A treadmill offers an effective way to walk and exercise indoors.
For men and women over the age of 60, the right mix of exercise activities can help you reduce health risks while staying fit.
This includes strength training, endurance and flexibility exercises, or balance exercises for those at risk for falls.
According to Sporting Goods Business magazine, treadmills account for 33 percent of sales making them the most popular home exercise equipment.
Studies have also found that treadmills rank number one among the exercise machines that help with burning calories.
Most people may find it easier to walk or run on a treadmill compared to exercising using an indoor cycle or an elliptical trainer.
Some prefer to walk outside, but as we’ll see later on, there are benefits and disadvantages to walking, as well as using a treadmill.
However, you need to consult your physician before starting an exercise program, especially if you have health concerns, or haven’t been exercising.
We’re going to cover some of the best treadmills for seniors – men and women over 60 years – plus share a buying guide and the pros and cons of using a treadmill over walking outdoors.
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What To Look For When Buying A Treadmill For Seniors Over 60
Before deciding whether or not to buy a treadmill, you need to consider a few factors listed below:
- Budget: A treadmill is a huge investment, so you need to get a high quality, yet affordable one based on your budget. Quality treadmills are easy to use, quiet, comfortable, and durable, but depending on your budget, you could get a great one with better motors, more stability, and more workout options. Consider a refurbished or lightly used one, which you can find at a sale by previous owners or stores that sell them.
- Space: A treadmill may look smaller while at the store compared to your home space, so you may want to measure the space where you plan to put it before you buy it. You could go with a folding treadmill, but it still takes up space when folded, or find a model that’s easy to fold, unfold, and move around your home. Test it in the store before you buy it though.
- Number of people using it and the frequency of use: If there are several people using the treadmill, you may have to consider finding a strong, high-quality, durable model.
- Motor horsepower: The quality of your treadmill and workouts will be affected by the horsepower the drive motor delivers. However, the challenge is in figuring out the motor and horsepower specifications. In this case, find a treadmill whose drive motor is at least 1.5 continuous-duty horsepower or higher regular use, but for more frequent usage of the machine, choose one with 2.5-3.0 CHP, and depending on your weight, find a more powerful motor.
- How you’ll use the treadmill: Depending on whether you will walk or run on the treadmill, you need to find one that matches your needs. For example, running requires a longer belt for longer strides as it places more stress on the treadmill than walking.
- Minimum specifications: The belt size should be at least 48” long by 18” wide, or if you’re tall, you need at least 52” and 54” belts for walking and running respectively. If you’re going to use it for running, find a treadmill with 10 mph or more, and a good and stable frame so that it doesn’t shake whether you run or walk. The control panel should be easy to use and within reach, plus the incline should go up to 10 percent or more.
- Cushioning and maximum weight rating: The machine’s belt shouldn’t move around with each step you take, and the running bed should absorb any form of shock. For larger people, the maximum weight rating indicates the treadmill’s sturdiness. For a realistic figure, deduct about 50 pounds off the maximum weight rating.
- Extras: These are the kind of things you’d like included on the treadmill beside the minimum specifications. They can be anything from a heart rate monitor, foldable or regular treadmill, walking or running programs included, syncing the treadmill to websites or apps, and many others.
- Warranty: This is an indicator of the treadmill’s quality. If you find some with a lifetime warranty on the motor and frame or at least a 10-year warranty, you could consider such options. However, factor in costs such as delivery and in-home assembly of the machine, as some treadmills have to be assembled from the ground up before you use them.
Before you buy the treadmill though, try it first. Do your research and try as many as you can, spending at least 10 minutes on each to check its stability, whether it shakes and is quiet as you walk or run, among other extras it offers.
Best Treadmills For Men And Women Over 60
1. Exerpeutic TF2000
Its predecessor, the TF1000 doesn’t have the extras that this one comes with such as extra-long side handles and dash markings on the tread belt that make this machine a safer option.
It also features a drive motor with 1.5CHP running up to 5mph, which you can increase by 0.1mph to find the perfect exercising spot for your needs without the pressure to keep up with the machine.
Its LCD screen is easy to read and offers most of the metrics and other information you need at a glance about your workout, including a countdown that lets you know when the belt will start.
The belt deck has built-in cushions, about 10 in number, which reduces stress on your joints, and you can use it for slow jogging or just the usual walking.
Pros
- Quiet motor
- LCD display
- Side railings for stability
- Good cushioning on the tread belt
Cons
- Belt may be narrow
- Not foldable
2. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7603
It features a drive motor with 2.2CHP and a maximum of 9mph, but it’s still quiet and delivers smooth sessions on the machine.
The running surface is roomy, with cushioning that reduces cumulative stress on your joints, plus it also has an LCD display that’s easy to use and shows you statistics such as speed and other metrics.
