I'm sure stories about cycling have been shared many times, but high intensity workouts on a stationary bike have become my favorite form of intense exercise. I was struck by the comment of one man in this article that he was diagnosed 15 years ago and people don't even know he has Parkinson's. I'll pedal to that!
bicycling.com/news/g2001141...
Jim
Thanks for encouraging us by sharing this Jim. Could you tell us more about your personal bike routine?
Sure! I set the screen on the bike to only display RPM (Revolutions per Minute), so I can constantly monitor my effort. I warm up for 3 minutes at 70 RPM and then I pedal between 80-100 RPM for 40 minutes, with one important addition: During the last 8 seconds of every minute, I pedal as fast as possible. I am now able to hit 150 RPM at the end of each minute. That extra 150 RPM kick (or whatever your absolute maximum is) FORTY TIMES is key to really increasing heart rate and enhancing neuroplasticity. Again, I'm not a doctor or therapist and everyone should consult an expert, but I know I'm a breathless, sweaty mess at the end of each workout and it feels great!
Hello Jim
Can you share the make and model of your stationary bike? Would you recommend this bike?
I don't even know. It just happens to be at my local SNAP Fitness, but I am going there this afternoon so I'll make note of the make and model. 
The brand name is Cybex. If I can figure out how to post a picture of it, I will. It's nothing fancy...
I have copied a very inspiring comment about cycling by Nancyclist on a post made a few months ago by Kia17:
I was diagnosed in 2008 at age 62 and met Dr. Alberts in 2009. After one month of biking from 1.5-4 hours per day as close to 80-90 rpm as I could sustain, my PD symptoms disappeared to the extent that my. doctor said if he didn't know I had PD, he wouldn't diagnose it. Working with Dr. Alberts, I am now the national coordinator for Pedaling For Parkinson's programs, which follow Dr. Alberts' protocols. As long as I continue cycling about an hour a day (inside) or 20 miles (outside) for four or five days/week, my symptoms are largely kept at bay.
Curiously enough, this past year I had to have two surgeries on my left leg (toe joint replacement and meniscal repair not due to PD or cycling), which meant that I couldn't cycle for six months. My PD symptoms predictably worsened and I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to return to my former strength and fluidity. However, just this past week I was able to get back to my cycling regime and within three days of cycling an hour each day, most of my symptoms have again disappeared.
The cycling commitment is not for the faint hearted, but the alternative is not for me. You do not need a Theracycle. You do need willpower and tenacity. Since starting the Pedaling For Parkinson's protocols in 2009 I have cycled across the state of Iowa 6 times (450 miles), climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, climbed to Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal, hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and this last summer, rode a raft through the Grand Canyon for two weeks. Next up is hiking around Mt. Blanc. I'm a 72 year old grandma, btw.
There is no doubt based on my experience that intense cycling works, at least for me. I cycle at least 3 times a week 1-4 hours a day. I live in SoCal so it’s ez. Wen I stopped due to surgeries, symptoms increased. Wen I returned to cycling- diminished and noticeably so. With the B1 protocol and a very healthy lifestyle it has brought me cautious optimism. I am 70. Symptoms for at least 5 years. Ride with friends, it works and feels great.
Brilliant! Really enthused to hear about your cycling & the TMB is fantastic - have done it 3 times so enjoy!
I have tried a Life Fitness recumbent bike and as best as I could I could not exceed 45 RPM even at level 1? Legs simply will not go fast enough to get heart rate up. I simply do the best I can for 15 to 30 minutes.
Been serious cycling for 30 years and believe it has kept things, for the most part status quo. Have PD for at least 5 years. Very easy to hit 85% of max heart rate on a cycle. Keep the rubber side down!
This is all a bit overwhelming for me and probably for other older women like me. I'd love to hear from other women and their cycling experiences.
Did you see the post from NanCyclist which I copied and posted above? She's a 72 year old grandma. I found her post to be motivational and encouraging...
Hi,
I'm 70, was diagnosed with PD in 2012 but trace my symptoms back to about 2002, so I've probably had PD closer to 15 years. I bike at my gym at least 3 times a week and find that I work a lot harder if I bike in a class. My gym offers "spin" classes, where the pace is choreographed to music and the teacher calls out when to speed up or slow down, when to stand, etc.
It's important to follow your own lead, especially in the beginning. If it's too much at first, leave after 20 minutes. Work up to the full 45 to 60 minutes over a period of weeks. It's also important to find a teacher with a style that motivates you. An upbeat, positive and encouraging style works best for me (and for most people, I imagine). A well-designed class will be based on intervals (exercising in varying degrees of intensity from slow to fast and level to steep) and led by someone who has had some training in spin--at least enough to provide instruction in how to set up the bike for your size and advice on proper form.
Exercise has been a huge resource for me, even before the PD. It helps me physically and emotionally. Most people don't know that I have PD, but as Parkinson's varies by individual, I can't positively assign the relatively slow progression I'm experiencing to biking. I love how I feel after class: soaked in sweat but with the high of intense exercise. If you don't like biking--and the best form of exercise is one you'll do--try something else. From what I've read, fairly intense exercise is best, but any amount of activity is better than none at all. I was never an athlete in school, but I feel like one now, and I love it.
If interested, NanCyclist (Nan Little) has written the book "If I Can Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, Why Can't I Brush My Teeth?: Courage, Tenacity and Love Meet Parkinson's Disease". It can be found on Amazon:
If you are capable of walking fast for a sustained period of time you might even get more benefit from the exercise because it is weight bearing and it uses more brain input. The brain is where we have the Pd problem and the more we use our brain the better for the Pd.
Look at my PROFILE and at my website, reverseparkinsons.net and contact me. I will send you a lot more information and videos on the subject, at no cost.
Cycling for PD?
Cycling Mitigates Symptoms
Indoor Group Cycling for PD
Cycling on a recumbent bike
