On yer Bike.... and exercise.... HELP

freesia

I'm sad, frustrated and feeling VERY 'down' due to weight gain....

I used to be really quite active but, arthur has knocked me for 6....

I have gained 1 stone in the last year, basicly due to lack of exercise...

Still using crutches - so not really able to do sports & hate swimming....

SO GETTING TO THE POINT....
I have been considering getting a mini pedal floor exercise bike...
I know we aren't allowed to advertise, but does anyone have any experience of these, or have any ideas or advise....
I have seen some cheaper ones on the web - but they look quite unsteady, and as this is a long term condition effecting both knees, I think I need to invest in something more substantial and longlasting...

HELP PLEASE.... I eat a fairly healthy diet - but still gaining weight... maybe its the medication too, BUT i'm getting really upset & worried..

stickywicket

I've two experiences of them, freesia, and, sadly, neither was good.

I first tried one in the physio dept at our local hospital. It had to go against a wall because otherwise it just 'travelled' across the laminate floor. I then tried one at home from the local disability shop. By then, my legs and knee bends were uneven. I pushed my strongest leg down and nearly dislocated the other hip. I'd strongly recommend you try before you buy.

It's hard to exercise with dodgy knees. My daily routine is leg exercises (on the bed) and more arm & leg exercises on an 'exercise horse' machine which also strengthens core muscles. I've just done about 1/2 mile walk with Mr SW but took the wheelchair and rode the rest. I can rarely manage that more than once a week.

There are also some good exercise DVDs. I have a R*s*m*ry C*nl*y Full Body Workout that you can do sitting down. And, our local authority has good rates for their leisure centre gyms where you are shown the equipment and helped to use it first time round.

elnafinn

Hi Freesia

I have got on with the exercise bike well. I have ridden my push bike most days locally so was used to cycling and much preferred to cycle than walk before both my knee replacements as it was non-weight bearing and I had no pain. After my first knee replacement in, I think 2008, we looked on the local Freecycle and picked an exercise bike up very quickly. People get these bikes thinking it a good idea and soon get bored with them or some other reason so they do seem to be around begging for a new home.

I have used that exercise bike every day for 4 years so far. I only do 10 minutes daily or thereabouts because of the boredom threshold. I do 3.5/3.6k in that time and when feeling very energetic can do it in 9.45 minutes. I always do this before I start to cook the evening meal.

The bike does take up room so it is in our little "office" but if for any reason I stop using it for any length of time it will be out of the door. I have worn the seat out one side with the pedalling so will have to buy a gel cover as it does not look too good!

I prefer the exercise bike I think rather than the pedal floor one because it is so sturdy and I feel really safe on it, but that is just my opinion.

I also do a stretching exercise regime 6 days out of 7 which includes 15 minutes of hula hooping. The other day I have a cleaning job which is more than a good workout, especially these days. :roll:

I wish you all the best with your new "venture".

Elna x

stickywicket

Elna might be able to tell us the answer to something I've wondered about ever since I tried the mini pedal thing. It seemd to me that one's body position is quite different to what it would be on a bike or an exercise bike ie with the mini pedaller I seemed to be pushing my feet forwards as much as downwards whereas, on a proper bike, or exercise bike, I seem to remember (from long, long ago :roll: ) that I mainly pushed downwards. I think pushing downwards would have meant I didn't have the hip problem.

elnafinn

Hi Sticky,

I have never actually used a mini pedal cycle. A lady older than myself had one though and I watched her demonstrate how it was done. I would agree that they are two completely different things. As I am used to a push bike, (a sit up and beg one ) it seemed much more to my liking to use a static exercise bike. I can change the tension up or down on it, if wished, see the calories used up and the speed I am going at, the time spent on the bike plus how many kilometres I achieve.

Elna x

lindalegs

I haven't used a mini pedal cycle either but I do use an exercise bike. Mine is a sturdy one so that I can lean on it as I mount and dismount. I also went to try them in shops before I bought as they're not all easy to get on or sometimes pedal as some pedals are set back.

To alleviate the boredom of regular use I watch DVDs whilst I cycle.

They are expensive so Elna's Freecycle suggestion is good or you could try Ebay.

Luv,

Folara

I know the feeling Hun. I'm the same but I'm in so much pain with my blasted knees, back and hip I have given up completely now.

However before I got too bad I was using my big exercise ball to keep my core muscles strong as they really help when you have a bad back and of course they are needed for the horse riding.

