Best abdominal device for seniors?

[StevenYoo]

My 64 year old father wants to do more ab exercises, but he's no longer strong enough to do situps and is very uncomfortable with crunches.

Of all the devices out there that work your abs, which is best for seniors will limited strength and mobility?

Swiss ball?
Ab Rocket?

thanks

 

[Kipper]

What aspect of the crunch makes him "uncomfortable?"

Call me old-fashioned but none of these machines/devices can really replace the sit-up. Besides, there is very little involved with lying on the floor. If you ask me, the risk of injury using something like a Swiss ball is even higher with the elderly.

Does your father do any other sort of exercise? That might be the first place to start, rather than doing just "ab exercises."

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: Kipper
What aspect of the crunch makes him "uncomfortable?"

Call me old-fashioned but none of these machines/devices can really replace the sit-up. Besides, there is very little involved with lying on the floor. If you ask me, the risk of injury using something like a Swiss ball is even higher with the elderly.

Does your father do any other sort of exercise? That might be the first place to start, rather than doing just "ab exercises."

+1

 

[Howard]

Maybe he should start with swimming.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I would suggest seeing a doctor or physical therapist to help him develop a strengthening program.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
I would suggest seeing a doctor or physical therapist to help him develop a strengthening program.

:thumbsup: Older people who have been sedentary for a long part of their lives often need specially tailored programs to help them build up the requisite strength. I would highly recommend seeing a good trainer and getting advice from them, even if you only use their program for a few months to rebuild basic functional strength.

 

[Deeko]

He should do starting strength

 

[wwswimming]

Originally posted by: StevenYoo
My 64 year old father wants to do more ab exercises, but he's no longer strong enough to do situps and is very uncomfortable with crunches.

Of all the devices out there that work your abs, which is best for seniors will limited strength and mobility?

Swiss ball?
Ab Rocket?

thanks

got to work on the strength & mobility. plus the fact that in the process of trying to get healthy, he could give himself a heart attack.

could be aquacize, could be walking around the block. whatever he starts out doing, it needs to be FUN, so that he'll keep doing it.

plus someone needs to tell him, if he ever feels dizzy before, during, or after a workout, he needs to lie down. in other words, to not stress himself trying to get in shape, to take it slow & easy.

i think sometimes when people get the idea to "work on their abs" later in life, it's because they realize they look and/or feel old.

if he wants to feel young again, he should also (probably) work on his diet.

 

[spamsk8r]

Originally posted by: Deeko
He should do starting strength

I see what you did there 😉