Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong & Other General Fitness Apps for the Elderly - Part 1 - Android Exclusives

By Anna Hazard

View the Rest of the Series

Part 1 - Android Exclusives
Part 2 - iOS Exclusives
Part 3 - Cross Platform

Introduction

Here are a selection of Android exclusive exercise apps suitable for phones or tablets that are specifically targeted towards the elderly. In comparison to general fitness apps, these exercises are overall gentler, put less stress on joints, focus on senior relevant topics such as balance, arthritis, and limited range of movement. Many of these exercises can also be completed while remaining sitting for those seniors who may be wheelchair bound or otherwise have trouble standing for extended lengths of time.
 
In comparison to iOS exclusive or cross platform apps, these Android fitness apps tend to be completely free or free with ads or in-app premium content purchases.

Android Apps

Yoga Exercises for Seniors

• Android (Free with in-app purchases)
• Targeted exercises for those over 50+, these include gentle & non-strenuous stretches as poses such as staff pose, chair pose, and more.

CHAIR YOGA

• Android (Free with ads)
• Includes basic introduction to Chair Yoga, beginner poses, as well as poses for back pain relief, osteoarthritis, and easy poses for the elderly. Exercises & stretches are gentle with basic requirements including the ability to sit up in a chair while moving the torso and limbs.

Daily Senior Fitness Exercise

• Android (Free with ads)
• Contains pictorial guides to daily fitness routines that have been adjusted to target seniors as well as those who may be experiencing stiffness, soreness, discomfort or outright pain in various body parts such as the neck, back, or limbs.

Yoga For Reducing Knee Pain

• Android (Free with ads)
• A guide to videos for yoga exercises & routines that have been explicitly tailored to help increase strength, flexibility, and relieve the pressure on knee joints to provide joint & arthritis pain relief in the knees.

Arthritis Physio

• Android (Free)
• Offers extensive information on osteoarthritis as well as guides to exercises designed by physiotherapists which will help improve strength, flexibility, fitness, posture, core stability, balance and co-ordination in arthritis suffers.

Workout for Arthritis

• Android (Free with ads)
• Informative guide to dealing with the pain of osteoarthritis which includes a series of illustrated exercises meant for helping to keep flexible and controlling the pain of arthritic joints.

Physiotherapy Exercises Guide

• Android (Free with ads)
• Quick guide to exercises, stretches, and physical therapy for stiffness, strains, minor injuries & ailments particularly for the elderly, disabled, and occupationally injured. Therapy exercises are meant to help reduce pain &  strengthens the muscles with a particular focus on the back and knees

Wheelchair Exercises Free!

• Android (Free with ads)
• Exercises and games with video demonstrations that can be accomplished while sitting down and are particularly beneficial for those in wheel chairs.  Intended to help strengthen muscles, the 16 included exercises will require the use of weights or elastic bands.

Knee Pain Relieving Exercises

• Android | Website (Free with ads)
• General overview of dealing with knee pain both chronic & short term for children, adults, and the elderly. Includes exercises for joint stengthening & pain relief.