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Exercise bikes!

Posted , 7 users are following.

Camper
Camper

I have noticed that several people refer to the benefits of using an exercise bike to get full knee movement back after the TKR.  With my MS I cannot balance on a proper static gym type cycle but in the past I have used one of the small pedal only ones that can be used whilst seated on a chair as a form of exercise when weather does not allow safe outdoor walking.  Is using the bike something the physios have recommended as I would hate to do anything at all to jeopardize my recovery because at 70 I am no spring chicken!!

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • joy24273
    joy24273 Camper

    Posted

    Hi 

    I was was going to borrow a bike but decided against it, although the small ones that you can use when seated sound good ( especially for you with your balance). Nobody  at my physio has recommended a bike and the doctor was pleased with my bend and straightening at six weeks . When I walk I try to lift my leg up as if marching and do lots  of bends holding on to a chair or work top in the kitchen. I don't intend to ride a bike when I am completely better but will do lots of walking so will manage without the  exercise bike. 

  • suzidownunder
    suzidownunder Camper

    Posted

    Hi - when i told my physio i havn't a static bike and had sold my bicycle and my motorbike, they advised me to get a pedal exerciser. It's cheap but very efficient and you use it for your legs or arms. To tone and keep fit.

    I have one at home and one at work and use them both.

    Just sit and read or watch tele while i exercise!

  • suzidownunder
    suzidownunder Camper

    Posted

    Hi - when i told my physio i havn't a static bike and had sold my bicycle and my motorbike, they advised me to get a pedal exerciser. It's cheap but very efficient and you use it for your legs or arms. To tone and keep fit.

    I have one at home and one at work and use them both.

    Just sit and read or watch tele while i exercise!

  • archemedes
    archemedes Camper

    Posted

    Hello there. You have made an interesting point here, and that has affected me also.

    It is all well and good Physios recommending something to use for exercise but if it doesn't suit the user, then it's a waste of money.

    I like you am 70 years of age and I suffer from aSpinal Stenosis for which the physio recommended me to buy an exercise bike, so I bought one of the cheaper ones. When I found that did not work and still believing what I had been told by the Physio, I went out and bought an expensive one, which also was no good for me.

    So here I am hundreds of pounds out of pocket while the Physio (so I have been told) is still giving out this information about these machines to everyone.

    The simple truth is that everyone is different, and what suits one person may not suit the rest.

    For this reason I would advise you to try well BEFORE you buy, or as an alternative go to a Gym where there is a competent trainer who can help you.

    Incidentally, are you a Camper, or have you selected that name out of the hat?

    I still caravan for three months of the year and tent for two months. It is great fun. 

    • suzidownunder
      suzidownunder archemedes

      Posted

      That's why i opted for the pedal exerciser - just $45 and very easy to use smile
    • archemedes
      archemedes suzidownunder

      Posted

      Yes, my cheaper one was about £90, but it didn't suit me at all, and the one that cost £275 was the same. I the end I gave them both away - waste on money in my case.

      As I say, I think it all depends on the person and the type of injury.

      Incidentally, how are things down-under (I mean in Oz, if that is where you are based)?

    • Camper
      Camper archemedes

      Posted

      Hello Archemedes and many thanks for your reply.  Yes I am a camper!  When all children young my husband and I carried a tent each and off the five of us would go with our rucksacks.  Great and cheap fun.  Nowadays my husband and I have a small campervan - a Citroen Relay van that we had converted to our own specification.  We have nine grandchildren and one great granddaughter so selfishly our little van is only a two seater with one fixed double bed!!!!!!!  
    • archemedes
      archemedes Camper

      Posted

      It still does the job though, and I bet the fun you get out of it is the same as you would get with any camping outfit.

      We have a double axle island bed Bailey caravan that we leave permanently sited in the South of England, and tend to spend in the region of 8 weeks a year there.

      Providing all goes well when my wife retires next year, we might go there for 3 to six month at a time - can't wait.

    • sky1996
      sky1996 Camper

      Posted

      Camping suddenly sounds fun again
  • sky1996
    sky1996 Camper

    Posted

    I think the pedal machines  you are talking about work quite well!  One of my brothers brought one over and I used that before my balance was good enough to climb on the stationary bike.  I kinda wished I still had it but my father (87) came over and thought he might use it so of course by default it goes to him!  Great folks.  Dad is 87 and mom 83.  Dad is having balance issues but they just do not give up!!   love them!
  • sue29174
    sue29174 Camper

    Posted

    I am thinking about getting one of these so I look forward to some replies xx
  • lynn08926
    lynn08926 Camper

    Posted

    Hi,

    I invested in a small pedal machine after my first TKR as, firstly, we don't have room for a static bike and, secondly, I knew it would only get limited use.

    I found it extremely helpful for getting my knee moving - first just rocking backwards and forwards and oh! the elation when I first did a full revolution!

    My physiotherapist thought it was a great idea, but best check with the powers that be before starting yourself.

    Lynn 9 months post op (knee number two next week!.

    • Camper
      Camper lynn08926

      Posted

      Going back to see hospital physio in a couple of weeks Lynn so will ask about the little pedal exerciser then.  Thanks 
    • lynn08926
      lynn08926 Camper

      Posted

      Bought mine from Amazon.  Around £25 if I remember correctly.

      Good luck.

  • anne07663
    anne07663 Camper

    Posted

    At physio she had me on the sit down pedal bike. And I was very excited when I was able to do a full revolution too. I have a bicycle at home so I looked on line and found on Amazon a sort of a stand with a tension bar on it. It turned my outdoor bike into a stationery one that can snap out as soon as I can ride outside. 
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