As we get older, it can be hard to know what exercises are suitable and helpful for your age and health. It is important to exercise as you age, so your good health can last longer, and you can even do so at home with a few handy pieces of exercise equipment.
Hand Exerciser Ball
A hand exercise ball is a simple design. Made of squeezable rubber, plastic or foam, an exercise ball allows you to build strength in your hand and fingers. There are numerous sizes and shapes to choose from, and you can even use them as stress balls too! The simple movement of flexing your fingers around the rubber or foam ball can have a big impact on the strength in your hands. Try doing hand exercises once a day.
Resistance Band
Resistance bands are simple pieces of equipment and ideal for those who want to exercise at home. Inexpensive but effective, the bands help you build up strength in the muscles in your arms, shoulders, back and legs. Start with light resistance and work your way onto heavier bands as your strength increases. Resistance bands have many benefits, from being adaptable, portable and providing an effective workout.
Dumbbells
Dumbbells are needed for strength training and building muscle all over your body, and you can easily get your hand on neoprene hand weights that offer a good grip when using them. If you get yourself a set with a variety of weights, you can build up strength over time. Simple exercises to include in your workout with dumbbells are arms curls for biceps, overhead press for shoulders, triceps extensions, shoulder squats and lunges for thighs, hips and buttocks and crunches for abdominals. Start slow on the exercises, building speed as you get used to the movement.
Pedal Exerciser
Keeping your legs active is important, especially if you use a wheelchair or all-terrain mobility scooter, as it helps with blood flow and mobility. A pedal exerciser is a great investment, and you can use it while sitting down watching TV! When you are sitting down, you need to get your feet on the pedals and push, just like riding a bike. You can get your feet and legs moving in rhythm, increasing speed as you go. The pedal exerciser helps build your leg muscles and improves the blood flow around your body. Pedals are non-slip too, and the small size makes the equipment portable.
Wobble Boards
A wobble board may not appeal to everyone, but they are excellent pieces of equipment that help with balance training and mobility for the elderly. Though you can do balance training without a wobble board, such as standing on one foot, they are effective pieces of equipment as they are versatile for when your balance improves, but can still provide challenges. Make sure you have something nearby like a wall, rail or walker to help you when you get started, as balancing on the wobble boards takes practice!
Gym Ball
Another piece of exercise equipment that helps with mobility is a gym ball. A simple tool, you can work on joints and balance when using it, though it is best to use in a class or with a personal trainer than at home on your own, especially if you have never used one before. Most exercises involve sitting on the ball such as walking with it while sitting on it, lifting your feet alternatively while maintaining an upright seated position or making circles with the ball. Try one set to start off with, adding more as you get used to the movement, and avoid any which cause pain and discomfort.
What exercise equipment do you like to use for building strength or improving your balance? Let us know via social media and take a look at our other blog posts for more advice on staying healthy as you get older and mobility scooters:
Getting help when you have trouble standing from seating
Mobility scooter breakdown cover FAQs
