds up for painless storage, too.

Key Features:

  • Easily adjustable resistance for varying levels of exercise
  • Lightweight design makes it easy to move this around to where you want to sit
  • Stainless steel frame is extra durable
  • Folds up for quick storage
  • Rubber feet ensure this device stays in place and doesn’t scratch your floor or table

12. North American Health & Wellness Sitting Stepper

North American Healthy & Wellness exercise equipment

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Description:

This foldable, highly portable stepping machine is perfect for those with circulation issues that need to keep their legs in motion, even though they may also need to be sitting for extended periods of time. The raised balls on the footpads help increase blood flow throughout the feet, and the gentle stepping motion may not provide much exercise, but is perfect for keeping the legs active during resting periods.

Key Features:

  • Portable and folds easily for storage
  • Raised balls and textured footpads help improve circulation
  • Weighs less than one pound
  • Gentle rocking motion improves circulation, helping prevent cramps and blood clots

13. LegActivator 

Leg Activator exercise equipment

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Description:

Ergo-Therapy is the use of exercise to treat a disease, and this device was created with the intention of helping longtime sufferers of diseases that make the joints swell up painfully, such as diabetes. Simply rest your feet on this handy tool and it will gently exercise your legs while you relax, helping keep you safe from cellulitis, atrophy, and blood clots, despite mobility limitations.

Key Features:

  • Silent motor doesn’t disturb your daily activities while in use
  • Dual speed settings
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Plugs into 110w wall outlet

14. ANCHEER Desk Elliptical Machine

ANCHEER exercise equipment

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Description:

If improving your fitness is the goal, this machine is here to help with an intuitive planning system that helps you log your workouts and plan small increases to the intensity of your workouts. The whisper-quiet machine is also super lightweight, easy to move around, and requires no assembly.

Key Features:

  • Quiet operation
  • Lightweight for portability
  • Large textured pedals provide a relaxing massage while you work out
  • LED screen shows exercise data
  • Works with power to help you work out harder, or without power

15. EFITMENT Magnetic Rowing Machine

EFITMENT exercise equipment

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Description:

This top-of-the-line space-saving home exercise equipment is perfect for someone who wants the full-body workout of a biking routine, without having to leave their house. Featuring a digital monitor that can easily be set to scan through all your personal workout data, the monitor displays how long you’ve exercised, RPMs calories burned, and how far you’ve pedaled, to help you achieve your fitness goals.

Key Features:

  • 250-pound capacity
  • Digital monitor keeps track of time, count, RPM, calories burned, and distance
  • Magnetic tension bar is easy to adjust to 8 different speeds for a custom workout
  • Stores upright when not in use to save space

16. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B0418 Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike

Sunny Health & Fitness exercise equipment

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Description:

The Sunny Health & Fitness mini-bike is perfect if you want to cycle but don’t want to get in and out of a bike, or don’t have the room for larger equipment. This lightweight exercise device is also able to work as an arm machine- simply place it on your desk and grab the pedals to get moving.

Key Features:

  • Safety straps on pedals
  • Eight tension levels for varying levels of fitness
  • Easy to read LCD monitor displays time worked, speed, distance, and calories
  • 220 pounds maximum user weight
  • Compact, space-saving design

17. Chair Gym – The Total Body Workout

Chair Gym exercise equipment

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Description:

For a full-body workout without leaving your seat, try the Chair Gym. It features resistance bands and sturdy construction to help you remain firmly in place while stretching your muscles. This home gym is a full system, including instructional DVDs, a meal plan, and a twister seat addition if you want to add abdominal muscle exercises to your routine.

Key Features:

  • Padded seat and backrest for maximum comfort
  • Over 50 exercises possible while seated in this chair
  • Included swivel seat increases your flexibility routine if desired
  • Supports up to 350 pounds
  • 3 resistance bands of different levels and 5 DVDs included

18. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Bike

Sunny Health & Fitness exercise equipment

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Description:

This moderately-priced exercise bike is perfect for those who want to get in shape and maintain their fitness levels but have a hard time standing for long periods of time in other exercises, or have other mobility issues. The wide seat and sturdy frame are suitable for elders of all sizes, and it is easy to make sure you’re always exercising within a healthy range for you with the built-in pulse monitors in the handgrips.

