Exercise Equipment for Senior Citizens

Question

I am looking for exercise equipment that I can use to stay limber and fit. Between the Total Trainer, TRX system and the Bowflex, which would you recommend? My lower body is stiff and lacks flexibility. I have used the cheaper total gym and rubber bands in the past when I was younger.

I have never used the TRX however as a youngster I use to do something similar with ropes or webbing (imagine, if I had only had the marketing skills back then… sigh). I also want to keep muscle. What would you suggest? Thank you.

Answer

Sounds like you were way ahead of your time with the TRX style gym you made at home, but don't feel too bad about missing the boat by selling it because people weren't ready for it back then anyway (it would have been an almost impossible sale).

Now let's move on and get you an answer to your question about exercise equipment for seniors to help keep limber and fit…

Before I start recommending equipment, I'm going to tackle the middle part of your question about staying limber since you mentioned it twice. It's easier to keep your upper body limber because many exercises for chest, back and triceps involve a stretching component within the exercise (i.e. chest press, rowing, tricep extensions) and most lower body exercises aren't as effective because they don't involve multi-plane joint movements of the hip (i.e. leg extension, toe raise, hamstring curls).

As far as equipment selection is concerned I think you should get the Total Trainer Power Pro and the TRX Gym and use them together on alternating workouts to help you - keep and build strength - and promote flexibility. Why get both? Good question let me explain…

The TRX Gym is a great choice for keeping your muscle and is a great tool for functional and core strength (two especially important factors for seniors). Since you have experience with a similar system you should be able to jump right in and start training with it effectively.

With a Total Trainer Power Pro you can get a complete stretch performing multi-joint upper body exercises using the (2) independent handles and with lower body exercises using the ankle straps.

Your total investment for the two pieces of exercise equipment will be under $800 (about the same as the entry level Bowflex) and has the following benefits:

• helps to keep muscle tone and strength
• good for staying limber
• promotes core and functional movement
• affordable price
• takes up almost no floor space
• requires virtually no maintenance
• delivered right to your door from the manufacturer

I hope that helps you out - if you have anymore questions about the equipment I recommended you can see my full reviews located here…

read my in-depth review of the Total Trainer Power Pro

see my video review of the TRX Gym