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A recent study on 1002 adults shows, walking daily for 30 to 45 minutes, 5 days a week, had 43% fewer sick days.
So, if you want to stay healthy even in your old days, there’s no alternative to walking. In today’s world, it’s tough to find a place where you can walk properly. Besides, most seniors are not comfortable going to the gym.
In this situation, a treadmill can be your best solution. It enables you to take a walk with comfort inside your home.
But finding the best treadmill for senior walking can be challenging as there are tons of options available.
So, we’ve done in-depth research and narrowed down the list to 11. Here we’ve reviewed the 11 best treadmills for walking for seniors with some tips to help you choose the best one.
Let’s begin.
Advantages of Using Treadmill
Treadmills come up with many cardiorespiratory health benefits, especially for seniors. That’s because they’re susceptible to greater health risks than younger people.
As a senior person, you’ll enjoy a lot of advantages of using a treadmill, including:
Top 4 significant benefits of using treadmill for walking:
1. Improvement of your heart health:
One of the biggest health benefits of walking on a treadmill is an improvement of your heart health.
A study found that walking at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can reduce the risk of having coronary heart disease by 19%.
2. Lose weight effectively:
Senior people with obesity are more likely to have serious health problems. Such problems include diabetes, stroke, heart problems, and even different types of cancers.
25 studies with over two million people showed that obesity can increase the risk of stroke by 64%.
Walking on a treadmill daily can help you lose weight effectively.
3. Protect your joints to a greater extent:
As you get older, the joints of your knees and hips get weaker. This can cause severe pain and make you less productive.
Heavy exercise in this situation will increase the problem only. But light exercise like walking on a treadmill can help protect your joints to a greater extent.
4. Beneficial for mental health:
Walking is also beneficial for mental health. Many studies show that walking can help you reduce depression, anxiety, and bad mood. You may have a 30 minutes of quick walk or divide it into three sessions daily.
In a nutshell, treadmills are one of the best options to keep fit health for seniors.
Treadmill for Seniors – Difference from Others:
Most people don’t know that treadmills for senior walking are different from any other usual treadmills. Such treadmills are made with keeping in mind the safety of the seniors.
Generally, these treadmills have high-quality cushioning. It helps elders to walk without putting pressure on joints.
Then the handrails are also slightly lengthier than the normal ones. It reduces the chance of accidents while walking fast.
In short, treadmills for seniors offer more safety features than any average treadmills in the market.
Why Do Seniors Need a Different Type of Treadmill?
Different types of treadmill for seniors: younger vs seniors
The most obvious reason why seniors need a different type of treadmill is their physical ability. Elders have less energy and power compared to younger people. Therefore, they’re not capable of doing vigorous tasks.
Besides, the chance of accidents is also high for the seniors. A simple mistake can cause serious problems. In the case of younger people, they can handle complex functions, and the opposite applies to seniors.
That’s why senior people require extra care. They need a treadmill that can provide smoother performance with maximum safety features.
11 Best Treadmill For Senior Walking
You’ll find a myriad of treadmills for seniors in the market. But not all of them provide superior performance. Below, we have reviewed the best treadmill for seniors that won’t pressure your joints and come with maximum safety features.
1. ProGear 190 Manual Treadmill with Twin Flywheels
The ProGear 190 is a manual treadmill with excellent performance. Usually, manual treadmills come inexpensive; hence use cheap materials. But that’s not the case with the ProGear 190.
The treadmill comes with long handrails with high-quality foam providing a good hand grip. It helps to avoid loss of balance for senior walkers.
Also, the wide side rails of ProGear 190 help you keep your balance. While walking, you can check how many calories you have burnt on the LCD Display.
It has 2 incline levels, including 6 and 10 degrees. You can adjust it with your comfort level. ProGear 190 requires assembling, but that’s minimal.
The good thing is it’s foldable and comes with transportation wheels. So, even a senior person can move it easily.
Pros
- Handrails are long enough to provide comfort to any senior.
- Compact design makes it fit any space in your home.
- The assembling process is straightforward, and any older person can do it too.
- Anyone can afford the treadmill as it comes at a low price.
Cons
- Often the inclines provide inconsistent performance.