Key Features:

  • Supports up to 300 pounds safely
  • Pulse monitor on hand grips
  • Large cushioned seat
  • Easily adjustable knob lets you control the resistance
  • Seat adjusts with simple to use lever on the side of the seat

19. IVIM Thigh Toner

IVIM exercise equipment

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Description:

The beloved ThighMaster continues to be manufactured by various companies, and this affordable model is available with quick shipping and in six stylish color choices. Simply sit with this tool between your thighs and squeeze to achieve shapely legs and a nice workout while enjoying your time seated.

Key Features:

  • Includes bonus comfortable ankle socks
  • Comes in six cool colors
  • Handles are covered in soft slip-resistant foam
  • Perfect for exercising while relaxing in front of the tv or at a crossword puzzle

Best Handheld Exercise Equipment

20. SportMonster Fitness Master Hand Grip Strengthener

SportMonster exercise equipment

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Description:

Designed for those who want to maintain their existing hand strength, this grip easily adjusts from 30 pounds of resistance to up to 145 pounds with a turn of the dial. The stainless steel spring provides lasting use but is quiet so you can use it anywhere without bothering anyone.

Key Features:

  • Resistance adjusts from 30-145 pounds
  • Easy turn dial
  • Extra-strength stainless steel spring for long-term use
  • Comfortable non-slip grip
  • Whisper quiet while using

21. Hand Grip Strength Trainer Kit with 2 Hand Therapy Balls

Fitness Insanity exercise equipment

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Description:

This handgrip is highly reviewed by sufferers of arthritis and other joint issues for being so painless to use, making it ideal for people with stiff hands that want a gentle exercise. The tension of the spring easily adjusts from 22 to 88 pounds with the easy-to-turn dial. This set includes a waterproof carrying case as well as two bonus hand grip balls.

Key Features:

  • Provides 22 to 88 pounds of resistance
  • Includes two hand exercise balls
  • Non-slip rubber grip
  • Great for therapy or increasing hand strength

22. Healthy Seniors Chair Exercise Program with Two Resistance Bands

Healthy Seniors exercise equipment

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Description:

This set of resistance bands includes a fun illustrated exercise book designed to help elders increase their strength and muscle endurance. Reviewers rave about how much their older loved ones appreciate the well-planned guides and benefit from the gentle stretching exercises.

Key Features:

  • 18 page printed exercise guide and online video library access
  • Lightweight and medium-weight resistance bands included
  • Enclosed bands are great for stretching, yoga, pilates, and more
  • Chair exercises are effective for strength, coordination, improved sleep, and more

23. SIMIEN Flexible Rubber Twist Bar

SIMIEN exercise equipment

 

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Description:

This alternative to the standard resistance bands is easy for those with muscle weakness to hold and is very helpful in maintaining good form during stretching exercises. There are three resistance levels available, for those of all levels of strength. This lightweight tool helps increase strength in your hand muscles as well as your range of motion.

Key Features:

  • Wide variety of exercises to choose from for strength training, and flexibility
  • Three insertable weights for a custom workout
  • Increases flexibility and strengthens forearm muscles
  • Comprehensive exercise e-book included

24. Pykal 3x Hand and Finger Strengtheners

Pykal exercise equipment

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Description:

The modern design of these hand strength trainers contributes to their ultimate flexibility. Seniors have plenty of choice in how they use this tool- those who struggle with grasping a bar or ball will be able to determine the most comfortable way for them to stretch their fingers. This device also creates a fun toy for those who love to fidget, and simply playing with the toy will increase flexibility in the joints of your hand and wrists.

Key Features:

  • Three strengtheners included of varied sizes
  • Bright colors and modern design makes this tool fun to use
  • 15 video exercises included
  • Non-slip and ergonomic for those of all strength levels