Even when growing old you should never compromise on fitness. The best treadmills for seniors provide comfort and safety, allowing you to maintain an active lifestyle at home.
If you are new to the world of treadmills, you may feel focused on those features and specs. Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. In this post, we will show you a list of the best treadmills for older adults on the market and tell you how to choose the right one for yourself.
Our Top Picks
We highly recommend EXERPEUTIC TF2000 treadmill as it is specially designed for recovery purposes and has full-length handrails. However, the Exerpeutic TF1000 is also a very good small fold-up treadmill for senior citizens to consider.
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Best Treadmills for Seniors: Reviews
Older adults have different needs. We try to include more types of treadmills in our list so as to guide you to find the most appropriate ones.
1. EXERPEUTIC TF2000 Recovery Fitness Walking Treadmill – Best Overall Treadmill For Seniors
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EXERPEUTIC TF2000 is one of the best treadmills for elderly who are in recovery or have mobility issues. If safety is your priority, we suggest you check it out.
Featuring 49” foam padding full-length handrails and a 5″ low deck, this product is a perfect walking treadmill for 60-year-old and above who need to use the assistive device during their daily life. You will feel very secure while walking on it as you will always find something to grab.
The speed starts at 0.2 miles per hour and increases up to 5 mph. Don’t worry about the noise. It is very quiet and the 10 deck cushion can effectively reduce the impact on your joint and knees. This is great for users who start to walk again or just had knee or hip surgery.
Plus, it has a backlit display, safety clip, stop button, and accessory holder. It is very easy to use and seniors with visual problems will like the big numbers on the LCD screen.
Overall, it is a very good walking treadmill for seniors with all the necessary safety features.
Pros:
- It has full-length handrails to support the elderly.
- It has white dashes on the belt for identification of belt moving.
- It has an extra cushion to reduce the impact on the joint.
- It has a deck at low height i.e. 5 inches.
Cons:
- The safety cord is too long for some people.
2. Sunny Health & Fitness Walking Treadmill – Best For Walking
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This Sunny Health & Fitness treadmill is another excellent walking treadmill on this list.
The same as EXERPEUTIC TF2000, it features full-length handrails, making it a good choice for patients who need recovery. Compared to TF 2000, it has a shorter but wider deck (44L X 19.5W). It is non-slip and the shock absorption technology helps to protect your joints..
We also like that the deck is close to the ground, making you could easily step on it. The maximum user weight is 295 lbs to support the majority of users.
Pros
- Long handrails adds more safety.
- Well-cushioned treadmill.
- Portable.
Cons
- This machine doesn’t incline.
3. Exerpeutic TF1000 Ultra High Capacity Walk to Fitness Electric Treadmill – Best For Overweight Seniors
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This is another electric treadmill from Exerpeutic that can support up to 400 lbs. For an elderly person who is healthier than others, this could be a good choice.
It features a 20″ wide belt, allowing you to feel free when walking on it. Even better, it also has 18″ extra-long handrails, making it an ideal treadmill for seniors who need some support from time to time.
The treadmill has a speed adjustable up to 4 miles per hour that has increments of 0.1 miles per hour. The LCD console displays speed, the time elapsed, distance covered, calories burnt and pulse monitor.
The handrails have heart pulse pads that allow you to monitor your heart rate during the exercise and also have speed control buttons to give you easy access for controlling the speed.
The product also has a manual incline feature and you can incline it to increase the intensity of the exercise. The two positions in which the incline can be set are 3% and 6%.
This walking treadmill comes with a fold-up design and would be a good choice for people who live in small spaces.
Pros:
- It is super quiet.
- It has an incline feature which many machines don’t have. It can be inclined 3% or 6% manually.
- It has got controls on both handrails and on the console.
- It has a compact design and takes less space on the floor.
- It is also lightweight as compared to other products.
Cons:
- It will speed up for a few seconds before slow down which is dangerous for some users.
- It doesn’t include a backlit display.
