Treadmills and exercise bikes for physiotherapy

For rehab, look at the minimum speed before the maximum. Post-op patients and older adults start slow, around 0.6 mph (1 km/h), and a treadmill that only starts above that leaves out exactly that group. Long side rails that follow the whole stride are worth more than a console full of programs.

For bikes, the recumbent, with a backrest, is the rehab one: less load on the spine and easier access for patients with limited hip or knee flexion. The upright suits the conditioning of someone who already walks well. On both, check the maximum user weight, which on home equipment usually sits between 220 and 285 lb (100–130 kg).