Just as it’s important for growing children to exercise, it’s essential as we age to integrate a holistic fitness routine into our daily lives. Injuries can occur more frequently, aches and pains can appear out of nowhere, muscle resilience decreases, and we begin to lose strength.
All in all, our bodies are less forgiving and it’s easy to lose the energy and motivation required to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. However, this is one of the times in life when strengthening and conditioning are most beneficial to our wellbeing.
Your regime should change as you get older, so it includes suitable exercises that don’t cause excessive discomfort or exhaustion but are challenging enough to build and balance muscle.
Playground Centre are experts in what’s best for children, however we also have a range of equipment and fitness apparatuses that are highly beneficial to an older age bracket.
We’ll explore the uses and benefits of some of our bestselling exercise equipment that will produce a positive outcome for elderly men and women who are looking to stay healthy, strong and happy!
Benefits of Exercise for Seniors
Before we get into the various types of outdoor exercise equipment for the elderly, understanding the benefits of regular movement is important. Some of these benefits include:
Increased Strength
- Improved strength can assist in day-to-day activities like lifting, climbing stairs and walking.
- It can also reduce the effect of aged-related muscle loss.
Bone Health
- Bone density begins to decrease from the age of 40 and is accelerated around the age of 50 years which increases the risk of bone fractures.
- Regular exercise can improve your bone health and help reduce bone loss and osteoporosis.
Improved Balance and Mobility
- Improving your overall balance and mobility leads to improvements in coordination and reduces the risk of falling.
- Exercising also promotes better joint stability and posture.
Cardiovascular Health
- With regular aerobic exercises, this can improve heart health, reducing risks of high-blood pressure, heart disease and heart attacks.
- Blood circulation is improved as blood is being circulated throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to various body parts.
Understanding the reasons why regular activity is such an important part of daily life can significantly improve your health for many years to come.
Daily activity increases strength, bone density, balance and flexibility, and improves heart function giving you ability to live a more active independent life.
Considering these advantages, let us explore the different outdoor fitness equipment designed specifically for older adults to stay healthy and enjoy their golden years with confidence and happiness.
Ex Bench Fitness & Gym Station
The Ex Bench is a multi-purpose apparatus that integrates well into community spaces like parks and recreational facilities. It was developed by human movement specialists exclusively for Playground Centre, and aims to deliver a strengthening, full body workout.
Best Exercises:
- Push-ups
- Pull-ups
- Squats
- Step-ups
- Lunges
- Leg raises
- Core exercises
- Stretching
Benefits:
This fitness station promotes:
- Agility
- Flexibility
- Strength
- Dexterity
- Coordination
Bodyweight exercises are the focus with this piece of equipment, which encourages strengthening without straining and overworking the muscles. To learn more about the Ex Bench and for visual cues, watch our informational video here.
Balance Beam Fitness Station
Walking on uneven ground can cause dangerous falls resulting in injury. The Balance Beam Fitness Station is a simple piece of exercise equipment for older adults, designed to improve balance and coordination.
Best exercises:
- Walking along the balance beam with arms outstretched (ensure the participant has an adequate level of strength to complete this)
- Test balance b placing one foot on the beam and the other planted firmly on the ground
- Toe tapping, alternating feet
Benefits:
This balancing apparatus is a great way for older people to maintain balance, and can also integrate the notion of engaging the core to assist with stability.
Max Health – Young at Heart Station
The max health young at heart module has been specifically designed with senior fitness in mind, this unit can stand alone or can be combined with other units such as our Ex-Bench to guarantee a full body workout for a variety of ages and abilities. It offers low-impact exercises that focus on strength, balance, flexibility and cardiovascular health.
Best Exercises:
- Balance Training
- Single-Leg Stands
- Step-Ups
- Strength Training
- Assisted Push-Ups
- Leg Press
- Squats
- Resistance Exercises
- Cardiovascular Training
- Step Marching
- Dynamic Arm Movements
Features of the Max Health Workout Machine
- Finger Stairs
- Sliding Ring
- Balance Spring
- Balance Beam
Benefits of the Max Health Workout Station:
- Supports joint health and physical mobility
- Improves balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls
- Promotes mental well-being, through regular movement and exercise
- Strengthens muscles to assist with regular daily tasks
Chess Board & Pieces
Train the brain and the body with this outdoor chess board! Not only does it promote cognitive thinking, but it encourages movement and social interactions.
Benefits:
- Requires movements including walking, lifting and pushing
- It’s a fun and social activity that doesn’t feel like forced exercise
Contact Playground Centre for Senior Fitness Equipment in Your Area
The key to successful exercise regimes with older age groups is to ensure variety, so everyone can find a fitness activity they enjoy! Give members of your community the opportunity to get in shape, build strength and improve their quality of life by feeling their best.
Create an exercise set up for seniors in your urban areas, with a selection of specially designed equipment from Playground Centre. Contact our friendly team to find out more about which equipment will work best in your area.