- The noise could be less.
2. EFITMENT Adjustable Incline Magnetic Manual Treadmill
Efitment is another manual treadmill on the list. What makes it different from the previous one is its adjustable tension handlebars. While walking, you can hold the bars, and they will swing naturally.
Besides, it has three levels of incline, including 7,8 & 9. A digital LCD display will be continuously showing your speed, time, calories burnt, and your heart rate. If you have a heart problem, monitoring the rate will be helpful.
Everything seems perfect, but worried about where to place it? With its compact design, you can put it in any corner of the home.
When you finish walking, fold it easily and store it anywhere you want. Overall, it’s quite a good treadmill for 60 year old and above.
Pros
- Adjustable belt resistance to having comfortable walking for seniors.
- Tension handlebars allow you to do arm exercises while walking.
- Transportation wheels make it easier to move around for anyone.
- The multifunction digital display helps to track progress and motivate us to continue.
Cons
- Assembling instructions could be explained better in the instructions guide.
- Handrails are placed in low height, which makes it great for short people but not too good for tall seniors.
3. Exerpeutic 100XL Manual Treadmill
Most manual treadmills come with a weight capacity of only 220 pounds. So, if you weigh more than that, finding a good treadmill may seem tricky. Not anymore, because Exerpeutic 100XL allows people to weigh up to 325 pounds.
Besides, the handrails are pretty long, too, just like the seniors need for safety. The Exerpeutic 100XL has three incline options, including 8, 10, and 15 degrees.
It includes a pacer control that comes with 8 levels of magnetic tension to adjust the difficulty level.
It also has a twin flywheel instead of a single, which allows you to provide smoother performance. Overall, it’s one of the best manual treadmills for walking seniors.
Pros
- A wide surface area gives a comfortable treadmill walking experience.
- Long handrails provide safety benefits to seniors.
- A heart pulse monitor allows you to maintain the target heart rate.
- It is made of good materials, which makes it highly durable.
Cons
- The noises during walking may seem annoying to some people.
- The belt seems to move to the side sometimes, but you’ll find the instructions on the manufacturer’s guide on how to fix the problem.
4. XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill
XTERRA Fitness TR150 is an entry-level electrical treadmill. It runs on a 2.25HP motor and allows a speed range of 0.5 mph to 10 mph. Hence, you also can jog and run besides walking.
If you are worried that jogging and running may be painful on that hard surface, that will not be a problem here. That’s because XTERRA Fitness TR150 comes with a soft cushioning on the surface.
Besides, the surface is also large enough with 50 inches in length and 16 inches in width. Moreover, 5 inches LCD control and direct speed key add extra value to the treadmill.
If you’re looking for an electrical treadmill on a budget, this can be your best choice.
Pros
- Easy assemble process that even one person can do within an hour.
- Value for money treadmill.
- Steel frame and sturdy plastic make it pretty durable.
- If you face any problem, customer support responds fast.
Cons
- Transportation wheel positioning could be better.
- When using at high speed, it makes noises.
5. Sunny Health & Fitness T7643 Heavy Duty Walking Treadmill
Sunny Health & Fitness is a well-known brand for producing high-quality fitness products. Their T7653 heavy-duty treadmill is just another example of it.
The walking treadmill can carry persons weighing up to 350 pounds. It makes this one excellent choice for heavy people looking to lose some weight.
The Sunny Health & Fitness T7643 has a speed range of 1 to 6 mph. It makes this sturdy equipment excellent for walking, but if you’re looking forward to running, this is not for you.
However, it has bottle holders to help you keep drinking water and stay hydrated. You also can use the tablet holder to watch videos on your phone or tablet during the walk.
Pros
- Includes an emergency stop button as safety measurements for seniors.
- Simple control buttons, easy to understand for everyone.
- The walking surface is wide enough for fat and tall persons.
- Durability is pretty good with the sturdy materials.
Cons
- Packaging is a little heavy for seniors and will need an extra pair of hands for assembling.
- It comes with a fixed incline level.
6. Sunny Health & Fitness Walking Treadmill, SF-T7857
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7857 can be a perfect choice for any seniors afraid of losing balance. That’s because it comes with extended handrails that go all the way down from the up in upside down ‘L’ shape.