You can set the treadmill with one click to run at any speed you want using a series of preset speed buttons, and nine preset programs to control your workouts without focusing on the session’s details.
Pros
- Affordable
- LCD display
- Good speed and performance
- Offers great value
- Has belt cushioning
Cons
- Belt may feel somewhat cramped
- Has no extended handrails
3. ProGear HCXL 4000 Treadmill
The wide running track is 20 inches in width and 40 inches long, plus it’s padded so you get good cushioning with every strike of your foot.
This way, there are no restrictions when you’re walking on the treadmill.
Its maximum weight capacity is 400 pounds, which is quite a lot for most users, and indicates how strong and rigid the unit is.
Easy controls are available such as on/off buttons on handlebars and speed control buttons all at your fingertips, the latter of which are adjustable at increments of one-tenth of a mile.
The maximum speed is 4 mph, which compared with other treadmills here is a bit high or low depending on the machine you’re comparing it to, but it’s quite ideal for most senior men and women over 60.
It also protects against maximum speeds that are error-induced, which can be dangerous for seniors.
Its handles are extra-long with great support and full controls on the handlebars, plus there’s an LCD display that’s large and clear so you can see the distance, calories burned, time elapsed, pulse and speed monitoring.
An emergency cut-off system is available to help you stop the treadmill safely and immediately, plus a two-level manual incline to easily and quickly increase the intensity by increasing your walking angles.
However, it doesn’t have an automatic incline, which means you’ll set it before you start exercising, or get off the belt and adjust it.
This treadmill is easy to assemble out of the box; just attach the computer and start exercising.
A reinforced frame is available too that’s secure and rigid, and can accommodate up to 400 pounds maximum user weight.
Pros
- 400 pound maximum weight capacity
- Easy controls
- Extra-long handles
- LCD display is large and easy to read
- Wider running track
- Emergency shut off feature
Cons
- No automatic incline
4. Lifespan TR2000e Electric Folding Treadmill
It’s a nice feature that saves you space when you’re not using it.
You simply push a button and it’ll fold automatically.
This way, seniors needn’t worry about having to fidget or bend over and fold the machine; just a touch of a button and everything is taken care of.
It features a simple console with 17 different programmed workouts and quickset buttons for speed and incline, so you can simply step on the treadmill and start your walking exercise.
A safety key is included to ensure the machine stops in the event that you lose balance, plus safety rails that are long enough but standard, and 8 absorbing shocks all over its deck to keep you comfortable as you work out, and reduce stress on your joints.
Pros
- Console is easy to use
- Quickset buttons for setting preferences
- Electric folding mechanism
- Shock absorbing deck
- Has a heart rate monitor
- Comes with lifetime motor and frame warranty, plus 1-year labor and 5-year parts warranty
- Decent size walking surface
- Priced well
Cons
- Display screen is small
- Could have longer safety rails
5.Weslo Cadence R5.2 Treadmill
This treadmill offers superior joint comfort and cushioning, even though it doesn’t quite have the handlebar support length as other models on this list.
The display console is larger and comes packed with more workouts than other treadmills mentioned here, but it limits your walking surface to 16 inches wide, which taller users may find restrictive.
Its drive motor is powerful at 2.5CHP, which is stronger than the first three treadmills we’ve looked at.
This offers the power needed for speed and interval training, which seniors who are fitter may consider.
The motor also gets quieter as the internal components cool, making it an ideal treadmill if you want to listen to music or watch something while exercising.afgdfhfnjy2345
The extra comfort cell cushioning system on the running belt reduces stress impact on your joints, so seniors with osteoporosis or arthritis may find it safer to use, plus they get faster recovery time between exercises.
It’s also designed to be compact and easy to store, thanks to its space saver design that lets you fold it, and the wheels make it easy for transport.
It still keeps its strength and rigidity of
its frame despite its compact nature.
The LCD display is large and clear, with large digits that are easy to read from any angle, plus a readout that tracks your burned calories, distance walked or ran, and speeds.
Pros
- Powerful and quiet motor
- Space saver design
- Extra belt cushioning
- Large LCD monitor that’s easy to read
Cons
- Limited track width of 16 inches
6. ProForm Performance 300i
It packs a top speed of 10 mph, which means you can also use it for running.
Plus, it has a motorized incline feature so you can easily up your speed without having to increase it on the machine, while helping with sore knees.
The compact treadmill comes with a space-saver design and folding deck so it won’t take up too much space in your home or gym as it’s designed with small spaces in mind.
However, unlike other treadmills we’ve seen already, its screen is pretty small and isn’t backlit so you may not find it easy to read statistics like your heart rate and others.