I've no real experience of the mini pedal cycles but I would just say don't try to do what you shouldn't for the sake of a few pounds in weight. I would hate to see you get suddenly worse and in more pain.

Why don't you see if you can have a one-off session with a local fitness instructor. They are trained to help people like us as well as the able bodied (fitness fanatics!). I got a lot of help from a friend who is one and she gave me lots of advise for the ball exercises.

Fols x

elainebadknee

Fresia

I got one of these machines and they are not very good, like others said it moves around a lot and i think its okay for some but for a lot of people its just not suitable...Dont waste your money..
I dont know if you have access to a gym but if so the recumbent bike where you and sat back more and the knees are not having so much pressure on them from the position of the pedals is better for us with knee problems...That may be an option...Another thing I do is with or without ankle weights I do my knee bend exercises in a chair (straighten leg out then bend as far as you can, repeat, I do 20 at a time along with straight leg raises)....I would say swimming too is a gentler exercise but I got to hydrotherapy.....
Good luck its not easy when youre restricted and they are on at you to lose the weight, easier said than done!!

Elainex

freesia wrote:

I'm sad, frustrated and feeling VERY 'down' due to weight gain....

I used to be really quite active but, arthur has knocked me for 6....

I have gained 1 stone in the last year, basicly due to lack of exercise...

Still using crutches - so not really able to do sports & hate swimming....

SO GETTING TO THE POINT....
I have been considering getting a mini pedal floor exercise bike...
I know we aren't allowed to advertise, but does anyone have any experience of these, or have any ideas or advise....
I have seen some cheaper ones on the web - but they look quite unsteady, and as this is a long term condition effecting both knees, I think I need to invest in something more substantial and longlasting...

HELP PLEASE.... I eat a fairly healthy diet - but still gaining weight... maybe its the medication too, BUT i'm getting really upset & worried..

diamond

Hi Freesia,I bought mini pedal exerciser of internet about ten days ago using to strenghthen legs after tkr.I paid £31.50 and i find it very good.I originally ordered from different supplier and after one week phoned to see what had happened to my order was told it was out of stock,they did not even e mail me to let me know.It was a cheaper version so probably would have been rubbish.T he one i have has digital counter and is sturdy does stay in place when using would recommend this model,firm delivered next day no charge.Google mini pedal exerciser i ordered from Phy*io Su*pl*es.I have a exercise bike but even with seat fully raised found it too difficult to use.They have a lot of reviews on their site some from people who have had tkr surgery.I personally use a similiar one at my weekly physio class so i knew it helped me.

deedeeitsme

Never used one hun, fell off bikes more times than was on them . Good luck with whatever you choose and hope it helps with the weight loss.

Dee x

freesia

Thanks for all your tips 'guys & girls'....

I have taken the plunge and purchased one.... It weighs 11 kilos so a decent quality and doesn't move accross the floor when pedalling.

Did 4 kilometers on my first try and it's MARVELLOUS, very smooth...

Gonna try 15 minutes a day and see how I go...

VERY PLEASED

SteveBurns

I was chatting with people today at Physio, one nice old lady who uses the foot pedal thingy and said it wasn't much good as it moves away from her, its in her kitchen and has it wedged against a cupboard, she thinks it does some good so uses it daily.

The other, a bloke who bought an exercise bike for £10 not so long ago and uses it every day for about ten minutes.

He is 6 weeks post op and his leg bend is so good that he was discharged today. He says the bike has done that for him.

I asked the Physio about using an exercise bike and she said not to as my range of movement is not good enough. 85 degree bend.

barbara12

freesia wrote:

Thanks for all your tips 'guys & girls'....

I have taken the plunge and purchased one.... It weighs 11 kilos so a decent quality and doesn't move accross the floor when pedalling.

Did 4 kilometers on my first try and it's MARVELLOUS, very smooth...

Gonna try 15 minutes a day and see how I go...

VERY PLEASED

Good for you Freesia...this will make a big difference to your muscle, has you know they get weaker without exercise, and boy do we need good muscle when your knees and hips are playing up.
And it will give your mood a lift, people forget this about exercise, it releases endorphins , so you carry on the good work xx

stickywicket

Well done, freesia! Onwards and upwards. Don't get discouraged if you have a blip. Just carry on where you left off.

diamond

Glad you got one and finding it usefull.

phoenixoxo

Hi Freesia,

Great news! 4km on your first try sounds very impressive to me, and sticky's right that if you have a blip that's all it is.

Happy pedalling!
Phoebe