topic Re: Under desk pedal exerciser in Wellness

Under desk pedal exerciser

hick — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 10:27:01 GMT

I'm a senior citizen. I've been a runner all my adult life until needing both hips replaced 5 years ago.

Since then, I've been a walker, I mean a SERIOUS walker until 2 months ago when I tore the meniscus in my right knee.

I'm only now starting to be able to walk around without a cane.

I REALLY miss doing some kind of exercise and the MD said bike or swim. Biking is out for me for a variety of reasons and I don't swim.

Yesterday I bought an under desk pedal exerciser from Amazon.. I'm wondering if anyone has one of these little things. I really wanted a recumbent bike but it would take up way too much room in my house.

My worry is that I'm too "fit" and won't get a good workout from this thing although the reviews were excellent on the model that I bought.

Anybody?????

Thank you.

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

jackthebear — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 10:34:42 GMT

@hick wrote:
I'm a senior citizen. I've been a runner all my adult life until needing both hips replaced 5 years ago.
Since then, I've been a walker, I mean a SERIOUS walker until 2 months ago when I tore the meniscus in my right knee.
I'm only now starting to be able to walk around without a cane.
I REALLY miss doing some kind of exercise and the MD said bike or swim. Biking is out for me for a variety of reasons and I don't swim.
Yesterday I bought an under desk pedal exerciser from Amazon.. I'm wondering if anyone has one of these little things. I really wanted a recumbent bike but it would take up way too much room in my house.
My worry is that I'm too "fit" and won't get a good workout from this thing although the reviews were excellent on the model that I bought.
Anybody?????
Thank you.

i don't have one but when I looked at the amazon reviews I was really amazed how good they were,

and it is probably better than doing nothing KWIM

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

deedledeedeedle — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 10:44:02 GMT

I see the Qubi is now offering resistence bands for a better workout.

dee

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

ozarkgirl — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 11:53:09 GMT

I have one. Got in when I had my knee replacement done 2 years ago.I used it alot at the beginning but now not so much which I probably should. It really helped keep my mobility. Good purchase

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

SXMGirl — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 12:39:19 GMT

I am also thinking about this and looking for more reviews. The ones on Amazon are very good. @hckynut, John, do you have any info on this? I sent a text to my trainer, but she has not gotten back to me yet. She might not even know about it, especially since she has me on the Octane machine at the Y when I am not working out with her. My meniscus is completely gone in one knee and I am trying to avoid knee replacement.

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

granddi — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 14:57:33 GMT

I'm a serious walker too.

We ordered the item you are asking about and returned it.

We thought it was chair height dependent. If setting on the sofa or casual chair it seemed the seat height was too low.

Since we have a recumbant bike and treadmill for indoor days it was a pass.

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

Mary Bailey — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 15:05:30 GMT

I have one. I work at home 9-10 hour days.I peddle a lot!

I started doing my Slim Cycle at break.

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

hckynut — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 16:13:22 GMT

@hick wrote:
I'm a senior citizen. Since then, I've been a walker, I mean a SERIOUS walker until 2 months ago when I tore the meniscus in my right knee. I'm only now starting to be able to walk around without a cane.

My worry is that I'm too "fit" and won't get a good workout from this thing although the reviews were excellent on the model that I bought.
Anybody?????
Thank you.

@hick

Step by step questions. What have you had done for your torn meniscus? You say you are just starting to "walk without a cane", and yet you are "too fit"? How do you reach the conclusion you are "too fit"?

I don't know anything about this under desk pedal exerciser, but I do know how to measure one's fitness level. What exercise or exercise machine one uses has little to do with measuring ones fitness. I'm curious how you reached your "too fit" conclusion.

hckynut 🏒

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

jackthebear — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 15:34:20 GMT

@SXMGirl wrote:
I am also thinking about this and looking for more reviews. The ones on Amazon are very good. @hckynut, John, do you have any info on this? I sent a text to my trainer, but she has not gotten back to me yet. She might not even know about it, especially since she has me on the Octane machine at the Y when I am not working out with her. My meniscus is completely gone in one knee and I am trying to avoid knee replacement.

why are u trying to avoid a knee replacement? if you can't use your knee you will become Immobile. that can't be an outcome you really would like

perhaps a call to your MD not a trainer is a better option

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

SXMGirl — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 16:36:52 GMT

@jackthebear I can use my knee but I want to get the muscles stronger around it in case I decide on replacement. At this time, replacement is out of the question. My choice. I like the Octane at the Y and would get one for home, except that it is very large and would take up too much space.