Pros
- Can be used for walking or running
- 10 percent incline available without increasing speed
- Adequate cushioning for comfortable strides
- Has a tablet holder and Bluetooth speakers
Cons
- Small screen
- Belt may be short
7. Exerpeutic TF1000
It has long handles for maximum safety and a wide running belt, plus a sturdy frame that gives you the option of folding the machine when it’s not in use.
Its maximum weight capacity is 400 pounds, and there’s a simple LCD display and console with easy to use controls, not too many though, but manageable nonetheless.
Pros
- Built-in heart rate sensors in the handlebars
- Designed for slow-paced walking or workout
- Warranty of 5-years on the motor and 1 year on the frame
Cons
- No automatic incline/decline
8. NordicTrack T Series Treadmill
This treadmill is feature-packed and ideal for any intensity of training or user type.
It has a maximum speed of 20 km/h with 20 programs built-in to help you reach the physical condition you desire.
The motor is powerful yet quiet with a 3.5CHP Drive System engine that allows you to reach your desired physical condition and goals.
It also has Speed Control 1-Touch selectors that let you increase your speed incrementally, and Electronic 1-Touch Incline Control selectors for the automatic incline of the tread.
Other unique features include a blue illuminated LCD display with statistics like speed, inclination, burned calories, time and heart rate, plus the Flex Select feature for reducing stress impact on your joints.
You can also measure and monitor your heart rate while training, and when you’re done using the treadmill, you can fold it up and keep it away.
Its space saver system helps minimize the machine’s volume when packed away.
Pros
- Foldable
- Several monitoring metrics
- Adjustable speeds and damping system
- 20 training programs
- High-quality
Cons
- Doesn’t include other devices like a tablet or iPod, which are sold separately
9. GOPLUS 1100W Electric Folding Treadmill
This treadmill is built with solid material as its frame is made of durable ABS and thickened steel tube, plus different PVC layers and five rubbers that cushion your joints against the impact of stress.
It’s foldable and easy to store so it won’t take up much space, and transport wheels so you can move it to your liking.
The treadmill is simple and functional, with adjustable speeds, so you can choose the speed you’re comfortable with, or an average of 8 km/h, or hit the 10 km/h maximum speed if you can.
The display shows all information like the meter for visualizing speeds, time, distance traveled and calories burned. There’s also an emergency stop in case of a fall.
Pros
- Durable
- Foldable
- Easy to store
- Quick setting buttons
- Cushioning against the impact of stress
- Display shows important metrics
Cons
- One year warranty
10. SOLE F63 Treadmill
This is a high-performance treadmill that comes at an affordable price and is ideal for seniors looking to improve their workout techniques while enjoying a complete but comfortable experience.
It has a maximum top speed of 20km/h, ideal inclination of up to 15 percent that’s good for cardio, a larger and wider tread area to walk with comfort, and an outstanding engine.
You can fold it up if you don’t have much space, and it’s also easy to maintain its robust belt to last you for a long time of usage.
Its incline keys are easy to use, plus there are handlebar and wireless pulse measurement options and Bluetooth technology to transfer your training data if you want.
The maximum weight for this treadmill is 148 kg.
Pros
- Robust belt
- Less pricey than other models
- Bluetooth technology compatible with Android and iOS
- Easy to use controls
- Adjustable fans
- Large LCD screen with important data
Cons
- Some users say it shakes at high speeds
- Huge size
Should You Walk Or Use A Treadmill?
Walking outside is not only free, but it has extra benefits such as helping you burn more calories because your body works harder and expends more energy, strengthens different muscles, and boosts your mood.
It also helps you train for longer distances than just a few minutes of working out on the treadmill, as it’s ideal for long and slow distance mileage, which uses more muscles for stability and balance compared to the treadmill.
The downsides with walking outside for senior men and women over 60 are the safety concerns on the road, the harder surfaces that put more strain on your joints, plus weather conditions that aren’t ideal for exercising.
With treadmills though, you can walk faster while staying entertained, and control your workout better than you would while walking outdoors.
It’s also a good way of practicing your form, training walking muscles, and achieving greater speed.
The major drawback is you don’t get to burn more calories if that’s your priority, and there are fewer downhill options for you though most offer incline options.
Treadmills aren’t free, so you have to buy one or pay a gym membership to use one, which ends up costing you more than if you just took a walk outside.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to pick out a good treadmill and how using one compares to walking outside, you can put these basics to good use.
Treadmills offer a convenient and excellent way of exercising while eliminating any excuses you may have had for walking outside in the wet or cold weather.
Diana Paul is a certified nutritionist who writes for leading health blogs. She is a master herbalist, yoga teacher, forager, and wild-crafting writer She is focused on helping people transform life blocks to opportunities. Based in NYC, she often holds health seminars and lectures.