Senior Home Gym Starter

$200 starter kit

• Resistance bands set ($30) — 5 levels, door anchor.
• Adjustable dumbbells (2-25 lbs) ($80) — Bowflex 552 or Powerblock.
• Yoga mat ($25) — for floor exercises.
• Sturdy chair — already have. For balance, sit-to-stand.
• Wall counter — already have. For balance support.
• Foam roller ($25) — back & muscle release.
• Pulse oximeter ($25) — track during exercise.
• Stopwatch / phone timer — already have.

Daily 20-minute routine

1. Warm-up — 3 min walking in place.
2. Strength (10 min):
   • 10 sit-to-stands
   • 10 wall pushups
   • 15 bicep curls (each arm)
   • 15 overhead presses
   • 10 standing rows (resistance band)
3. Balance (5 min):
   • Heel-toe walk
   • 10-second single-leg stand each side
4. Stretch (2 min) — hamstrings, calves, shoulders.

Skip these (waste money)

• Treadmills — knees and price. Walk outside or mall.
• Peloton bike — $1,500 + $44/mo. Stationary bike at YMCA does same.
• Big home gyms — collect dust.
• Vibration plates — research is mixed.
• Ab machines — ineffective alone.
• Anything that promises "as seen on TV" miracle.

Add-ons if budget allows

• Bowflex Max Trainer — best low-impact cardio. $1,200.
• Stationary bike — $200-500 basic, $1,500+ Peloton-class.
• Recumbent bike — easiest on back/knees.
• Rowing machine — full-body, low-impact.
• Adjustable bench — $80-150.