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

hckynut — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 17:32:59 GMT

@SXMGirl

After finally being able to get my wife to agree to have her right knee replaced, this is how it worked. I talked with my friend, her surgeon and her friend, on the phone, privately. Since a spouse is privy to medical information, he told me her best option.

He said, now that she is healthy, after about a dozen abdominal surgeries, this would be the time to get her TKR. This as opposed to maybe needing more abdominal surgeries, and also the aging factor, which he said can and sometimes foes make a significant difference in outcomes of recovery time.

She decided, with a little(?) help from me, to schedule it almost 3 months down the road. We set up Physical Therapy to get her quads/hamstrings/glutes stronger. Having more muscle strength is a big factory in TKR surgeries.

I understand what you are doing in your reply to @jackthebear . Because a person has knee pain, it does not exclude strengthening the muscles around the knee, the ones which actually stabilize the knee joint.

Once the knee is bone on bone, as was my wife's, there is no chance of making it worse by strengthening it's supporting muscles. It all boils down to one's willingness to endure some different types of pain. No reputable Physical Therapist is going to force their patient past their pain threshold.

When you are ready, assuming you are already bone on bone, talk with your Orthopod about your next move. Appreciate the exercises you can still do, there are many that are not able to do so, through no fault of their own.

Sending you my best,

hckynut 🏒

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

Foxxee — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 17:33:24 GMT

If you are just beginning to walk around without a cane after two months, and you are a senior citizen, you are no longer "too fit". Most likely, your leg muscles have done some atrophying. Your balance may be effected, too.

Minicycles are good for helping leg muscles get back in shape for walking while not putting too much stress on the rest of the body.

I have been using a minicycle for years at my desk while I'm reading on the computer. I use it mainly to keep my legs in shape and burn calories. I also use a mini-trampoline, but it would be too much for you at this stage.

Of course, it depends on the minicycle you purchased.

There are serious minicycles out there and some similar to toys, but the good ones offer an excellent workout for legs, but it depends on how long you pedal and the resistance you set. Set the resistance on high and you can get a good leg, buttock, and abdominal workout.

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

SXMGirl — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 17:56:45 GMT

@hckynut Thank you for your insight. It is my right knee, which means that no driving for at least 6 weeks, maybe more. I really don't have anyone who I can depend on daily to take me to pt or anywhere, and I don't want my husband to retire from a job that he enjoys.

I had x-rays several weeks ago, and the knee is only bone-on-bone where the meniscus was. The other side of my knee is perfect. Right now, I had a cortisone shot, which I am not a fan of, but I am doing ok. I was told to give it 3 months and see how it feels. Then, I can have another one or go on to a gel shot, which has to be ordered. If I am not happy with that, maybe PRP. The ortho did tell me that he does not want me to wait too long to have the replacement, if I decide the pain is such that I can no longer tolerate it. The pain was why I had meniscus surgery to start with, but this is a different ortho. No one is quite sure how my meniscus could be completely gone.

What I am trying to do is continue to build muscle around my knee. No matter what I decide, I still need strong muscles in that area. My trainer has encourged me to not take classes at the Y, but to work on some of the equipment. I found that the Octane is my favorite piece and do about 45 minutes to an hour, most days.

I see that your wife had her right knee replaced, so what was her timeline for really feeling better and being able to drive. My friend had replacement in November and has done very well, but she says that pain is still the same. She can just move better.

This is a big decision and I am just not ready for major surgery that will keep me out of everyday activities for months.

