Theracycle is it a good idea or not

[parkie13]

If you had experience with theracycle can you tell me how it went. Did it help, were you using it, really would appreciate any feedback thank you

[Don_oregon_duck]

I have had mine for a year. I try to ride it at least 3 times a week. It is amazing how it seems to pep up or loosen up my whole body. I can not tell you that it reversed any symptoms nor can I tell you if it has postponed any as well. I can tell you I love riding it especially on days when I am extra sluggish. It stimulates my whole body. As a side benefit, my wife, who is healthy, really likes riding it also. I guess you might say that we got a twofer.

[parkie13 in reply to Don_oregon_duck]

Don, thank you for your answer. We had a very long icey, snowy winter, finally it is spring. I was not able to walk for fear of falling. My body is getting stiff, especially my bad left side and I do have some bad days. I am hoping it's going to help. Thanks again.

[Tribselyov]

Ditto.... I don't think we emphasized stretching enough

[Donzim]

To my knowledge Theracycle is not Forced Exercise(FE) butvolunteer exercise (VE). The result achieved by Jay Alberts at Cleveland Clinic were via FE, meaning that both the equipment AND patient must contribute to the exercise effort. vE will provide aerobic benefits but NOT those achieved by FE. We rigged up a motorized bike to do what Alberts did and found it efficacious. The hard part was getting up on the bike and balancing on the seat.

[ltoqe in reply to Donzim]

I thought the main "plus" of the Theracycle was that it IS forced exercise -- keeps a person cycling at a certain speed when, on his own, he would slow down. My husband uses a recumbent bike, so it's more like sitting in a chair with his legs out in front of him (requires less balance) but he doesn't pedal very fast generally. At a max, he gets up to half the speed that the Theracycle is supposed to maintain (50 RVMs instead of 90-something...) and then he slows back down again. I think it's better than not doing the exercise at all.

[Donzim in reply to ltoqe]

I have never been convinced with careful reading that Theracycle provides FE. From what I understand, it is an automatic cycling machine. FE, which gives the results in PD according to Dr. Albert's research., is not just getting on a machine that does all the work. The underlying idea is that the patient, due to age or physical condition, cannot cycle sufficiently fast or long to get significant medical results. The patient cycles at whatever level he can perform and then the machine takes up the slack to get the patient up to the level where results are significant.

[ltoqe in reply to Donzim]

Interesting. I'd have to read more on it, but I thought it kept the person pedaling at 90-something RVMs, which isn't something most would maintain without that pace being kept up for them. Will look into it.

[Donzim in reply to ltoqe]

no. the combination of patient effort and machine needs to reach 85-90 rpm for 35-45 minutes 3x weekly. my husband could pedal 55rpms and with the throttle we installed, we could get the bike to fill in the rest to reach 80rpms which was all he needed to see improvement. he did not have to do it for 45 minutes either. as i said, the main problem was sitting for such a long time on a bike seat which is terribly uncomfortable. i replaced it with a wider seat with a bike with a sheepskin cover which helped.

note this is rpms....not mph. we bought a battery driven mountain bike we bought on sale from walmart and mounted it on a stationary bike stand, rewired the wheels, installed and connected a cheap throttle and a rpm monitor to make sure he kept the pace. oddly enough, i got instructions on the rewiring online from a sculptor in california who just happened to love building bikes and knew everything.

[midnightwonder in reply to Donzim]

With the theracycle you need to make the effort to push the peddles. Before I started to ride my home made theracycle I went to the " Y " And tried to peddle a bike at 80 RPM I was able to do it for no more than 5 Min. after 6 months on theracycle I can go to the gym and peddle 10 min @ 60 RPM , 40 Min @ 80-90 RPM , 10 Min @ 60 RPM. I know I'm working because no matter if at home or at the gym I break a sweat.

[Catlou in reply to Donzim]

I read that FE works. It makes your brain think and work harder to do the exercises. creates new growth.

