Hubby wants a treadmill, I want a stationary bike. What's better for elderly workouts?

[CTyankee]

We have limited space so it's one or the other.

I have arthritis in my spine, limiting my walk but will a treadmill help? I do a set of stretches for my back every morning on the bed.

your views, please.

thanks, all.

[LakeArenal]

1. Bikes can be hard on the knees if that's a problem.

[TexasProgresive]

8. If I don't cycle daily I would need heavy pain meds for my knees

The way cycling hurts knees is usually too low saddle height, just saying.

[LakeArenal]

10. It's not a contest. But after 8 different physical therapists

I had to use a recumbent bike because of my knees. Just sayin.

[calguy]

2. Treadmill. Hands down.

[marble falls]

3. I work on my manual dexterity by rolling joints. I smoke one and take a long walk ...

Last edited Thu Sep 24, 2020, 03:49 PM - Edit history (1)

but that's me - low tech, hi fidelity.

[a kennedy]

38. ha ha ha.......I misread it as waaasupp, and started laughing.....because it was that

[Sanity Claws]

4. Stationary bikes turn into better clothes hangers than treadmills

That is based on my observation of people who bought them but ended up not using them.

[uriel1972]

16. heh true enough

my cat loved it as well.

[Rule of Claw]

5. Amazon has a real nice foot bike, I will

show you a picture but for obvious sites ethical reasons not link. Wife and M-I-L swear by it. Reasonable.

[uriel1972]

14. I second the foot bike

you can get comfy for your spine and still pedal away.

[woodsprite]

25. My boss bought us those for under our desks after he had a surprise heart attack/stent.

ITers tend to sit -- A LOT! He got us those, stand up desks, a stand up treadmill w/ computer system to walk and check email, surf, or watch training videos, and brought in consultants from the retirement program at work to talk about how to get the most out of our retirement accounts. (Of course, that last bit hasn't worked out for any of us nearly as it should have).

[CTyankee]

32. Oh, that's what you call it! I was looking at that initially!

It didn't look too big for my limited space.

[flamingdem]

6. If you only want to walk a manual treadmill can

be folded up and put away. There's one on Amazon with an incline. They don't need to be plugged in. Not for everybody but it's okay for those who only want to walk with an incline. About $170.

[wryter2000]

23. That sounds like exactly what I want

Thanks!

[woodsprite]

26. I have a Pro-Form treadmill that folds up.

It's heavy duty, does inclines and had bars in 2 placements so I can walk backwards if I want to. That was something that my knee PT guy always had me do because it works your muscles a different way.

The only issue we've had is that my 6' long-legged son has a problem running full stride on it. I'm 5'1' and this chick doesn't run

[CTyankee]

34. I think hubby reeally wants a glide path.

[we can do it]

7. Treadmill, you're likely sitting too much already.

[backtoblue]

9. A low, sturdy stationary bike

The ones where you sit with your legs more in front of your body than under.

I can't use a treadmill due to spinal problems either.

[Sherman A1]

11. I have both and prefer the bike

I do 35 miles each morning on it while I use the iPad to check DU, Facebook, email and watch a video or play a game. I usually start about 4-4:30am and finish up around 7ish (including a couple of breaks to walk around and get more coffee) , before Mrs Sherman gets up. Picked this one up at Aldi a few years ago when they do their post holiday, January health food/exercise promotion. It was about $99.00.

I have found that tread mills are incredibly heavy pieces of equipment along with being expensive and take up a lot of space. Really with that I had not bought this one, but it was one of those things that Mrs Sherman wanted and we really haven't used that much.

[LakeArenal]

12. Why not phone your doctor?

[CTyankee]

15. I did and he said bike.

[LakeArenal]

18. Okay.

[Niagara]

13. Besides swimming, walking is the best exercise and the safest.

I was diagnosed with arthritis in my lower back at the age of 24.


Since I've given up smoking, I walk between 1 to 2 miles on the daily (weather permitting) and I feel great. What hurts me is being sedentary.


Here's an informative article to read. https://www.spine-health.com/blog/2-reasons-why-walking-good-your-lower-back#:~:text=%20Follow%20these%20tips%20if%20you%20have%20chronic,walking%20by%20keeping%20your%20spine%20naturally...%20More%20

[CTyankee]

19. when my pool opens up again, I have a great one, Olympic size.

It is at my alma mater and I get an alum discount. I used to go there all the time and alternate with Jazzercise. I did Jazzercise for 10 years and loved it. That was when I worked downtown and the Jazzercise class was a block away, so I could go to it after work and then go home in time to make dinner. I went to the pool an alternate days, once I retired.

[Niagara]

22. Jazzercise sounds like fun and relaxing.

I can't wait until things somewhat get back to normal again. I wish that you had enough room for both a treadmill and stationary bike so that you could determine what's better for you. The equipment that you and your husband decide on may not work for the other person.