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

hick — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 10:49:13 GMT

To answer your question.......I walked 3 miles a day - up and down hills usually a 17 min mile. I think that would constitute me being "fit".

Since the tear, I have not been able to do this kind of walking.

I am asking if I will be able to work up a sweat on this little machine.

That's what I'm asking.

I too am trying to build the muscle around the tear. That's why I bought the pedal exerciser. I don't have room in my house for a recumbent bike. I'm hoping I can get the same workout with the pedal exerciser.

And...by the way....being a senior citizen does not mean you cannot be "fit".

Thank you to everyone who responded to my inquiry.

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

SXMGirl — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 13:53:53 GMT

@hick I asked my trainer at the Y about the Cubii and she just got back to me. She had not heard of it, but after researching them, she thinks this would be good to strengthen the legs and knees as long as the resistance can be controlled. I am going to watch the presentation tomorrow and see what is offered with it, such as bands, and how easy it is to change the resistance. Once I see that, I probably will contact her again for her final thoughts. DH said that he would also use it, so maybe it will work for us.

I was walking every day at our local park, which has a 3-mile track, before the weather turned so hot and rainy. Maybe once the weather cools off, I will start back to that. I do work out every day at the Y, and I am really strong for my age, so I am hoping to keep the momentum going. Taking a few months off for knees is really not in the plan, but it might need to be.

Good luck with your decisions.

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

hckynut — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 18:29:11 GMT

@hick wrote:
To answer your question.......I walked 3 miles a day - up and down hills usually a 17 min mile. I think that would constitute me being "fit".
Since the tear, I have not been able to do this kind of walking.
I am asking if I will be able to work up a sweat on this little machine.
That's what I'm asking.
I too am trying to build the muscle around the tear. That's why I bought the pedal exerciser. I don't have room in my house for a recumbent bike. I'm hoping I can get the same workout with the pedal exerciser.
And...by the way....being a senior citizen does not mean you cannot be "fit".
Thank you to everyone who responded to my inquiry.

@hick

If you are responding to my questions, I was not questioning your age or your fitness. My questions asked specifically, what method you used to determine that you were "too fit".

From your reply you undoubtedly are in good physical shape, and that sounds like you put in the time to help make your life better. I don't remember your age, maybe you mentioned it in your other post, I really don't remember or feel it is necessary.

If you've read any of my thousands of posts here in the Wellness Forum, you might be aware that I am with you when it comes to your statement: "being a senior citizen does not mean you can't be "fit".

I am an 81 year old male and I last took a Maximum Physical Fitness Treadmill Test when I was 80. In these tests "you tell them when you are done", not a typical "age programmed physical fitness treadmill test" where it is programmed to stop BY Your Age.

These types of tests are also performed using Pulmonary Cart Equipment which consist of : A Helmet on your Head/Your Nose Clipped Shut/A Tube in your Mouth, which measures Oxygen In/Carbon Dioxide Out/A 12 Lead Chest Heart Rate Monitor/An arm Blood Pressure Cuff, and a finger Oximeter.

This gives you your Maximum Vo2 numbers, also known as Maximum Oxygen Uptake, which is the most accurate reading of a human's Physical Fitness. As an 80 year old Male, I fell in the upper 3% of men 50-55 years old. And in the 70-80 bracket into the top .05%.

To equate this to your original "too fit" comment. I have never felt I am "too fit" for any type of adjustable exercise device or machine. If one can adjust resistance on any type of Cardiovascular Exercise Device/Machine, I doubt I would be "too fit" for any of them.

For future reference. Cardiovascular Physical Fitness is not measured "by what a person can do". "it is measured by how quickly your Heart Rate returns from its Maximum Beats Per Minute to its normal Beats Per Minute functioning.

Wishing you my best,

hckynut(john)

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

SXMGirl — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 18:46:42 GMT

@hckynut John, how long before your wife could drive (assuming that she does) after her right knee was replaced? DH says that if I decide to have it done, he will take time off from work. Also, my insurance, thankfully, provides home health care. I am more concerned about not doing real strength training for several months. My favorite is tire flipping and I need knee strength for that, which I am now missing out on. The longer that I am not doing it, the weaker I will get. Not good.

