Hey all. When I first joined (about 3 years ago) there were lots of posts about cycling but not so many nowadays. I went bonkers with it and cycled a lot (stationery). My machine at home struggled to get to 80rpm but I thought that as long as I went 70/75 I'd be ok. I did worsen. Not a lot but definitely did. Then I realised that the commercial bikes at the gym did the job much better and managed to get over 80. But I noticed that I tended to hover at the 80/82 rpm range and I was pushing hard. I didn't think anything of it. I was over 80 after all but again I noticed a slight increase in symptoms despite pedalling like a madman. I also developed a really odd symptom whereby my right knee (affected side), started to stick outwards after as little as 15 minutes. Some said 'push through it' but I couldn't. It was so ridiculous cycling with a knee about 2 feet away from the bike. I was very disappointed as I thought that cycling would really help, but sadly it didn't (although who knows how badly I might have been without it to be fair).
Then somebody on the HU site commented on how much easier and quicker all this was on a spinning bike. I thank that guy whoever he was! I went back to the gym and went into the empty spin room. I managed 15 minutes before wonky leg stopped me but got to 85/90 with ease. The next time I tried I managed 18 minutes and so on until today I reached 40 minutes which is where I used to be when I started with this shitty disease. It's definitely doing something so I thought I'd write a post on this. The key is a spinning bike and one MUST reach a very high rpm (85 even up to 95). Good luck all. BTW: if I stop with this high rpm, within a week or so my knee starts jutting out again. I'd better not stop then!
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jeeves19
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Congratulations! I'm convinced that high intensity exercise, in whatever manner you can and want to do, is the most (only?) medically accepted way to halt or greatly reduce the progression.
Have you tried biking on the road having said that keep it up your doing great I ride 5 days a week on the road don't know we're I would be without it great hobby keeps the negative demons at bay
Hi jeeves19. I read Nan Little's book which I found very inspiring. Are you in the UK?
I am on medication but try & get as much exercise in as possible. Really believe it helps keep symptoms at bay & in my case has helped considerably.
I applaud you if you do your stint in an empty spin studio. I am much more motivated in a group situation & try to get in 3 sessions a week. If you have a word with the instructor before not only will they encourage you but will understand & leave you to do your own regime if you prefer to - after all there is generally at least one club rider who is there going full tilt throughout! I have also found the PD Warrior program very helpful.
Hi yes I’m in the UK bit have an aversion to Spin classes I’m afraid. I just can’t stand all the pumping music, shrieking and false drama! I remember thinking to myself st the last one I went to ‘if this guy shouts TO THE MAX’ one more time I might do something illegal! At least a quiet studio allows me to watch tv shows on my IPhone in peace!
Thanks for the post. I've had a similar experience to you. What I find is that I both have to go at a high cadence AND keep good form. Otherwise I am in pain and have to quit. I try to concentrate on keeping my right leg (my affected side) moving smoothly, not jerky. I also try to keep my right foot from rolling or my right knee from sticking out. I use a bicycle on a stationary stand and definitely had to go very careful at first but eventually I worked my way up to 25 minutes averaging ~80 cadence. Based on what you have said I'm curious about trying a spin bike and seeing how that goes. How many times /week do you spin?
Nan. Can one over do the cycling in your opinion? I seem to remember you declaring not previously and I recall a line from your lovely book that you went ‘way above the protocol’ back in the early days. Whilst J says 3 times weekly I’d be interested to hear your views on this frequency compared to say a daily session on the bike. Have you noticed much difference symptomatically between 3 and 6/7 times each week?
I think that’s a harder question than it appears. I go as many days per week as I can fit in, usually 4 or 5 inside for an hour. When the weather is good, I can be outside for 2-3 hours, again4-5 days/week. That said, it has taken almost 1.5 YEARS to recover from surgeries on my toe and knee, severely limiting my cycling. Everything has suffered because of that. It is. only in the last month that I have been able to ride for an hour at cadence nearly every day without big pain. It feels like I’m trying to climb a rock wall with my fingertips, but each day I do a bit better. When I finally went a whole hour without pain, I almost cried. I haven’t ridden outside since last summer and that was hard. Everyone is different so I recommend that you listen carefully to your body, go a little more than you think you can and celebrate each day.
I have a little "exer-bike" that only goes about 80. It's electric and it moves by itself (I'm not actually pedaling - just riding) It has helped me a great deal and it was very inexpensive (less than $100) I also swim and walk and bike.
I just read your initial post and I think I misunderstood when you said, "I was over 80 after all..."
I was very impressed. Or, are you actually over 80 and also spinning at over 80 rpm? Either way, you are doing great. I've been fast-walking 3+ miles a day, but am soon adding "spinning" to my routine.
LOL, no your picture doesn't. Of course, some people use pictures of their grandchildren, so I can't be sure. I know that I look 62, because the gym took one look at me and gave me the senior discount! I got up to 85 rpm on my first try, but I could only keep it going for 10 minutes. Tried it again an hour later and only lasted 5 minutes. Now I feel 80!
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