Just seen very helpful consultant who suggested I try using a static bike to increase muscle strength. 2 stonking steroid jabs in knees and I’m on a mission to fend off surgery.
Makes sense but looking on line I’m at sea! He said doesn’t have to be expensive or of the Pelaton type.( Ha ha, I don’t think so!! )
I’m looking for something strong, stable and do I go for recumbent or upright?? Mid price preferably and not huge or we’ll be living in the garden! Suspect I’ll be bored to tears so I intend putting near the tv for some diversion.
If anyone has any experience and can reccomend makes I’d really appreciate it.
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Gillyflower70
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gill have you tried them first b4 spending your money then selling them at car boot with them other good ideas we have when watching them late night auctions shows you can get a set of pedals on a frame but i haven't tried them £20/30 did your injections work those steroids tabs you get for chest infection are good but poor doctor had dicky fit when i asked him to give me them for my knees
Thank you! Only just had jabs so early days. Ones in hands have worked well. Feet didn’t work. 🤞 for knees! I know they are very reluctant to give us too many with good reason.
Hey there flower am really really sorry but your post made me 😆😆😆😆. I really love your sense of humour very dry like mine lol. Are you an Aquarius like me? On a serious note hope that things improve for you, take care 😘
I have a similar one I inherited from my mother In law who had Parkinson’s. Her Consultant recommended it when the muscles/strength in her legs became a problem. You can sit in comfort whilst cycling. There are various types on the market, this was just one I found nearest to what mine looks like.
Thank you. A lot of people seem to be recommending this type of exerciser. They certainly take less space. My concern is that they won’t make me sit in a good position to support my dodgy back.
Look in the charity shops or the recycling shop at the tip as a lot get dumped in places like that. I mean to start well with things like that but with me it never lasts so i would spend that much money. xxx
perhaps try one or two at a gym? It’s a big expense.
Or…….
I have a electric bike - it’s brilliant! You still have to pedal but you can vary how much ‘assistance’ you get. Plus there’s the added bonus of fresh air - good for our mental health.
Agreed. Have looked at gym but found being surrounded by very fit, very sweaty people rather daunting! I know I should rise above it!! However it did show me the types of bikes available. Would love an electric bike but on our local roads I would be mown down very quickly! Thank you for replying.
loads of second hand ones for sale. Problem is it’s so boring actually using one, hence why there are so many second hand ones. That’s why Peloton works as there’s someone shouting at you 😂😂.
I had one and was bored after five minutes so it went the way of thousands of others. Facebook marketplace. Mine new was around £200 at John Lewis and was very sturdy with a number of computerised settings. If you’re not disciplined, a class may work better for you.
I agree some motivation always helps but other factors to take into account. I certainly am not competitive except perhaps with myself! Will certainly look at JL. Thank you
I have a sturdy exercise bike, which sits in a corner of my living room. Mine is an upright. I have ankylosing spondylitis. My spine is a lot worse using recumbent ones. I use it in front of the tv, for 20-30 mins. I have to push myself to get on it, as it’s boring. I preferred going to the gym, but cancelled my membership when covid hit. I also have resistance bands, that I use to create some of the weight machines to help with strength. I have myopathy due to long term steroids, so need to do some strength training. I don’t use it as often as I should, because I find it dull.
I also have an electric bike, which I much prefer. I can cycle normally or switch the electric on to assist. I live by the coast in Kent, so have lovely routes, but when it comes to inclines or cliff paths I use the assistance. Have you considered joining a gym to use the bikes along with other firms of exercise. Lots of GPS can refer you at a reduced cost. It’s important to find something you enjoy, otherwise it is an uphill challenge, and expensive at that. I also enjoy swimming to build strength in my legs 🤗
Definitely look for something on the secondhand market. Facebook Marketplace, eBay etc. Loads available after lock down. A recumbent avoids strain on the wrists but unless it can be folded up easily for storage it probably will take up more space.
Personally I prefer a real bike outside. Of course that depends on the local traffic conditions and your own confidence I traffic.
Definitely look at Recumbent, as it takes the stress off the wrists and lower back - they're really quite comfortable and yet you can get a decent workout with a little bit of effort. Good luck!
