Are you an elderly person who wants to transform your fitness routine from walking outdoors to doing the same exercise at home? The best treadmill for seniors walking can make a big difference.
Built with the value of comfort and safety in mind, these workout power tools can be gentle on your joints, no matter how long you intend to be in motion. With these treadmills, you get the same workout effect and the exact health benefits of walking, running, and climbing.
The more you put them to use the better your health is likely to get. Because they take up small space, these treadmills should be super helpful when you only have a small area reserved for the machine.
In this guide, we’ll review the top models that are senior-friendly, plus a buyer’s guide in the last section to give you more insight on what to look at before getting the equipment.
Best Small Walking Treadmills for Senior Citizens
1. EXERPEUTIC TF2000 Recovery Fitness Walking Treadmill
Here’s a suitable treadmill for a 60-year-old adult who wants to stay on the move and live healthy. It’s particularly suitable for recovery fitness.
To begin with, the Exerpeutic TF2000 fitness walking treadmill is only 50 inches long and 16 inches wide. It therefore doesn’t take up a lot of space as many competing models do.
The aluminum material, while not as strong as cast iron, gives this machine a sturdy feel that performs well no matter how long or frequent you walk, run, or climb on it. It handles a maximum load of 300 pounds, which is the standard capacity for many treadmills from this brand.
Exerpeutic TF2000 Recovery Fitness Walking Treadmill features a clear LCD display that enhances interaction between a user and the machine. This fill you in on time spent working out, distance covered, speed of workout, current heart rate, as well as calories burned.
Exerpeutic designed the FT2000 model to be easy on adult as far as pace is concerned. A senior doesn’t move as fast as the young generation, and so it would make no sense to introduce extreme speed options to the device.
With TF2000, speed starts at 0.2 miles per hour and goes up at a rate of only 0.1 miles an hour. The maximum speed of the machine is 0.5 miles an hour, which is absolutely senior friendly.
The deck of the TF2000 is relatively low, standing at a height of only 5 inches, and therefore allows easy mounting. The 49-inch handrails are perfect for the 60-year-old folks who need support when using the treadmill.
Elliptical with 350 lb weight capacity
Pros
- 10 deck cushions for shock absorption
- Full length handrails for support when walking on the treadmill
- Easy to read LCD display shows all relevant workout stats
Cons
- Safety cord may be somewhat long for some seniors
2. NordicTrack T Series Treadmill
The NordicTrack T series is a folding treadmill that can help you stay on the move right from the comfort of your home.
It’s almost perfect in design, feels study once fully assembled, easy to fold down for storage when it’s not in use, and its noise level is so low that you can even use it in a room where people spend most of their time.
NordicTrack T includes an easy-to-adjust shock system, which lets you customize the cushioning of the deck by simply turning some knobs.
This feature is important for seniors who want a comfortable operation that eliminates shock from beneath, as well as those who want a firmer surface for workout.
The manual states that NordicTrack T series has a carrying capacity of 300 lbs, but the machine can handle a weight of up to 350 lbs just fine.
The console of this treadmill is not only brighter but also larger. The numbers on the screen appear bigger and clearer, so you don’t have to strain whatsoever to read the stats.
NordicTrack T series features 20 pre-built workout options that you can try. And the varying speed option, ranging from 0 to 10 miles per hour, gives you the flexibility to workout at your own pace. It also includes an incline from 0 to 10%, so you can walk, run, or climb without ever having to leave the comfort of your home.
Pros
- Stable; won’t wobble even when running fast
- Large and clear to read display
- Includes a SMART Response motor that enhance cardio training and running
- Easy to fold down for storage when it’s not in use
- LCD screen gives you access to world class personal trainers
Cons
- The safety rails could be longer
- This treadmill is expensive
Small electric treadmills for apartments
3. ProForm 505 CST Treadmill
ProForm 505 CST is well built, comfortable, and secure treadmill built to enable elderly persons to exercise in style.
The model’s cushioning system allows for maximum shock absorption, hence less stress on joints even on frequent or extended use. So if you have arthritic knees, achy feet, or hip pain, ProForm 505 CST can make a big difference.
This model’s computer display is quite standard in size and not nearly as robust as the ones on Exerpeutic TF2000 and NordicTrack T Series. It’s about 5 inches, so the screen real estate may be too small for some people. Still, it’s easy to navigate, so even a not so techie elder can easily figure it out.
Still on the console, you get about 18 pre-installed workout programs that you can use to take your workout routine to the next level. There are also quickset keys that let you adjust incline and control the speed of the machine.
One of the most outstanding features of the console system is the addition of guided workout. In other words, the ProForm 505 CST treadmill gives you access to personal trainers, who’ll help you to build healthy workout lifestyle regardless of how old you are.
While the safety rails are the standard size, it would have been even better if they were longer.
The ProForm 505 CST folds down nicely for storage, only it doesn’t have an electric folding mechanism such as the one found in Lifespan TR 2000E series. This 203 lbs treadmill also features metal wheels for easy transportation.
Pros
- Can handle a load capacity of 350 pounds
- Includes a heart rate monitor
- Folds down easily for storage
- Easy to use computer console
- Excellent cushioning
Cons
- The computer screen may be small for some seniors
- The handrails are somewhat short
4. Nautilus T614 Treadmill Series
The T614 may be a more basic model in the Nautilus treadmill series, but it still has some great features that make it suitable for the price point.
For example, the model includes an easy-to-read computer display, a media shelf for a tablet, and 22 built-in exercises – such as weight control, performance training, and custom workouts – for a more challenging workout routine.
While the computer console of the Nautilus T614 model isn’t as big as you’d initially expect, it’s crisp, backlit, and easy to read. There’s a quick start and stop button just below the screen, plus an option to adjust incline and speed on the fly for a more challenging workout.
The inclusion of an MP3 input port and speaker isn’t an upgrade many seniors will fancy as such. But if you’re one elderly person that loves to listen to music when exercising indoors, you’ll find this definitely interesting.
Above the console is a media shelf where you can put a device like a tablet, a mobile phone, or a mini laptop. We recommend using these only if they won’t deviate your mind from your workout routine.
Pros
- Includes handgrip sensor for heart rate tracking
- Has up to 12-degree easy-to-adjust include for working core muscles
- 22 pre-programmed workouts
- MP3 input compatibility adds musical entertainment to your training mix
Cons
- The display feels somewhat crowded
- Seniors with poor vision may struggle to read the console
Best treadmills with weight capacity of 400 lbs
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Small Treadmill for Seniors Walking
While there are many factors to consider when searching for the right treadmill for the elderly persons, below are the most important ones:
Incline
We recommend choosing a treadmill with an adjustable incline for a number of reasons. First, they allow you to walk virtually uphill, and, in the process, you burn more calories and tone your muscles.
Second, an incline enhances reasonable body weight distribution so that there’s less stress on your joints.
Safety
Treadmills with short handrails aren’t bad. But if you want more support as you run, walk, or climb virtually, you should consider a model with long safety handrails.
Cushioning
No matter how much money you’re ready to spend, spending money on just any treadmill is the worst gamble at its best. First test the machine for comfort and flexibility before you pay for it.
Go for a Small Treadmills for Seniors Walking whose cushioning up to the standard, as they guarantee excellent shock deflection.