[gcycle in reply to Donzim]

Theracycle is definately Forced Exercise (FE). Rider contributes a lot, but the forced part helps by letting you maintain speed that was not possible before. On a recumbent, I could go 66 RPM max, but I go 90 RPM consistently on the Theracycle and it helps much.

[NanCyclist]

Excellent answer Donzim. This Sunday, April 9, NBC Nightly News is having a segment with Jay Alberts regarding Pedaling for Parkinson's and the outcomes of his five year research on this issue. Theracycle has implied that I endorse their product as FE. I do not. I am an anthropologist, not a neuroscientist.

[midnightwonder]

This Sunday night, April 9th on NBC nightly news Dr. Jay Alberts will discuss his findings after five years of research on forced exercise. I am looking forward to hearing his findings. I have been riding a home made theracycle for years. I found an old exercycle on craigslist for $375.00, stripped the seat, handlebars and everything that was not involved with making the peddles turn. Then I bought a new 1/3 Hp motor $500.00 and a TECO Westinghouse Power Phase Converter ( it converts 2 Phase Power coming into the home to 3 phase power to the motor this gives you the ability to vary the speed ) $ 125.00 . I also changed the fluid in the gearbox. I sit on a chair that just barely fits over the motor. So for around $ 1000.00 you can make a Theracycle. I was assisted by a friend who is an electrician, in finding the motor and setting up the power phase converter, so that would be an additional expense, but still a lot less than the new theracycle would cost.

[Donzim in reply to midnightwonder]

You can do this at considerably less cost if you forget the idea of Theracycle and modify a battery driven motorbike and put it on a bike stand. It's fairly easy to attach a throttle and change over the wiring from the wheels.

[Dajudge]

I have had a Theracycle for over 5 years and find it to be a wonderful instrument to fight P D. It is sturdy, dependable, maintenance free and simple to operate. Mine has aided me immeasurably physically and psychologically and I highly recommend it.

[Donzim in reply to Dajudge]

Yes any exercise helps but has it changed your tremor, gait and digital dexterity as FE can? Difference between apples and oranges...they are both bikes but do two entirely different things.

[Donzim]

Riding any bike will give you aerobic exercise but that is not the same as forced exercise. Still, some exercise is better than none but don't expect the same results without following the same recipe.

[Donzim]

I wrote in the past re how we rigged up our bike to mimic Alberts. I think this site now provides the ability to search past posts.

[FMundo]

I belong to a Neuro Wellness Center (PD exercise) as well as pedal 10 miles 5 days a week at the Y. What puzzles me in all of this is that I think one of the things that is really needed for PD people is "pacing" exercises. (which for me is not provided at either place).

By "pacing" I mean NOT allowing PD to slow down your perspective of "how fast or vigorous" exercise should be. I suspect Rock Steady Boxing... and most assuredly Theracycle sets a rhythum/speed that is not vulnerable to "changed perspective" . . . and for that very reason, it helps slow down progression of PD symptoms.

How much do these things cost? Must be a King's Ransom if people are spending $1,000 and building "home brew" equipment.

[parkie13 in reply to FMundo]

You can get a used one for around $2,000 less if it doesn't have the arm or seat. New I'm not sure comma are around 5,000 I believe or 2000 for the one with no arms or seat it's very expensive

[Catlou in reply to FMundo]

i like the idea of tandem biking. give a free parkinsons membership to pedal and give the biker free training and Credts for time spent training to use on something else at the Y.

[Park4me]

I was using an elliptical three days a week for 5 yrs. then I joined rock steady boxing. What a difference! Using muscles I hadn't used as well as well as using different exercises to work on balance and producing dopamine. Use the bike for an off day or when you can't go to a gym. But don't rely on it solely. It's not good enough

[parkie13]

Thank you all for leaving such good comments. Your input is invaluable. Mary

[gcycle]

I've had mine two years. Fantastic results. Feel much better, shake much less. Even had some sense of smell come back that was lost with Parkinson's.