COPD

[Les1956]

Hi everybody out there I'm 62 years old I smoke the not really heavily and I ride a bike a lot can't anybody tell me is bike riding good for COPD

[Hidden]

Any exercise is beneficial but giving up smoking is the best thing you can do for copd I hope you manage to at least try xxxx

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hello Les yes riding a bike is good for you any exercise is as long as don't overdo it. But the most important thing you did was give up smoking. XXX love Bernadette 😳

[Js123 in reply to Damon1864]

Bike good and so is walking as long as you donor over do it

[Hidden]

i think your wasting your time with any kind of exercises if you still smoking.

"one hour later"

i also think its a waste of time taking medicine such as inhailers if you still smoke.

both exercise and inhailers will help to open up your lungs so you can breath in your tabacco smoke deeper.

ub40 .

[skischool in reply to Hidden]

Les ,As others have advised you clearly need to give up smoking.with the assistance of others if needed to help with your copd.Any form of exercise regardless of your smoking status will be of benefit to you now and in the long term........................regards skis

[Lilian226 in reply to Hidden]

Keep exercising whilst you're trying to stop smoking. Lilian xxxx

[cales in reply to Hidden]

That’s a little on the negative side ........exercise wether smoking or not is a plus and encouragement to give up is the way to go

[2greys]

You need to stop worrying about bicycle riding being good for you and more about gaining help to quit smoking, THE most important step to take. Walk a mile with me and see why!

[Maureenclayton]

I'm no doctor Les but my doctor tells me any exercise is good for you as long as you don't over do it. I've had two knee replacements one just this year and I would love to ride a bike, I'm going to wait a bit longer and give it a go when I'm finished with all these chest infections that is, I was put on yet another lot of antibiotics and steroids yesterday till I see my specialist on the 5th October, I'll ask when I go what I should and shouldn't be doing and let you know, I have bronchiectasis. Take care.

[Maureenclayton in reply to Maureenclayton]

Oh and I to am 62.

[Ergendl in reply to Maureenclayton]

Since my knee replacement I've had to ride a trike as I don't have the same strength in the operated knee. The trike keeps the balance when I try to set off, so it's much easier than a bike. Cars give me a wider berth too.

[Maureenclayton in reply to Ergendl]

What a good idea a trike I never thought about trying one. The last knee I had done just this year is great but it's the one I had done eight years ago that's starting to be a bother again, I really don't want to have to go through that operation again, but I was told when I had my second knee done that they are made to last longer now not like the one I had done eight years ago they would only have a life span of ten years, so he was right. I used to love riding my bike, gosh running, swimming you name I used to do it. I think regarding my lungs I'm going to have to try to get back into the swimming when I eventually get rid of this chest infection that is. Where I live which is very close to a busy road I can hardly get out of my street with my car now, there had been so many new houses just sprouted up all over the place. Lots more people, I really wish I could persuade my husband to move but he won't hear if it. I would and always have wanted to live in the country, ah peace and quiet, lovely. Maybe in the next life. Good luck with your trike though, do it while your able. Take care. X

[CornishBrian in reply to Maureenclayton]

I use an electric bike. That way I can exercise..There is three modes. 1. Ride like normal bike. 2. Pedal but with battery assistance when needed.3. Ride like a moped....just open the throttle and go.....I still exercise I this mode by pedalling for no reason.

Another good thing about it, is you have a bit of support when walking with it and when you feel out of breath, just lean on it.....no one thinks thing of someone leaning on a bike, taking in the view....something I used to find embarassing when I had to lean on a lamp post or something, while I got my breath back.

[Maureenclayton in reply to CornishBrian]

What an excellent idea, I don't know anything about these bikes or where to go to look for one, and most importantly how much they are. I would love to get back out again more than anything, yes leaning on your bike when your out of breath nobody would think anything of it. Oh you've got me going now, I'll not rest till I find out more. There's a great place for bike riding not far from where my son lives at Hamsterley Forest at Weardale, Beautiful picnic area and proper tracks for bikes, I take my grand children a few times a year for the play area, just to sit and watch them, but they would love for us all to get our bikes out and have a great day exercising. Thanks for your reply. Any advise will be appreciated. Take care. Xxx

[Watfordgirl]

It's not clear from your photo, Les, but are you on oxygen? It looks as though you are and, apart from all the other considerations, it's not a good idea to smoke and then put your oxygen on. It's dangerous! Take care of yourself. Sue

[Nottobad]

Hi if you need help Les. With stopping smoking. HU has a Quit support group. On that site you will not be judged. I was dx with COPD in 2006 and finally stopped three years ago after many attempts. When you are ready you will stop. Good luck.

[MELNEL]

All exercise is good I guess you will know your limits. To give up smoking is not easy, I know for myself. I am on and off myself and do exercise in going swimming and walk and I love dancing and I am happy that I still can do so in having fun. 💃💃Is a big plus to do exercise.

[chris54]

Well les, it would be good idea to try vaping, and leave the cigs alone,i smoked for over 40 years and went on to vaping easy....good luck....

[Dragonmum in reply to chris54]

Me too Chris - 60 years smoker (which probably caused the asthma/copd) got my first e-cig in 2010 and never smoked since. Try it Les, 3 million of us vapers in the UK now and it's officially 95% safer than smoking. Your choice of course.

[y_not]

"I smoke the not really heavily" - please tell us that you are joking! You would be better to be an overweight and sedentary COPD sufferer than a super-fit cyclist with zero lung capacity!

I stopped before being diagnosed with COPD - I don't understand why anyone would happily continue knowing they had the disease ... not because it will kill them but because of the massive impact on the quality of life preceding death!

Les, sorry to be so direct but I just don't think you seem to realise the significance.

Best wishes

[Juliette011]

Hay Les....I think we are all in complete agreement...Give Up The Fags!! Bike riding and any sort of exercise whatever you can manage helps heaps....for example strength training!!with resistance bands and or weights.

I agree with all the other good peoples who have replied to your question...Give up the fags...try, coz at 62 and still smoking, well good luck to you...but if you want to live longer then the cigies need to go. But of course keep up the bike riding...coz I think that has definitely held you in good stead! Best of Luck.

[James48]

Hi Les, any cardiovascular exercise is good for COPD and bike riding is highly recommended. Walking briskly is the top exercise I understand. The best thing you can do though is stop smoking before your COPD gets worse which it will anyway over time, but faster if you continue to smoke.

[Hidden]

Hi les let me just say until your in hospital with the worst mask strapped to your face restricting any movement and preventing air to get into the mask from any gaps you will not understand the significance of giving up smoking.. That mask saved my life 3 times in as many days and breathed for me. I wasn't a smoker at the time but did have respiratory failure. Others who wore the mask weren't so lucky unfortunately due to you years of sadly smoking amongst other things. Please don't be another statistic keep staying fit but try and at least reduce or swap to electric cigs then try wean off then maybe. Hope goes well oh and I'm full time on oxygen at 43 you didn't mention if you are on it but it is quite a change having to always make sure you have enough oxygen to go out with.. Could be a pain with your bike as I'm sure you would prefer a friend on the back of your bike not an oxygen cylinder. X stay safe mel.

[Maureenclayton]

Well Les I hope you have listened to everyone's very good advise for your own good, please just give those other smoke free devises ago, then you'll be well on the way to a better quality of life. Take care x

[Christina1941]

Hello Les. Yes riding a bike is good exercise for COPD, any sort of exercise is essential, but stopping smoking would be the best thing to do, you say you don't smoke much, but any amount of smoking is doing you harm, so please do your best to stop. I know it is not easy but it really is the very, very best thing you can do xx