4. Merax Electric Folding Treadmill– Best Budget Option
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This machine is a pretty good treadmill option if you are on a tight budget. It works pretty well for the price paid for it.
As a folding treadmill, it is very easy to assemble and use. You can move it from your living room to your bedroom with a breeze. The overall size is 55” x 23.5” x 43”, which is small enough for most seniors.
The LCD display monitors distance covered, the time elapsed, speed, and calories burned. The speed ranges from 0.5 to 7.5 mph and it also has 12 preset programs to meet different purposes. Even better, it also comes with a speaker, allowing you to walk or run while listening to their favorite playlist.
We also like the non-slip lawn texture belt which is safe and quiet while working.
However, It can only safely support up to 220 pounds which is not a choice for big and tall men. We also recommend it to older adults with relatively higher fitness levels as the handrail is short.
Pros:
- Low price.
- It has controls on the handrail.
- It is easy to set up.
- It is foldable and has a design that is space saving.
Cons:
- It does not have a tilting position.
- It has short handrails which are a con in case of elders.
- Has only 220 lbs weight capacity.
- Narrow belt.
5. Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill – Best Fold Up Treadmill
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For the elderly who have relatively good balance and strength, this treadmill would be a good try.
We like its sleek and simple design, making it a perfect fit for both home and office. It is lightweight and you can fold it up easily. No assembly is needed, that’s would be an advantage for some users.
It comes with handrails, but you could choose to take it off if you want to use it under a desk or just for walking. The speed for walking ranges from 1 to 4 km/h.
If you want to run on it, the speed varies from 1-12km/h. It has 7-layer cushioning but doesn’t forget to add lubrication before your first use.
It is a quiet machine, however, the noise level will increase when you run at a high speed.
Overall, it is a very modern and convenient machine to use, but we would not recommend it to the elderly who have mobility issues.
Pros
- Beautiful design.
- Lightweight and easy to fold up.
- It has a phone holder.
- It has a tablet holder.
- The handrails are removable.
Cons:
- The belt may skip from time to time.
- Short cable cord.
- No long handrail.
6. LifeSpan TR2000e Electric Folding Treadmill – Best Premium Option
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This is one of the best high-end treadmills for seniors. You can get a foldable treadmill without compromising any necessary functions.
The unique feature of it is that you can fold and unfold it automatically by pressing a single button. In this way, you can easily handle it without hurting your hands and back.
The dimensions are 33” W x 70.25” L x 55” H. It can support a weight of up to 300 pounds. It also has a USB port that can charge your smartphone and upload your workout results.
8 impact-absorbing compression shocks ensure you feel comfortable when walking for a long period of time.
It also comes with a big LCD display that can show your distance, calories, and heart rate. The console provides 17 workout programs for cardio training or other purposes.
In addition, it has a lifetime motor and frame warranty.
Pros:
- It is very quiet.
- It is very easy to move around as it has wheels for easy transportation.
- It can be folded and unfolded with a single button press.
- A lot of workout programs to follow.
- Comfortable to walk.
Cons:
- This treadmill has a slight incline even when the incline is set 0.
7. NordicTrack T Series Treadmills – Best Sturdy Treadmill
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This treadmill is a big and strong one. It is the best treadmill for seniors who are fit enough and like to run instead of just walking slowly.
It has a walking belt of 20“ x 60” with FlexSelect cushioning which is spacious and comfortable. The weight capacity is 300 lbs and the maximum speed is 12 MPH.
Want some incline? This item includes automatic 12% incline technology to offer you more challenges. It also comes with 1-year iFit membership so that you can track your performance better.
The product has a lifetime motor and frame warranty and a 1-year warranty for parts and labor. However, the handrail is quite short which may not fit for users with balance issues.
Pros:
- It is very sturdy.
- It has a large and easy to read display.
- It stands strong when walking or running on it.
- It has a lifetime warranty on frame and motor.
Cons:
- It is heavy and a huge treadmill which is not easy to move around.
