While many view older people as weak, many seniors are super active and strong enough to engage in various activities. However, they can’t just use any equipment—seniors don’t have the impressive strength that comes with youth. Instead, they search for senior-friendly workout products to help them workout safely and effectively.
Are you ready to curate a workout inventory to attract older consumers? Keep reading to find five sports gear items for seniors that are gaining attention in 2024.
Table of Contents
What’s the state of the fitness equipment market?
5 sports gear items perfect for seniors hoping to stay fit
3 surefire ways retailers can attract more seniors to their fitness stores
Last words
What’s the state of the fitness equipment market?
The global fitness equipment market reached US $16.04 billion in 2022, with projections expecting it to reach US $24.93 billion at a 5.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) by 2030. The market’s driving factors include rising health awareness, increasing disposable income, and corporate wellness programs. The fitness equipment market caters to residential and commercial needs, with the former generating most of the income.
In addition, the cardiovascular segment was the most profitable in 2022, while the home consumer category accounted for over 51% of the total revenue. North America also dominated the market due to the region’s high health consciousness and obesity rates.
5 sports gear items perfect for seniors hoping to stay fit
1. Resistance bands
Seniors need a safe and effective way to stay active and fit. Thankfully, resistance bands fit the description perfectly. These versatile elastic bands can help target different muscle groups or give seniors a satisfying full-body workout. They also don’t have a set resistance, like free weights.
Instead, resistance bands provide more resistance the harder seniors pull them. Hence, older consumers can always work a sweat within their comfort zone. Beyond that, the gradual resistance is more forgiving on the joints, so seniors with joint issues or limited mobility can do various activities without drawbacks.
Resistance bands also have ergonomic handles to give seniors a more comfortable grip. Additionally, some brands have developed resistance band sets specifically designed for seniors. Most include instructional guides and exercises tailored to the average senior’s needs and abilities. According to Google data, resistance bands raked in 368,000 searches in May 2024.
2. Walking poles
Walking is a perfect example of a senior-friendly exercise. But some seniors can’t do it on their own. Instead of requiring human assistance, they can enjoy short but fulfilling treks with walking poles. These fitness products give seniors access to a low-impact, full-body workout, which helps improve their cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and overall fitness.
Offering stability and support is the primary purpose of walking poles. They also help stabilize the user’s balance and coordination, meaning seniors can avoid falling while using walking poles. Even joint issues can’t stop seniors from enjoying a fulfilling trek with walking poles, as they absorb all the shock and impact generated from footsteps.
Many walking poles have adopted ergonomic grips to improve comfort when seniors use them for extended periods of time. However, some models take things further by offering adjustable straps that older consumers can easily customize to fit different hand sizes, ensuring a snug and supportive fit. More importantly, walking poles have gotten 90,500 searches in May 2024.
3. Yoga mats
Walking and stretching with resistance bands are great, but what if seniors just want regular exercise? They also need support to do something as simple as regular stretching. That’s where yoga mats (with 450,000 searches monthly in 2024) come in. These mats act as comfortable and supportive cushions for seniors to do many exercises and stretches without joint pain or discomfort.
More importantly, seniors can work out as much as they like without worrying about falling on yoga mats. They often have non-slip surfaces that provide more than enough stability to prevent accidents. Plus, yoga mats are light enough for seniors to move around the house or travel with.
But that’s not all. Yoga mats have evolved to better accommodate the needs of seniors, primarily by focusing on enhanced cushioning and support. Many mats now come in extra-thick options, providing additional padding to cushion joints and sensitive pressure points during exercises. Additionally, some mats feature a textured surface designed to provide a more secure grip, minimizing the risk of slips and falls during practice.
4. Stability balls
Seniors don’t like the way they lose stability as they grow older. With age comes the risk of poor balance, more falls, and bad posture. However, stability balls can help older consumers counter the decline in core muscle strength.
Additionally, all exercises seniors can do with stability balls are low-impact, meaning they won’t have to worry about joint strain and pain. Older customers can use them for gentle stretches and more challenging core workouts. Whatever stability exercises seniors need, they can achieve them with these balls.
Since seniors are not like youths, manufacturers have made senior-specific updates to stability balls. They now have deeper, textured surfaces to provide better grip and prevent slipping. Some variants come with base rings or feet to stop the ball from rolling away when not in use—seniors don’t need safety hazards in their homes. Stability balls are also popular—they averaged 110,000 searches in May 2024.
5. Aquatic dumbbells
Older folks may not be able to pump iron like they used to, but that doesn’t mean they can’t keep working on their arm strength. Enter aquatic dumbbells, the safest way for seniors to get the experience of lifting weights without the muscle stress. Instead of weights, these dumbbells use water’s buoyancy to make a low-impact yet effective way for seniors to build strength.
Additionally, aqua dumbbells are a good way to introduce seniors to water exercises. They are an enjoyable and refreshing way for these older folks to stay active. Plus, water exercises help promote relaxation and reduce stress—two things seniors need at their age. Aqua dumbbells generated a healthy 3,600 searches in May 2024.
3 surefire ways retailers can attract more seniors to their fitness stores
Targeted advertising
What better way to reach seniors than to find them in the places they frequently visit? Seniors love print media, local community centers, senior-specific magazines, and social media platforms (especially Facebook), so advertising on these channels will be a great start. However, marketing fitness products to seniors in their domain requires some creativity.
Retailers must tailor their messages to show the health benefits of seniors working out, like improved balance, joint health, and overall well-being. Then, using relatable imagery, such as photos of active seniors, in marketing materials will be the final icing on the cake.
Educational content
Businesses can go the educational content route by developing blog posts, articles, or videos explaining the benefits of exercise for seniors and how their products can help them achieve their fitness goals. Retailers can also collaborate with physical therapists or fitness trainers to offer free workshops and webinars on senior-friendly exercise routines. To attract more eyes, show success stories of seniors who have used the offered products to improve their health and well-being.
Accessibility and convenience
Most seniors will have trouble navigating complex online stores. So, businesses must provide a user-friendly interface with clear product descriptions and easy navigation. It’s a great way to attract seniors who prefer online shopping. In-store businesses can organize demonstrations or consultations instead, allowing seniors to try out the products and receive guidance from knowledgeable staff. Lastly, consider providing convenient delivery options or in-home setup services for larger items like stability balls or other exercise equipment.
Last words
Old age is not a reason to exercise, and many seniors seem to agree. Manufacturers are constantly creating new ways for seniors to stay fit without risking their health and safety. Hence, many safe workout products are available to help elderly consumers enjoy the thrill of exercise.
Five popular options include resistance bands, walking poles, yoga mats, stability balls, and aqua dumbbells. Stock them up, and use the three tips discussed in this article to attract more seniors into the fitness game in 2024. Want more insightful content like this? Subscribe to Alibaba Reads’ sports section for all the latest updates.
