Rowing machine??

[Woolly-gal]

I have fairly severe COPD but need to exercise more. Thinking of a rowing machine for during the winter months. Has anyone got one, any good? or am I just dolly daydreaming that I will be able to use it?

[pepparuby1]

Good idea but a cheaper way would be resistant bands from amazon and sit on the floor !!!

[CDPO16]

Had one but found it very hard to use. Consultant at the time thought using arms and legs together was too much and suggested exercise bike instead. Tried that for a while and now have a treadmill. I also have dumbells for arm exercises.

[Jandm]

If you build up slowly then it’s a good machine to have. If your having a less that brilliant day then you can use your upper body just to pull and maintain muscle tone and strength. It all depends on how fit you are. Bikes are also good as gravity helps with peddling. Whatever you decide, exercise of any form is always of benefit

[KC2222]

I got a recumbent exercise bike (sitting in a seat ), found it ok to use and built up over time

[Tryfan]

They are a good all round exercise system. But harder than you think. You may well be disappointed at how little you can do at the start. You have to build up slowly. Maybe just 3 or 4 minutes at the start on a low resistant setting. Slowly build up. After research we purchased ours from Argos. Other outlets available.

[Hidden]

I've had one for years never use it now. It's a very strenuous form of exercise even on it's lowest setting. It also takes up far more room than a cycle unless you struggle to stand it on-end each time you want to use it. You can jump on a bike at any time and it covers a wider range of difficulty.

[MMaud]

I have a mountain bike on a static trainer arrangement, which makes it like an exercise bike. It lives outdoors, under an awning, for shelter from the weather.

One thing I like about it is if I don't feel much like having a "bike ride", I usually persuade myself to get on with it, but I have an arrangement whereby I can have my iPad at an appropriate level and watch something on iPlayer or YouTube to distract me.

[whistler]

I have a rebounder because it only takes 3 minutes gentle use to get lymph moving. I tried every keep fit thing going, literally everything, including those jigglers you stand on and everything wobbles, evern they were harsh on me, and gave them all away but rebounders for keeps. I keep my feet flat to the mat all the time and bounce gently without much effort. On better days I can work a little harder, whatever suits me. It apparently takes 3 minutes to get lymph to start moving, and since movement achieves that, gentle gentle effort giving more bounce than can be managed on the floor is achievable, its out all the time so I can get on here and there through the day. Best thing Ive found so far. If balance is a problem use a stability bar for it, if its high for your step up get a half step to lessen that. Oh, and if you are especially rough, you can sit on the mat with feet on floor and have someone else bounce on the mat, it still moves you and benefits you even that way. Hope you find something to suit.

[christyj in reply to whistler]

I got a rebounder last lockdown. Like yourself I take it steady. Does it work? I have used it every day since I bought it and feel so much better!

[whistler in reply to christyj]

I looked into it some time back, and had books, the result was learning that if you cant rebound yourself, sit on the mat and let someone else do gentle bouncing for you and it still has benefits even like that. I aim for the 3 minutes to get lymph moving to shift the build up in it from poor health at least because that was meant to be minimum needed to achieve health, if I cant do more, but built up very slowly to 30 mins daily and for me its a real help, I wish Id kept the info now, it included medical sources. I sought both heart and also lung rehab and neither would risk accepting me so I had nobody to help at all, even GP wouldnt commit to tell me what to do. I cant tell you to follow my doing because Im not professional medical etc, but please research it thoroughly. Im 66 and on my own, with umpteen health issues including heart and lung but the rebounder, really gently even, still helps. I keep my feet flat to the mat and never ever jump, but bounce nonetheless, and use cds selected for various speeds, from really slow to a beat I can sidestep or walk on the spot to, and theres always arm pumping on its own if you want to just help arms get stronger. I tried every keep fit gadget and gizmo around and none helped like rebounder is. I started with 15 to 30 seconds several times through the day and built up from there. Final words, I would not risk it without my stabilizer bar to balance me, and I love love love it and if anyone tries taking it away I spit the dummy and scream bl***dy murder!.

[Woolly-gal]

Two reasons why I thought of a rowing machine - I can sit down to use it - and when I went to the gym years ago it was the one piece of equipment I liked.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi , I'm going to get myself either a treadmill or exercise bike it's something that will help keep me fit. Great.i D's think alike 😆 have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[Pwkav1]

Hi im asthmatic and have copd inhaler high dose and i have a treadmill, bike & rowing machine. Can please myself and its good to mix it up if you can but you do have to start small and work your way up. I find it all beneficial and feel much better in myself. Rowing machine is a good start too to start off on a low resistance and work your way up over time. Good luck. Karen xxx

[Mavary]

I think a rowing machine would be hard to use. That’s for me personally. I said to my Son I would like a walking machine but he said I would probably fall off it and break something. 😆🤣 cheeky monkey!

[Bingo88]

Hello I used to use a rowing machine at the gym. Before being diagnosed with copd and needed a pacemaker. I have been advised not to use one with my pacemaker because of pulling on the leads. But they are good because they are exercising nearly every part of your body

[Jaybird19]

On rehab course found that the treadmill was the best. Can you not try a six week course where you can find which suits you be st. Good luck with whichever you get

[Bevvy]

Having read your post I am thinking of getting a pedal exerciser. Looking at them on line and can sit on chair or even sofa to use. Can also use for arms! I am VERY restricted in space so can only have something with a small footprint.