I forgot to mention that when I was riding my bicycle, my chiropractor told me to stop riding it and he said it was the leaning forward motion that was causing my inability to stand up straight. I was actually angry that I had to stop riding my bike, but walking is much better on my back. I believe this is where "everyone is different" comes into play.

I do have a treadmill, but it won't be coming out of the spare room until the snow hits the ground.

[CTyankee]

31. The treadmill is good for being able to watch TV. Otherwise i would be totally bored and wouldn't

do it.

I feel I get a workout going to do food shopping. I try to keep it at one half hour, tops.

[bluescribbler]

17. I would get the stationary bike.

Running or walking, on a treadmill, road, forest path or track can be hard on joints like hips, knees or ankles. bicycles are actually easier because there is less shock to the joints. Many years ago I badly sprained my ankle playing basketball. I actually had to wear a cast for about a month. When the cast came off, the doctor told me to take it easy on the ankle for a while. I asked him how soon I could start riding my bike. He asked, "where is your bike?" "It's at home." "How soon can you get home?" He went on to explained that the motion of pedaling helps to restore strength and mobility without the shock of walking or running.

[Beakybird]

20. We got the treadmill, and our marriage is going nowhere fast.

[Kali]

21. recumbent elliptical cross trainer

like a stair step motion instead of circular like a bike

[Amishman]

33. I'll second this suggestion

probably your best bet.

Gets upper body involved, unlike a stationary bike
way easier on the knees than running on a treadmill

[Kali]

37. they are what the PTs use the most where I had PT

before and after knee replacement, but all I have is a stationary bike. I get around the arm thing by using light hand weights and doing arm exercises while I "ride"

if/when my bike dies I will get one of those.

[wryter2000]

24. I'm no expert

But I have had experience with both over the age of 60. IMHO, if you buy a bike, get a recumbent one. The seat is much too uncomfortable on an upright one.

If you're going to sit on the bike and pedal slowly, forget a bike. It won't do you any darned good unless you get your heart rate up. You can do that by pushing yourself, but doing intervals is easier. 40 seconds at max speed and 20 seconds slow. Do that for half an hour, and you'll get a good cardio workout.

If you want to increase your ability to walk, a bike won't do anything for that. I have a bike, but I really wish I had a treadmill for just that reason. In fact, right now I'm going to check out the manual treadmill someone mentioned down thread. I'll be 72 in November, btw.

[Kaleva]

27. As a plumber and furnace guy, I saw many exercise equipment gathering dust in basements

[hlthe2b]

28. Fall risk is the biggest issue with treadmills and the elderly. Here is a chart of pros v cons

The Stationary Bike Vs. Treadmill – PROS V CONS



Treadmill ·

Burns a high number of calories when running or walking on a step incline

· Is something that just about everyone can comfortably do

· Offers variations of speed and incline

· Has a relatively high injury risk of knee or back pain, especially when jogging

· People may ‘cheat’ and hold onto the handle bars to make the exercise easier

· Incline function may break down often

· Is high impact so harder on the joints (though not with walking)

· There is a fall risk associated with this machine


Stationary Bike
·
Lower total risk of injury (it’s not completely risk free, but your overall injury risk is much lower)

· Is something that most people can easily do

· Strengthens the lower body muscles

· May help to build strength if a high enough resistance is utilized

· Is non-impact

Doesn’t burn quite as many calories

· The upper body isn’t involved at all in the exercise

· Butt pain may result from sitting in the seat so long

[PennyK]

29. I like my recumbent bike

I'm finally using it, after years of it collecting dust, because i want to lose weight and diet alone isn't doing it.
Five miles daily and I'm slowly increasing the resistance.
Hubby was a runner, but at 70 (and in buggy muggy Florida), he has switched to the bike. He adds a weight workout and I do vigorous stretching.

[eShirl]

30. rowing machine

[IcyPeas]

35. this is a good informative thread

I am considering a treadmill myself. they are soooooo huuuuuuge though and like mentioned above it HAS to be in front of the TV.

[sarcasmo]

36. Recumbent Bikes.

https://www.nordictrack.com/exercise-bikes/commercial-vr21-recumbent-bike?gclid=CjwKCAjwh7H7BRBBEiwAPXjadke1EBSOJa18HJAANaivvBB-S-wH-WPMkxlQREswOhA0IJfo85E5NxoCuYIQAvD_BwE

[MosheFeingold]

39. He can walk outside

It's better, anyway. I get up 6 days a week at 5:15 am and walk for about an hour -- four miles, anyway.

Rain, sleet, or (most) snows.

A bike is fine.

The best is water aerobics.

I take it back. The best is the one you are wiling to do.

[CTyankee]

40. He is disabled from having 2 spinal surgeries and he uses a walker.

He doesn't like to go out and walk. I have tried to get him to. He won't.

[musette_sf]

41. Elliptical.

We have one by Octane Fitness that we like a great deal.