I got an ultrasport F-bike from.Anazon. I looked around and it was the most reasonably priced one with good reviews. Its not fancy but does the job. The plus factors are......it has a backrest so you dont have to put weight on your wrists on the handlebars and can sit upright, it is based on an X so it can be folded smaller, and I have mine on a mat so I can push or pull it into a corner when not being used.
I agree with the comments re boredom and motivation, but I set up in front of the tv or read a book ( as i can sit upright on it as the seat has a backrest) Also finding the 20 to 30 mins a day at a regular routine slot helps. Good luck🙂
Another vote for a recumbent exercise bike! We bought one via Facebook Marketplace when my husband needed to strengthen up before surgery. It was actually from a gym that was upgrading its equipment. My wrists and bum can't tolerate a normal bike for more than 5 minutes or so, but being able to sit back on a wide padded seat and hold on to the handles beside my hips is so much more comfortable! I only use the bike when my knees are relatively 'quiet' in terms of inflammation/pain, but I find the effect on my leg strength after just a couple of 30 min sessions to be amazing. Mostly it helps me walk up the stairs better, which is a small but significant pleasure! Best of luck finding an exercise bike that suits you!
If you already have a bicycle, then you could just get a basic turbo trainer to put it on. These are much cheaper and easy to get secondhand (or sometimes a new one at a bargain price planetx.co.uk/i/q/TRPXFL/36...
Why don’t you go along to your local hospital physio department & explain your situation and ask their advice……what suits one person won’t suit another.Good Luck….don’t fall off it! 🚵♀️You really need some professional advice.
Lots of people buy them and don't use them! If you really feel that you would use it, you could try buying it second-hand.
You can also buy pedals that you can use from an ordinary chair (perhaps watching TV or listening to music or a book?) I've seen them on Complete Care website - I would think they might be a better bet because they take up less room, and are more convenient.
if you don’t want the expense of a exercise bike then have you tried resistance bands they’re only a couple of quid and as long as you’ve got somewhere to tie them they’re great. I was encouraged to use them when I tore my ACL and they really helped to strengthen my knees and helped me to walk again because it took me ages to weight bare afterwards. If my knees are really painful I get them out again and they seem to help. Exercises from a physio would be a good idea but I bet YouTube has lots. Maybe take proper advice first though. Just a thought if you don’t have the space for a bike.
Good morning, congratulations on seeing a consultant. I have an exercise bike in my tiny co servatory which I use occasionally for a few minutes most days. It seems to help my knees particularly as being alone I rarely go. I pretend I'm cycling through flatish countryside or around my local reservoir. Give it a go.🐕🐕
hI Gillyflower, I have osteoporosis in my knees as well as RA. Have a recumbent bike as puts less strain on knees. We used to own and run a gym so have knowledge of this. Hope this helps.
Having tried a few types, I would recommend a recumbent bike. Less stress on the hands, wrists and shoulders. Look on FB Marketplace or Ebay for cheap unwanted exercise gear.
amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08.... Hi Gillyflower here is a suggestion, I bought this one and its ideal and does not take up a lot of space. Take care. Ray.
I have a mini cycle. If you google Desk Cycle 2, that is the one I have. It's not the cheapest of that type of cycle but it really works for me. The cheap ones move about a lot when you are cycling, this one doesn't. The advantage is it is easy to store away. I keep mine in the bedroom and it goes under the bed. I'd love a recumbent bike but I just don't have the room. The mini cycles are also easy on the bottom and other joints. I use mine sitting on the bed, sofa or a chair. Much easier than getting on and off a regular exercise bike.
One tip, if you go for an upright bike be aware of the handles. My husband had a cross fit type one and I couldn't do it as it put all my weight on my wrists. It killed after a few seconds, I tried without holding on and nearly went into the wardrobe.....
Folding Mini Pedal Exercise Bike Portable Home Workout Office Exerciser Bike Gym Equipment Fitness Leg Foot Arm Under Desk Sitting Down Stepper Training Adjustable Resistance for Women and Men amzn.eu/d/46JtE3U
As Paul Uk said have you considered one of these? I have one and it’s very convenient. Easy to do whilst sat in a chair and just folds away. As it’s so light weight I have used it for my arms too by putting on my lap.
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