Treadmills For the Elderly
Treadmills can be an excellent source of exercise and sanity, especially in bad weather. And, fortunately for seniors, they come with a number of amenities that can enhance one’s running experience.
Treadmill
Most machines have small handles installed on or in front of the display panel, which are mostly used for catching one’s breath. If you feel unsteady on your feet, however, or simply want to take a brisk walk with a little support then you may need safety handles that jut out to the sides of the treadmill. These handles are a little higher than the average walker or cane, but they do provide extra relief to weak knees or leg muscles.
Adjustable Suspension
An adjustable suspension allows you to increase or decrease the treadmill’s shock absorption. This is ideal for all runners, not just those who may have knee injuries or arthritis. Many treadmills advertise their shock-absorbing abilities, but consumers should realize that just because a machine boasts that it has this feature, it doesn’t mean that its level of shock absorption is right for every user. If a machine’s too absorbent it can throw off your balance, possibly causing falls. If the platform’s too stiff it can inflame arthritis or even cause knee injuries.
Long Running Decks
Everyone can use a little extra room, especially on a moving platform. That’s why a long running deck can decrease the risk of injury on a treadmill. We’ve all done it at one time or another – increased the speed of the treadmill too high and found ourselves getting farther and farther away from the display. Get too far and you may fall right off the machine. A larger running deck provides more track, making it more forgiving for ambitious runners or for those who may lag or fall back from time to time.
Motion-Contolled Speed Adjustment
It can really break your stride if you have to manually adjust your speed every time you want to go faster or slower. Motion control allows you to control these settings by waving your hand. This can come in especially handy if you get into trouble, need to slow down and would otherwise be fumbling to see and push the emergency off button.
