thinking about buying a exercse bike, is this a good idea for someone with AF, not sure of what type i should get, any ideas ?

[steviebabe]

AF and exercise

[Jalia]

My initial reaction to your post is.....get one which will enable you to hang as many clothes on it as possible😆....as this is so often what happens when the initial enthusiasm wears off !

Seriously though you can get one which will monitor your heart rate ,which I have, so will prevent you overdoing things and all sorts of other bits and pieces. Depends on the size of your wallet and space available.

My physio highly recommends the stationary bike particularly for arthritis ( not that you asked that...)

[cycleman73 in reply to Jalia]

Hilarious !!

[irene75359 in reply to Jalia]

You have made me laugh out loud - exactly what happened when I had an exercise bike some years ago!

[etheral]

I have afib and CHF

I use a recumbent stationary bike made by MARCY. It is totally adjustable and moniters my heart rate and rythyms. It is much more comfortable than upright bike Used previously . IAM in the US so I don't know if that brand is available over there. But in any case I would look in to a recumbent bike.

[RiderontheStorm]

I bought a comfortable Hybrid bike that I can ride anywhere and when the weather gets bad I can put it on a trainer inside and pedal inside. Much more enjoyable for me riding rather than walking with a bad back. You can get real bicycles pretty inexpensively used online.

[Gincalpe]

I use a strap and watch heart monitor on my bike on a trainer indoors. The heart monitor ensures you don’t go too fast or hard as they recommend moderate exercise only with AF.

[jeanjeannie50]

Stevie, I had a large heavy exercise bike which used up room in my office. I would get on it every so often and then think I mustn't do too much to start with. These mustn't do too much episodes occurred about once every three months. I had it for many years until a friend said she wanted one, then I was glad to give it to her. I had such good intentions! I have a real bike in the garage, it just needs a service and I've been talking about getting that done for years. I'd suggest you buy a second hand one and then see if you really will use it.

Jean

[Peanutts]

Hi.

I bought a recumbent bike.. This is one where its more like sitting in an armchair.. Main reason being I am only just 5ft so cannot reach pedals on a normal upright. It is way more comfy and easier to ride. It measures heartbeat.. And pulse as well as other things I haven't yet looked at.

It was a Marcey Recumbent bike Model. No ME-709.it was about £100 from Amazon Its really small lightweight and easy to move plus stands on its end when not in use

I hired one for a couple of months before buying one to see what it was like. It was bigger than my own but gives you an idea what to expect before you buy. There are lots of companies who hire and they deliver and set it up. It was about £15 per week paid monthly.

Hope that helps.. I love mine try to do half an hour morning and evening and certainly has helped me. Good luck.

[chesson]

Hi,

Whatever type of stationary exercise bike you get, the hard part is consistently using it. My trick is to listen to an audiobook whilst on the bike (audible.co.uk). Time passes very quickly and sometimes you even want to do a extra few minutes to get to the end of an interesting bit ! I have a one day on, one day off, routine for 30 minutes and have been doing it for 8 years now with hardly a missed session. I started the bike after a blocked coronary which was stented, since I had difficulty getting back to normal energy levels. It really helped with my fitness level. I had an isolated episode of AF in early 2017 which was cardioverted back to NSR and finally an ablation a year later so that I could stop the bisoprolol and amiodarone. I stopped the bike for a few weeks after AF episode until back in NSR and have continued ever since. Some people say intense activity can trigger AF, but when you get to 70, intense activity is usually a distant memory. I certainly sweat after a bike session but keep my heart rate within reasonable levels. Good luck with your choice.

[cycleman73 in reply to chesson]

…..but when you get to 70 intense activity is usually a distant past memory"..... OK I'm well past 70 and still going at it hell for leather, long may it continue !!

[cycleman73]

With due respect stationary bikes can become tediously boring after a while. I strongly suggest you buy yourself an outdoor bike upon which you can take yourself for a ride

around your local parks ( hopefully they exist in your area). Could do your AF the world

of good and no doubt you will surely find out. You will also become considerably fitter and

happier with yourself and your circumstances. I have yet to meet a miserable cyclist in my many years of living on two wheels. Hope you really enjoy the endorphins with all your

exercise. Good luck !

[john-boy-92 in reply to cycleman73]

I agree and suggest that a good turbo trainer as well - such as Cycleops -would allow outdoor and indoor rides. If your atrial fibrillation / atrial flutter doesn't produce symptoms, a heart monitor can be useful. Be careful in setting it up so that the saddle height and reach to the handle bars doesn't play up your knees and back. I used to have a bike on a turbo trainer until it was pinched from the garden and, I became partially sighted thanks to a stroke. I now have a second hand Concept 2 type D rowing machine that is better for exercising a wider range of muscles compared to a bike.

[gateman]

My neighbour is a keen cyclist and I saw him miserable when a passing lorry knocked him into a ditch. A bit of a bleed worry that put me off.

[cycleman73 in reply to gateman]

Unfortunate for your neighbour, that is exactly why the local parks were suggested to ride

his bike. The sooner folks give up their cars the sooner we will have more open roads. Near to where I live all streets are lined with cars both sides. Up to four cars parked up in what used to be front gardens. All main roads in most of our cities have become "traffic sewers".

Where is the sense in that ? Pungent acrid air we all now are forced to breathe, and that's no good for your AF either.

[Dodie117]

I have both - outdoor and indoor stationary. I find it difficult to feel safe on the outdoor one but use the indoor one 30mins 4 or 5 time a week. I would say buy a basic model (about £100) and used at lowest setting it puts little strain on your heart. It will monitor your speed. Heart rate and distance.

I have knee problem and this was recommended by my physio.

It’s boring but l listen to music or book or watch tv and it’s fine.

Good luck

[JudyMarieC]

I use a recumbent bike for 30 minutes a day. I was diagnosed with Afib and Aflutter about 3 years ago and had a pacemaker for bradycardia in March, 2019. I usually read, do crosswords or watch TV while on the bike which makes 30 minutes go by quickly.

[Ianc2]

Go and try the bikes in your local gym. If you fall off there is someone to help. You can also do a bit of walking and a bit of rowing. 20 minutes on each and you will be well away. Now is a good time before the post new year surge hits.

Regular walking in the great outdoors is also great and costs nowt apart from some wet weather gear Try a mile a day. Get a fitbit or similar to keep track of your antics. Join the local ramblers if you like it.

[HiloHairy]

Are you aware of elliptical exercisers? Personally, I find them less boring then stationary bikes though if I was going to buy a stationary bike, for comfort I would certainly buy a recumbent one. As well as being less boring ellipticals give a more thorough full body workout and better aerobic exercise.