Claire Jenkins
Fitness Trainer
ACSM-CEP, MS, RYT-200
Our fitness needs may shift as we move through different stages of life, but one thing remains constant: exercise is essential at every age. From building athletic performance in your teens to supporting health and longevity in middle age and beyond, movement is a cornerstone of overall well-being.
Having the right equipment can make your fitness routine easier and more effective. The right tools not only enhance performance but also encourage motivation, consistency, and lasting results. In this guide, we’ll highlight some of our favorite equipment for each life stage and explain how to use it to get the most out of your health and fitness journey.
Fitness Equipment for Teens (12-17 years)
At this stage of life, the focus is typically on sports performance and enjoyment. Engaging, game-like workouts can build general conditioning, strength, and injury resilience, while also fostering body confidence and supporting healthy growth during puberty. Exercise plays an important role in balancing mental health and counteracting the modern lifestyle, which often includes long hours sitting and using technology. The goal is to make movement both fun and beneficial for overall development. Here are a few great options:
Fitness Jump Rope (SF-JR01-BK)
Jump ropes have been a staple of many childhoods because they’re fun! Plus, an added bonus is that jumping rope helps improve cardiovascular conditioning, coordination, and agility. (1) This type of workout can be done outside, in a living room, or at a gym so it’s extremely versatile and easy to use.
Medicine Ball 4 - 30 LB (SF-EB03-4)
Another piece of equipment touted for its versatility is the medicine ball. This is great for teens who are focused on building power, core strength, and balance. It’s an excellent option for young athletes who are looking to boost their sport performance.
Fitness Equipment for Young Adults (18-29 years)
In young adulthood, fitness goals will vary from person to person so your preferred equipment will vary as well. Look to your fitness goals to determine what is going to work the best for you. In general, focusing a bit of time on cardiovascular training, strength training, and mobility work will set you up well.
Commercial Level Ergonomic Manual Treadmill (SF-X7100)
This top-of-the-line manual treadmill will make your walk, run, or interval workout feel like a breeze. The curved deck design promotes your natural running mechanics, so your stride feels smooth and effortless. If you’re interested in interval training or HIIT style workouts, the lack of electronic controls makes it easy to transition your pace in seconds – everything is controlled entirely by you.
Sunny Strength Premium Adjustable Dumbbell 55 LBS (SF-DB01-055)
Most young adults have smaller living spaces, such as shared apartments or dorm rooms, so this adjustable dumbbell will fit right into that lifestyle. These dumbbells can be used for any strength exercise to help improve muscular strength, bone health, and functional movement.
Anti-Slip Dual Color Exercise Yoga Mat (SF-EM02-GY)
A yoga mat is great to have on hand as you can use it for a variety of workout types. The non-slip surface of this mat will keep you in place when moving through your yoga practice, but it’s also cushioned enough that you can easily complete your post-workout stretch session on a softer surface. It’s an excellent tool to help you work on your mobility comfortably.
Fitness Equipment for Adults (30-64 years)
As with young adults, fitness goals will depend on each individual person in adulthood. At 30 years old, your goals may be entirely different than your 30-year-old best friend’s goals and this will determine what type of equipment you choose to invest in. However, looking at general health and fitness, every adult should be implementing exercise that promotes longevity so you can enter your senior years with as much independence and ease as possible. Here are some great tools to make that happen.
Sunny Strength® Vinyl Coated Kettle Bells 5 - 25 lbs (NO. 066-10)
Strength training is vital for building strength, functionality, and boosting bone and metabolic health. (2) Kettlebells can be a fun way to change up your strength training routine, especially if you’re used to solely training with dumbbells or resistance bands. Another added benefit is that many kettlebell exercises help with training the cardiovascular system too!
Premium Smart Magnetic Air Rower with Extended Rail (SF-RW5940SMART)
As you reach middle age, you might notice that high impact exercise just doesn’t feel as good in your body as it once did. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up hope on your cardio routine! The rower is an excellent piece of equipment that keeps your workout intensity high but the impact on your joints low. Use it for endurance, speed workouts, or steady state cardio – the options are endless.
Fitness Equipment for Seniors (65+ years)
As you move into your older adult years, exercise is more important than ever for maintaining health and independence. Even though you might be experiencing some new aches and pains that make exercising feel impossible, there are an assortment of options to keep you moving in a way that feels good.
Smart Under Desk Mini Elliptical Exercise Trainer (SF-E323017)
This tiny but mighty machine keeps your legs moving and your heart pumping from any room in your house. You don’t need a home gym or a ton of extra space to make it work. The mini elliptical can help with improving heart health, increasing circulation, and promoting light muscular activation. Even if walking is not in the cards for you, this little machine allows you to continue to move.
Resistance Tube Set - 10-50 lbs (NO. 089-COMBO)
Many older adults worry about falls and subsequent injury. The good news is a good strength training regimen can reduce that risk. (3) This resistance tube set is an easy way to build a strength routine at home that can focus on improving muscular strength, stability, and bone mineral density. Building muscle is possible at any age!
Find What Works for You
Exercise should be a constant throughout your various life stages, as it is vital for overall wellness and longevity. While your goals and abilities may change with time, there are always various equipment options to keep you active and working towards bettering your health. We’re cheering you on at every age!
Disclaimer: At Sunny Health & Fitness, we encourage anyone who is new to exercise, or planning to significantly increase their workout intensity, to consult with their personal medical provider first to ensure they are ready for physical activity.
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