Advice on Low-Impact Cardio Equipment for OAP

NFH

I am helping my parents get back into exercise. They are 71 and 65. Both in good shape and previously very active. After reading about the benefits for over 60's, I want to get them into HIIT.

I am looking for advice on the best low-impact cardio option. I was thinking elliptical trainer, stationary bike or rowing machine. My preference would be for elliptical trainer. What do people think is best or do you have other suggestions?

Finally, where would be the best place to get this equipment. I understand that good elliptical trainers can be over €1K.

Thanks.

Transform

i train quite a few clients in that age range and the very last thing i would do with them is HIIT

Id get them to focus on simple weight training and a truck load of mobility work

Failing all that if you think you know better - get an assault bike

GalwayGrrrrrl

No way would I do HIIT with that age group. The risk of injury or a cardiac event is too high. Walking outside is the best cardio exercise for that age group if they are not previously exercising, or an elliptical if you think they’d use it. Lots of second hand fitness equipment for sale so I’d start with that first. If there is a swimming pool nearby that’s another good option.

Mobility and weights seem to have massive beneficial impacts on older people from anything i have seen
Wouldn't go near hiit without at the least them talking to a doc

caviardreams

NFH wrote: »

I am helping my parents get back into exercise. They are 71 and 65. Both in good shape and previously very active. After reading about the benefits for over 60's, I want to get them into HIIT.

Would second the advice above, also have you asked them what they might be interested in themselves? That doesn't really come across from your post tbh (though you may well have). They may also enjoy something with a group training / social element to it like yoga/pilates, or maybe something like a good small group training set-up where they would get individual attention to ensure their form was good and modifications if necessary.

NFH

Both were into athletics but I don't think running is an option due to impact issues. I have spoken to them and know their capabilities. An elliptical trainer, rowing machine or stationary bike is by no mean too much and these are great options particularly when the weather is like this. And when I say HIIT, I obviously don't mean HIIT in the same way you might do HIIT. Firstly, I would advise them to start on just long slow sessions, similar to a walk or slow jog. After a while they can start adding in short higher intensity burst, nothing major. Plenty of evidence that HIIT is good for older people when used correctly. You get more bang for you buck and don't need to be training to long. My gf's father is 65 and doing a form of HIIT on the rowing machine and finding great results from it. Weights and mobility traingin is good but thats not cardio.

My question is simply what is the best low-impact cardio machine (elliptical trainer imo) and where is the best place to get this. Perhaps people can advise secondhand places? Thanks

Transform

NFH wrote: »

Both were into athletics but I don't think running is an option due to impact issues. I have spoken to them and know their capabilities. An elliptical trainer, rowing machine or stationary bike is by no mean too much and these are great options particularly when the weather is like this. And when I say HIIT, I obviously don't mean HIIT in the same way you might do HIIT. Firstly, I would advise them to start on just long slow sessions, similar to a walk or slow jog. After a while they can start adding in short higher intensity burst, nothing major. Plenty of evidence that HIIT is good for older people when used correctly. You get more bang for you buck and don't need to be training to long. My gf's father is 65 and doing a form of HIIT on the rowing machine and finding great results from it. Weights and mobility traingin is good but thats not cardio.

My question is simply what is the best low-impact cardio machine (elliptical trainer imo) and where is the best place to get this. Perhaps people can advise secondhand places? Thanks

i answered your question dude - assault bike but still think its a limited thinking an inexperienced approach

plus n=1 is not evidence or proof of a systems first principle of training

NFH

Transform wrote: »

i answered your question dude - assault bike but still think its a limited thinking an inexperienced approach

plus n=1 is not evidence or proof of a systems first principle of training

Any advice on where is best to get one of these? Perhaps there is a place that might deal in good secondhand equipment?

Thanks for advice. They are also currently part of a walking group and beginning to get back into working on their flexibility. They have access to weights so light weight work is a great suggestion. I just think low-impact cardio would be a great addition to keeping them fit and healthy.

ford2600

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkXwfTsqQgQ&t=5s

That's Brendan Egan of DCU, worth a listen.

Look up James O'Keeffe, cardiologist; he's not in love with HIIT but his main point is to limit marathon type endurance.

If you want your parents to age well, away from exercise, there is probably lower fruit on tree for their health and longevity. Urge encourage them to
*keep social; walking clubs, dancing, bowls. Make new friends as old ones die
* someone give them grandchildren!
*do as much stuff for themselves and others as they can for as long as possible

Those three are way way more important and very low risk for injury as compared to maxing out their heart on some indoor trainer

All three of them will give them something to get out of bed for

As for your specific query, try a liquidation sale

NFH

ford2600 wrote: »

* grandchildren.

Ah to be fair now would an aul cross trainer not do

Good advice though!

Transform

NFH wrote: »

Any advice on where is best to get one of these? Perhaps there is a place that might deal in good secondhand equipment?

Thanks for advice. They are also currently part of a walking group and beginning to get back into working on their flexibility. They have access to weights so light weight work is a great suggestion. I just think low-impact cardio would be a great addition to keeping them fit and healthy.

you're not going to get an assault bike second hand as they are like hens teeth - snapped up quickly .

Good to know they are addressing their mobility and strength which is what they need the most

References on Dr Egan and O'Keefffe are bang on

In order of priority how we train clients based on first principles

1. Assess and address mobility constantly

2. Improve base strength to a point as strong is strong enough

3. Build and maintain a strong aerobic base - low to medium intensity exercise using any means available for longer steady state workouts

4. Do HIIT training based on Heart rate readings from point 3 - if someone cant keep HR at modest level with medium intensity exercise then they are no business doing HIIT training, training at an anerobic pace without an established aerobic base firmly established is asking for trouble.
This is nothing new and something that Bill Bowerman, Percy Cerutty, Jack Daniels, Phil Maffetone et al have been talking about for years and has been shown in science to be what the pros do most recently through the work of the likes of Stephen Seiler

All the best and might be worth looking at the mobility assessment and how to address post i put up if someone can link

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NFH

Thanks for the advice! Knowing them I just know the gym is not an option and no amount of persuasion will change that. From the equipment options I do think a cross trainer is the best bet but I will rethink the HIIT approach and will emphasise to them the importance of working on their flexibility and doing light resistance work. The cross trainer can just be an additional cardio option. On top of that all I can do is keep encouraging them to keep up the walking groups and stay as social as possible. Only so much one can do without badgering.

ford2600

NFH wrote: »

Ah to be fair now would an aul cross trainer not do

Good advice though!

If your mother is 65 and father 71 the chances are, in terms of normal life expectancy, is that your mother could have 10 years on her own.

When that happens, and losing a life long partner is rated by psychologists (yes they scale stuff like that!) as one of the hardest most stressful things in life, she will need children, grandchildren and friends to get through the day.

Investing in that stuff now, for both of them, is way more important than a good value cardio equipment!

All the best

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