- It is a bit complicated to set up this treadmill.
- Short handrail.
8. Sole F63 Folding Treadmill – Another High-End Option
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This is another high-quality treadmill that we think is appropriate for senior citizens. Even though it doesn’t embrace a lot of fancy features, it is steady and comfortable to use in the long term.
Featuring high-quality cushioning, the treadmill works steady and quiet even at high speed. For elderly with knee problems, it is a great option as it can largely reduce the impact on your body.
Want to burn more calories? The 15% incline gives you more choice and you can adjust it both on the console and handlebars.
The 60″ long and 20″ wide track is spacious even for tall men. The LCD display works with not only the Sole Fitness app but Fitbit and MyFitnessPal to ensure your performance is accurately recorded.
In addition, like some models we mentioned above, it features a fold-up design to ensure you store it in tight spaces.
Pros
- Steady and quiet.
- 15% incline.
- Compatible with a few fitness apps.
- Space-saving folding design.
Cons
- No advanced features.
- Expensive.
Can Seniors Use a Treadmill?
Seniors can always use a treadmill with some precautions and safety tips. Walking or running on the treadmill is a great way to maintain fitness and improve cardio tolerance and balance.
It is also pleasant to use it for walking rather than going out for a walk because you always have nice weather at home and a smooth track to walk on all around the year.
For users who need to use assistive advice, you may need to use the handrail at first to ensure you will not fall down. If you have any health concerns, you should always consult your doctor or therapist before using any exercise equipment.
Here is a video of some safety tips that you should know about having a safe and productive experience using the treadmill.
What to Consider While Buying a Treadmill for Seniors?
Buying a treadmill for the elderly is quite different from buying it for yourself. Elders are mostly not interested in Bluetooth and USB features; rather they require a simple treadmill that can offer them a safe and smooth walk.
Here are some features that you should consider while buying a treadmill for 60-year-old or above to offer them a safe exercise.
Consult doctor
We have to deal with a lot of health issues with age. If you haven’t done any fitness training for a long time or have any health problems before, please ask your doctor if treadmill walking or running is good for you.
Cushioned and large belt
Having a cushioned belt is very helpful for older adults as it is the thing that reduces joint pain and makes walking or jogging more comfortable and pleasant.
Having a good belt size is also a plus point to have. Having 20 inches width of the belt is a decent size and is suitable for having a comfortable walk.
Motor
It is important that the treadmill has a motor as aging people cannot put in extra effort to get the belt rolling. That’s why we don’t include manual treadmills in our list.
Safety rails
For users who are in recovery or have mobility issues, we advise you to buy a treadmill with long handrails. Elders can get a hold of the rail to maintain their balance and feel much more secure when walking.
Incline Settings
Most elders don’t go running at a high speed but having an incline be it manual or automatic is a good option to get a little challenge for them.
Console
This is one thing that you would often consider compromising on but the fact is having a good large size and a simple console is very important for seniors so they can monitor their workout.
Heart Rate Monitor
Monitoring heart rate during a workout is also very important. You just want to know how many calories you have burned and how long you have walked.
If you jogging outdoor, you may need a fitness tracker, but you can measure your heart rate directly by putting your hands on the handrail.
FAQ
How fast should a 70 year old walk on a treadmill
It Depends On Your Health Conditions. Generally Speaking, 80 To 115 Beats Per Minute Is Good For Most Users At This Age.
How much walking should seniors do?
Adults aged 65 and above should do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week.
Conclusion:
Reviewing the treadmills and considering the requirements we have come to the conclusion that the best treadmill for seniors is Exerpeutic Treadmill TF2000.
It has a long handrail, safety cord, heart rate monitor, and a wide belt to walk on. Additionally, it has a low deck height to make it safe for you to mount on, and with that, it has white dashes on the belt which indicates the movement of the belt and makes it easy for you to judge the pace.
No matter you are looking for a small size or fold-up frame, you can find a good one in our list above.
