5 Black Friday deals for over-50s looking to to build muscle, lose weight and stay fit

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Jump to:

1. Fitness trackers
2. Walking pads
3. Resistance bands
4. Massage guns
5. Yoga mat

There are always good Black Friday deals on fitness equipment, from home gym kit like weights and treadmills to smartwatches and fitness trackers. However, there's so much on offer, and so much conflicting advice about what to get, that it's difficult to know what to buy.

I'm here to help. If you're over 50, or you're buying for someone that's over 50, the kinds of products you'll look for are different to someone buying fitness equipment in their 20s and 30s. We're looking at longevity-orientated equipment, simple set-and-forget fitness trackers and low-intensity exercise and recovery tools.

1. Fitness trackers

The best fitness trackers are unobtrusive devices that help the user monitor their health. It's not just about how many steps you've taken that day – although that's very useful information to keep you hitting your fitness goals – but it's also about overall health.

Many fitness trackers like the Fitbit Charge 6 have ECG and sleep tracking functionalities that can help you keep an eye out for signs of atrial fibrilation and sleep apnea, making them great for spotting and treating these conditions early. You can check out the deal below, or shop our list of the best Fitbit Black Friday deals.

2. Walking pads

One of the dangers of retirement is the risk of sliding into a sedentary lifestyle. When it comes to low-impact, low-intensity activity, it's hard to beat walking – it's what our bodies are designed to do, after all. The best under-desk treadmills or walking pads are perfect purchases to facilitate this – easy to slide under a sofa or bed when not in use, and great for getting your steps in while watching TV.

3. Resistance bands

I recommend resistance bands to everyone who exercises, but especially older people. For my money, they're the best-value fitness kit considering how cheap they are. I gifted my dad a set of bands, and he uses them regularly to put more power into his golf swing. I use the Fitbeast bands I've linked below.

With a bit of imagination and the included door-hook, you can replicate almost any exercise machine in the comfort of your own home, and work every muscle group. They're a lot safer to use than weights as there's very little risk of injury, and it's extremely important for adults to maintain muscle in later life, as strength is directly proportionate to heart health and injury risk.

4. Massage guns

The best massage guns aid in recovery, reduce soreness and improve range of motion. If you're buying for someone that frequently complains of stiff shoulders, a sore lower back and so on, a massage gun is like buying a voucher for unlimited massages for the price of one device.

The Theragun Sense's triangle shape allows the user to hold it in different positions, making it easier to hit hard-to-reach muscle groups.

5. Yoga mat

Finally, stretching is just as important as cardio and strength when it comes to a healthy, lifelong body. Range of motion is a challenge for many older adults as muscles and joints stiffen up with age: regular stretching is a great way to not just combat this, but also to encourage circulation. It's why yoga is so popular with so many age groups.

A good yoga mat is essential, and although expensive, Liforme yoga mats are well-known as some of the best non-slip, eco-friendly mats on the market.