Unlike other treadmills, it offers a low deck. This means you just have to step up a bit, and you’re ready to walk. While walking, a digital monitor will show calories burnt, distance covered, time, speed, and mode.
You can walk at a speed of 0.5 mph to 5mph. If you’re looking for a safe option from Sunny Health & Fitness and don’t weigh more than 295 pounds, we recommend you to go with this one over the previous one.
Pros
- Have a shock absorption system to reduce stress on your joints.
- Long handrails add extra safety for very old persons.
- Includes a safety clip you can attach to cloth, so if you slide far back or fall to the ground, the machine stops instantly.
- Steel construction for better durability.
Cons
- The length of the deck may not suit taller people.
- No incline option available.
7. EXERPEUTIC TF2000 Recovery Fitness Walking Treadmill
TF2000 walking treadmill from Exerpeutic is specially made for seniors walking. It starts with a very low walking speed of 0.2mph. So, if you have just come back from the hospital and are in your recovery period, then this can be an excellent choice for you.
The treadmill also has a 10 level shock absorption deck cushioning. So, you can have a more comfortable walking experience. Additionally, the 1.5 HP motor doesn’t make much sound to annoy you.
Both a safety key and an emergency button are available. If you feel trouble leveling treadmills on your floor, it has 4 adjustable stabilizers to help you with that.
Pros
- 49 inches full-length handrails attached to the deck ensure safety for seniors.
- The LED-backlit display offers excellent visibility.
- High-quality cushioning to reduce pressure on your joints.
- Instead of filling up with fancy features, it includes only what’s necessary.
Cons
- Although it has two accessory holders, it doesn’t include any phone holders.
- Folding option is not available.
8. Horizon Fitness T101 Bluetooth Enabled Folding Treadmill
Horizon Fitness T101 treadmill comes with some amazing features for everyone. It has Bluetooth connectivity with a device holder. So, you can watch videos or read kindle while walking.
Besides, it has a 3-zone variable response cushioning system, which will give you a long comfortable walking experience.
You can walk at a speed of 0.5 mph to 10 mph. It has a 2.5 HP motor, which runs on low RPMs to reduce the noise level.
If you love to consume media while walking, this can be a perfect choice for you.
Pros
- It has 10 incline options ranging from 1 to 10, which gives you more control over the difficulty.
- It doesn’t produce annoying sounds like other treadmills while walking.
- Have a rapid charging facility, so your device never gets out of charge during exercise.
- Soft cushioning for having a comfortable walk with weak joints.
Cons
- The handrails may seem short to some seniors.
- The quality of the built-in Bluetooth speaker isn’t that great.
9. Exerpeutic TF1000 Electric Treadmill
Walking on the treadmill regularly is an excellent way to burn fats. But for fat, heavy, and tall people, there aren’t many options available in the market. Few of the treadmills in the list allow a little over 300 pounds, but not more than that.
But the Exerpeutic TF1000 allows people with a maximum weight of 400 pounds. This one is the only treadmill in this list that allows this much weight.
It runs on a 1.5HP motor and allows you to walk at a maximum 4 mph. Besides, the Exerpeutic TF1000 has 2 incline options. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for seniors with heavy weight.
Pros
- Have long handrails for the safety of the seniors.
- Speed increments at 0.1 mph, which gives you more control over your speed.
- A wide belt allows big size guys to walk comfortably.
- Easy to fold and transport.
Cons
- Though the manufacturer claims it to be virtually assembled out of the box, in reality, it’s not.
- The belt may often need to be adjusted.
10. Sunny Health & Fitness No Assembly Running Treadmill, SF-T7718
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of assembling the treadmill, Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7718 can be a perfect choice.
It comes pre-assembled out of the box. All you need to do is unfold and plugin. SF-T7718 is a lightweight treadmill and easy to move around. Besides, its compact design allows it to fit in any space.
You can walk and run at a maximum speed of 9 mph with its 2.5 HP motor. However, the maximum weight limit is only 250 pounds. It can be the best fold up treadmill for seniors you ever used.
Pros
- No assembling is required.
- Besides walking, you also can use it for running.
