What are the fitness equipment for the elderly?

The fitness equipment for the elderly that we come into contact with on a daily basis are mainly two types: convenient models provided in public fitness areas in communities, and small models that the elderly can choose at home. There are more than ten types of high-frequency equipment, which can basically cover common exercise needs such as shoulders, necks, lower backs, and limbs.

Take the fitness area downstairs in our community as an example. The most frequently used one is the Tai Chi kneading massager, which is the one with two large discs with anti-slip texture. Downstairs, Aunt Zhang, who has suffered from periarthritis of the shoulder for three years, does kneading for 20 minutes every morning before exercising. She said that it saves a lot of effort compared to kneading at home, and the soreness around the shoulder disappears very quickly. However, I heard the uncle next door complain about this model before, saying that the disc is too slippery when wet and can easily hit your arm if you exert force quickly. In fact, there is basically no problem if you push it slowly and don't exert force suddenly. The spacewalk next to it is also very popular. Before my uncle recovered from knee surgery, the doctor specially asked him to slowly swing for 10 minutes every day. He did not need to raise his legs too high, and moved the joints without putting too much burden on the knees. Of course, some orthopedic doctors also reminded that if the walker is thrown parallel to the ground, it will easily pull the hip joint. It is safe to control the swing range within 30 degrees. There is also the back massager with raised rollers. Uncle Wang, who has had lumbar protrusion for many years, has to lean on it and roll it for five minutes every time he walks. He said that the force is more even than his wife. However, it is best for elderly people with osteoporosis to put a thin coat on them before leaning on it, otherwise the hard bulges will hurt. I have seen some old people wear their backs with too much force.

If you feel that you have to grab the equipment downstairs, or the weather is bad and you can’t go out, you can also choose some lightweight equipment for use at home. Many elderly people around me have wide elastic bands at home. My best friend’s mother had a hip replacement surgery before, and the rehabilitation specialist directly prescribed a 15-pound elastic band. You can practice hip and leg strength while sitting. It is much safer than dumbbells and does not take up space. The only thing you need to pay attention to is not to pull it too full, otherwise it will easily bounce on yourself when you let go. There are also those raised foot massage rollers. My mother now steps on them for two minutes every day when soaking her feet. She says that her whole body feels warm when she steps on them, and her feet are not cold even when she sleeps. But don’t use them if you have diabetic foot or an elderly person with poor peripheral nerve perception. There was news that the elderly people can’t feel pain, and if their feet are worn out, they will eventually become infected. There are also soft silicone grip balls that are also very practical. My second uncle had a stroke before and couldn't use half of his hand, so he squeezed the grip ball for half an hour every day when he had nothing to do. After practicing for three months, he can now hold chopsticks to eat by himself.

Actually speaking, there are far more than these fitness equipment for the elderly. In many places, there are special fitness rooms for the elderly equipped with more professional isokinetic muscle training equipment. But when choosing, don’t follow the trend. What others use may not be suitable for you. It is best to ask the doctor or rehabilitation practitioner for the opinion first. Don’t be too pushy when practicing. Comfort is the most important thing, right?