Arthritis is a debilitating condition that affects over 50 million Americans. The pain from arthritis can be difficult to manage, and more than half of those with the condition have difficulty carrying out their normal activities.
Do you suffer from arthritis? If the answer is “yes,” then you should be trying to find a way to decrease your pain. One of the best ways to do this is by using a recumbent exercise bike.
The reason for this is because it allows people with arthritis to use their legs without putting as much pressure on them, which can cause pain.
Best Exercise Equipment for Arthritis
Many traditional forms of exercise, like running or weightlifting, can be painful and aggravating for people with arthritis.
This is where recumbent bike riding comes in! Recumbent bikes are designed for people with joint pain, and they provide a number of benefits that other forms of exercise cannot.
In this post, we will discuss ways to decrease your pain and improve your quality of life!
How to Use a Recumbent Exercise Bike for Arthritis
If you are using a recumbent exercise bike for arthritis, keep these points in mind.
- Find a recumbent exercise bike that is the right height for your body.
- Position yourself on the seat so you’re in a comfortable position and close enough to reach the pedals comfortably. But not too close where you feel like there isn’t sufficient room for pedaling with good form.
- Make sure your back is against the backrest at all times during use.
- Keep your feet flat on either side of the foot plates or onto spinning platforms if they are present.
- Start your workout by warming up your body with some light stretches.
- Start pedaling as you would on a bike and maintain good form with your back against the chair back at all times. Maintain an even pace of movements, not going too fast or slow. Otherwise this will cause pain to flare up in joints that are already inflamed from arthritis.
- If possible try to pedal backwards for one minute intervals. If able then return forward again after each interval for about six minutes before switching directions.
- Stop altogether because some people find they experience less joint pain when there is more movement happening in different ranges of motion during exercise.
- This can be helpful without putting any additional pressure on arthritic joints by unnecessarily using them while exercising other muscles, such as legs over arms.
Why You Should Use Recumbent Exercise Bicycle
This will help you decrease the pain of sitting upright for long periods while exercising. It causes less strain on your hips, spine, and shoulders than an upright bike.
It also has a seat that reclines so you can lie down when not pedaling. It is possible to do this without putting any pressure on your knees or ankles.
You should avoid doing this in other positions, such as standing up or sitting straight up at all times.
The downside is that some people find they experience lower body fatigue faster. Despite the fact that they’re being encouraged by both doctors and physical therapists who agree that low-intensity workouts using a recumbent bike are the best form of exercise for arthritis sufferers.
This is because they have to work much harder than normal due to the weight of their body resting on them while pedaling. It causes more strain on muscles which may then become weaker over time by not being used at all.
Tips for Choose The Recumbent for Arthritis
The best recumbent exercise bike for arthritis is one that provides the most pain relief. Of course, this will vary from person to person depending on their specific situation and injury severity.
However, there are a few things you can consider when shopping around for your perfect exercise equipment:
- You need an adjustable seat so it fits tightly in the curve of your back and doesn’t slide as you pedal.
- The second thing to keep in mind when shopping for the best recumbent bike for arthritis is how comfortable the seat feels against your backside. As well as what type of support system there may be (this includes ergonomic designs).
- The armrests should be padded to provide comfort yet still allow freedom of movement.
- You will also want something sturdy enough but not too heavy either. Make sure that whatever model ends up being purchased doesn’t tip over easily when someone gets on or off!
Nautilus R616 is a great recumbent exercise bike for anyone with arthritis. The seat can be easily adjusted into different positions so it’s perfect no matter what your height or size.
About Author
Research is the key to producing good content. Meghan Joye loves to write research-based articles. Her articles cover topics ranging from wellness, health, and self-improvement, to more lighthearted ones such as hobbies and pets. Meghan strength is that she can write on all topics.