- Slip-resistant handrails for safety.
- Excellent portability with lightweight design and transportation wheel.
- Responsive customer support team.
Cons
- It doesn’t have any incline option.
- You can’t track your heart rate while walking, as the pulse sensor is placed on the side of the display.
11. NordicTrack T Series 6.5 Si Treadmill
NordicTrack is a renowned brand for producing premium quality treadmills. Though they come expensive, considering the features you get, the price is okay.
It has a large 10 inches touchscreen display with interactive coaching. Keep in mind; you need to purchase an iFit subscription for the personalized training.
The maximum incline is 10%, and the maximum speed is also 10 mph. Besides, it has a 300 pounds weight limit, which is enough for most people.
Tip: When the display turns on for the first time, it will ask you to subscribe to iFit for activating the machine. But that’s not necessary. Press and hold down the iFit logo for 30 seconds, and the machine will start without any problem.
Pros
- Long deck suitable for taller people.
- Fully packed with many fancy features, including on-demand workout videos, google maps, stat tracking, etc.
- Auto incline options eliminate the hassle of changing it manually.
- Uses sturdy materials for long durability.
- Smooth performance even at high speed.
Cons
- The opening screen may mislead people to subscribe to iFit when it’s not mandatory.
- A fan would have been nice at this budget range.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Treadmill for Seniors (Buying Guide)
We already have explained why seniors need different types of treadmills. But there still may be some confusion about what to look for when buying the best treadmill for walking seniors.
Therefore, here we have explained everything you need to know before selecting a treadmill for a senior person. Generally, we recommend checking the following things:
Things to consider before buying treadmill for walking seniors:
- Types of Treadmills
- Technical Features
- Safety Features
Below we have discussed these things in detail.
1. Types of Treadmills
Walking treadmills for seniors usually come in two variants: Motorized or electric and non-motorized or manual treadmills. Below we have explained everything in detail.
a) Manual Treadmills
The belt of manual treadmills moves only when you move it by walking or running. Here you need to put some extra effort as the belt will not move automatically.
A study found that you have to spend 30% more energy at the same speed on a manual treadmill compared to an electric one.
This extra effort makes your exercise more efficient.
Advantages
- Manual treadmills usually are inexpensive.
- It is a safer option for seniors because when you stop, the belt stops. No need for a safety clip.
- Besides, electricity is not required for walking.
Disadvantages:
- Put pressures on joints, which may not suit many seniors.
- Doesn’t include many features like the electric ones.
b) Electric Treadmills
The belt on the electric treadmills starts moving with the help of electricity. You don’t need to push it for motion.
Usually, motors in electric treadmills come with a specific horsepower. A treadmill with at least 1.5 HP or more is a good choice.
Advantages
- As the belt moves by the motor, you will have less pressure on joints during walking.
- You can adjust the incline automatically while walking.
- Electric treadmills also come with many workout features that can be helpful.
Disadvantages
- It cannot function without electricity.
- Though they include a safety button, the chance of an accident is still higher as you can fall if you get distracted or stumble.
2. Technical Features
Besides the types of treadmills, you also should look for the technical features. They make your walking experience better and more efficient.
The following are some of the technical features of a treadmill that worth checking before purchase:
- Incline
The incline on treadmills allows you to walk uphill. It helps burn more calories. At the same time, it is tiring too. So, if you are too weak, a flat belt is okay. But if you have that energy and burn double calories, a treadmill with an auto incline would be great.
- Speed & Motor
If you are going for an electric treadmill, you also need to check the speed range and motor power. A speed of a maximum 5 mph is good enough for walking.
As for the lowest speed, 1 mph is enough, but starting from 0.5 mph can be beneficial for many seniors. And the motor should be at least 1.5 HP for a good performance.
- Heart Rate Monitor
Monitoring heart rate helps to have more control over the workout. It is especially beneficial for seniors with heart problems. So, try to buy a treadmill that has a built-in heart rate monitor.
3. Safety Features
When you are buying a walking treadmill for seniors, you must look for maximum safety features. This is what makes seniors’ treadmills different from others.
