Does anyone have any experience of the value of exercise bikes for lengthening/ maintaining leg tendons, please?

[REGreen]

[CMTerSam Volunteer]

Hi REGreen,

Exercise bikes are good for CMTers in respect of non weight-bearing general exercise.

Not sure that it would help with stretching your muscles and tendons out though. x

[REGreen in reply to CMTerSam]

Thanks. I think I'll give it a go

[curlyburli]

Ive had my first attempt at the physio gym this morning and done 5 mins on the exercise bike. It was good for cardio resp workout. I certainly felt my muscles burning a bit through the exercise. Physio said that was good.

[REGreen in reply to curlyburli]

Glad to hear that the physiotherapist thought it was good. A trainer suggested I try it but to ask a physio first. Still waiting for the appointment and raring to go.

[Paulina]

Hi RE, I excercise most days either on an exercise bike and glider at the gym or by riding my bike.

It is hard at times but I push myself and feel better for it.

My thoughts are if you use it, you wont lose it!

Paulina

[REGreen in reply to Paulina]

Thanks Paulina. Definitely don't want to lose any more and find that some forms of exercise are impossible because of balance problems and fused ankles.

[Paulina]

I have the same problem RE but the gliders are good as long as you always use the handles and cycling helps my ankles loosen. In fact I find it easier and lass painful on the hips to cycle than walk. (i dont do hills though lol)

[John1945]

Hello All....

I had used an electric treadmill, for many years, and I am still not sure of any real benefits to my health ? I was desperate to avoid the need for wheelchair usage !

So I changed my exercise routine to a one hour brisk walk every day: Again, this is also proving to be difficult, with muscle / joint / breathing difficulties:

C.M.T. disease results in a "catch 22" situation ! If you don't exercise, your muscles then get "FLOPPY" and more unresponsive to the signals sent via your long nerves from your brain to your muscles:

However, if you do decide to persevere with daily physical exercise's, you then suffer from body "FATIGUE", which then has it's own downsides ! ! ! Do not let this horrid disease get your life down, stay positive and fight it !

[REGreen in reply to John1945]

Thanks John, I know how you feel. I am still able to walk and do some work but I get caught out when my brain thinks I can do more than my feet legs will.

[Zeninguem in reply to John1945]

I can't agree more. Perhaps it's easy for me to say as I may not "suffer" so much as some others but I think we should try to be positive and not let CMT get us down. My son has it worse than I do and never complains.

[curlyburli]

I am trying it as my balance is getting worse and I am 'wobbly' most of the time now ans risk falling.

[REGreen]

Thanks Curliburli. Exercise on the floor so I don't fall over gets boring and someone suggested that an exercise bike would help to stretch the tendons which are tightening. I 'll give it a go.

[John1945]

I agree that the,ongoing loss of balance is, and is one of the main problems associated with my lack of "fine fine dexterity":

My most concerns are that, I continue to attempt small DIY projects, and plan ahead ! what tools/materials are best suited to my on going lack of dexterity:

Frustration always will follow - just get on with it - you will drop screws 4/5 times before you eventually secure them ! Use long nosed pliers constantly, to secure small objects:

So sorry, C.M.T. we the sufferer's will not be beaten ! ! !

[cath123]

Hi REGreen

It's catch 22, don't exercise and you loose strength and dexterity, exercise and you feel the pain for days!! Tried tread mill, that was the worst thing ever, now try to use exercise bike daily, as I'm sat down doing it there is no after pain, not sure if I'm doing any good, but I won't go down without a fight!!!

try it

[williamalfred in reply to cath123]

hi regreen i was told by physio that pilates is good for cmt havent started it yet because at the mo i`m too tired, so have to get motivated first, it will help to stretch the tendons.

[REGreen]

Thanks Cath,

As far as I can see it won't do any harm, even if it doesn't do anything for my short, tight tendons, and may benefit my general health. It is hard to come to terms with declining physical powers isn't it. My brain hasn't caught up with what my feet and legs can do so I sometimes get into a muddle.

[CMTerSam Volunteer]

Hi REGreen, The exercise is a great exercise for us CMTers anyway, but if you are particularly looking for something to help with your tight tendons I'd ask your GP for a referral to a Physio for stretching tips

[curlyburli]

I try to go to the gym twice a week and if I miss one week, my legs are back to being very wobbly and balance worse. So it must be doing something!.

[bev5985]

Only wish i could use an exercise bike because i was diagnosed late in life doc though he would carry out various ops on my legs/feet which has since resulted in my having to have a knee replacement and I cannot now get my leg up high enough to use an exercise bike

[REGreen in reply to bev5985]

Dear Bev,

thanks for your reply, sorry to hear about your surgical mishaps. Doctors just don't seem to recognise the complaint soon enough do they? I've got an exercise bike now and am persisting with it although it hurts like hell sometimes, but I think it does some good as I have really missed it while on holiday

[strawberryshortcake]

I only had one go at using an exercise bike and that was when I had to for physio before my first knee replacement. I could hardly move the wheels and only burnt one calorie after about 10 miniutes on it.This was before i knew I had CMT.