The following are some features that enhance the safety of a treadmill:
- Long Handrails
Seniors often do have balancing problems. As a result, they can accidentally fall. But if the handrails are long enough, they will be able to hold the handles to avoid falling to the ground. We have included some of the treadmills on the list above that have very long handrails.
- Safety/Emergency Button
Another thing that can save you from falling is an emergency button. If you feel stumbling, you can quickly press the button to stop the belt immediately.
Usually, the button comes with a safety clip. The clip will be attached to your cloth while running. If you fall by accident, the safety button will automatically stop the machine.
- Cushioning
Cushioning is also an important factor for seniors. If you have pain in your joints, if they are weak, putting too much pressure on them will cause more pain.
And if the deck is hard, you may not feel good. So, try buying a treadmill that has multiple layers of cushioning to make it soft.
- Size of the Deck
It may not matter much for small-sized seniors as they can fit anywhere. But seniors who are tall and heavy, a small deck may feel uncomfortable.
The surface with at least 48 inches in length and 16 inches in width should be good to go for most seniors. If you require more space, go for 50 inches in length and 18 inches in width.
Other Considerations
The features explained above are most important for selecting the best treadmill for walking seniors.
Besides, there are also some features that are nice to have on a treadmill.
Some of the features that you can consider before buying a treadmill are:
- A good quality LCD or LED display to monitor progress.
- Bluetooth connectivity and well-built speakers if you love listening to music or podcasts while walking.
- At least one bottle holder so you can drink something in between.
- At least a mobile holder should be there. Additionally, a tablet or laptop holder will be good if you require it.
- Speed of more than 5mph so you also can run if you want.
Besides these features, some treadmills come with many more features, most of which are irrelevant. Now, based on your requirements, you can easily select the best treadmill for seniors.
How to Work/Run on a Treadmill
If you are a first-timer, you may find it troublesome to walk or run on a treadmill. Follow the instructions below to start a treadmill workout for 60 year old woman and men.
If you are using a manual treadmill, step up on the belt, and start pushing it backward and make it move.
Don’t forget to hold the handrails to keep balance. Gradually speed up and make yourself comfortable.
In the case of an electric treadmill, start with a speed of 1mph or less. Hold the handrails tight for better balance.
After a few minutes, try walking without holding the handrails and start increasing speed slowly once comfortable. And one more thing, if it has a safety clip, attach that to your cloth before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question 1: How fast should a 70 year old walk on a treadmill?
How fast you should walk highly depends on your fitness level. While walking is beneficial to your overall health, the opposite can happen if you walk faster than your ability.
Walking at a speed of 2.53 to 2.82 is ideal for a 70 to 79-year-old.
Question 2: Is a manual treadmill good for senior citizens?
Many believe that manual treadmills are better for senior citizens. That’s because of the safety it offers. The belt starts moving when you move it, and it stops when you stop.
Hence, the chance of an accident is less. Another thing to keep in mind is that it puts higher pressure on your joints.
Question 3: How far should a 70 year old walk every day?
A 70-year-old with good fitness should walk around 1 to 4 miles every day.
Again, it totally depends on your overall health condition. So, when you feel you can not continue, stop walking and have some water.
Question 4: Is walking on the treadmill 30 minutes a day enough?
Most fitness gurus suggest walking at least 30 minutes a day on a treadmill. It improves your cardiovascular fitness, burns calories, and loses body fat.
However, if you feel tired after a few minutes, then you can divide the sessions into three parts with 10 minutes each.
Question 5: Is it better to walk longer or faster?
According to experts, it is better to walk faster than longer. When you walk fast, your body engages more in physical activities, which is crucial for an efficient workout.
In contrast, if you walk slowly, your body will not move much. So, it wouldn’t matter if you walk longer.
Conclusion
These were some of the best treadmills for seniors. You can purchase the one that matches your requirements and have better fitness.
If you ask us which one is the best treadmill for senior walking, we have a few options in mind.
For seniors with balancing problems, we recommend EXERPEUTIC TF2000. The full-length handrails provide maximum safety.
We also recommend the Sunny Health & Fitness T7643 as the overall best treadmill for senior walkers. It is a heavy-duty treadmill with a long deck and safety features. And it doesn’t cost you too much.