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

hckynut — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 20:07:03 GMT

@SXMGirl

My wife had a harder time reaching the degree of angle our Ortho friend wanted, only because of the size and shape of her upper leg. Her told her(I drove her to PT 3 times a week) if she couldn't reach 90° in the first 6 weeks?

She couldn't, so she went back into the hospital, and once again general anesthesia, he did what I believe he called it, a Manipulation Procedure.

That is where he physically forced her new knee past that 90°. He said if he didn't do that, she may never reach the desired 120° outcome to walk normally, especially stairs.

Needless to say it was quite sore after this procedure, but she(we) went to her PT the next day. From that point on she gradually got it past 110°, with the hope of reaching the desired 120° bend.

She was able to feel safe driving our automatic transmission SUV maybe a week after that, I think. As for our 5-speed manuaL? Much, much longer, mostly because she didn't want to drive it. And she was the one that wanted a manual shift when be bought it new. Now??? Now not so much.

The Physical Therapist had her doing leg raises soon after her surgery. First with only the leg and gradually adding heavier ankle weights. I have always done single weighted leg raises because it really works the hip flexors, which are really stressed when ice skating. They are the ones that pick up your legs when skating, running? Very little.

When I had leg issues, which was pretty common in at least 1 leg when reffing hockey games. I fortunately have 2 recumbents and a NuStep machine. With these I could keep my good leg strong and not get into what are called "secondary injuries".

These are mostly caused by unconsciously leaning on the good leg(knee-ankle) and that ending up being as bad, sometimes even worse, as the original injury. I also have a Total Gym where I can do 1 leg squats, which primarily works the quads.

The week after I retired a had Patella Tendinitis in my left leg. It is not s knee joint problem, but it is part of the functioning of the knee. I couldn't run/skate and barely walk down steps for over 9 weeks. Went to PT 3 times a week and was on 2400mg of Ibuprofen a day during that whole time to reduce the inflammation.

It was mostly treated by Biofeedback electrodes hooked around all the supporting knee muscles. I had to mentally teach my brain to contract my VMO muscle groups to contract BEFORE engaging the Quad muscle.

That to me was harder than a physical workout and it took a long time. These electrodes were hooked to a gauge that showed which muscles fired first. And it had to be VMO before the Quad, repetition after repetition after repetition.

From that I learned the 1 leg workouts on my many home gym machines. There is no way you TKR muscles will not get weaker during the recovery. That's why the stronger they are going in, usually the quicker the recovery.

Not sure if I covered it all. If not, ask away!

hckynut

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

SXMGirl — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 20:29:36 GMT

@hckynut Thank you so much for your reply. Since I have been told by the ortho to do no lunges or squats, I feel like my workout is stalling. The Octane machine is enjoyable since I can read while doing it, and I really feel it in the hip flexors, but I feel the need to do much more. My meniscus problem started with apparently a wrong move doing TRX, how I do not know, but I know exactly when it happened. That was about four years ago. I had to stop many of the things that I enjoy, but the Y now only offers a few classes anyway, so I am not missing too much.

You have been so helpful to me in your advice, so I will be taking it under consideration as I decide on my next move. The ortho wants me to wait until December to see how the cortisone shot works. After that, we will proceed to the next step--not sure what that will be.

Re: Under desk pedal exerciser

Deree — Sun, 30 Aug 2020 21:10:28 GMT

No you cannot get a good workout (i.e. work up a sweat) from an under the desk pedaler. Those are best suited for people who sit at a desk all day to periodically increase circulation or it may be a workout for a morbidly obese person who has never exercised a day in their life.

Physical therapy can help the torn meniscus depending on the location and size of the tear. Tears on the outside of the meniscal "doughnut" and that aren't too long are easiest to heal with PT. Tears on the inside of the doughnut don't have as good a blood supply and typically have to be repaired surgically. These are important questions to ask a surgeon before they talk you into a meniscal surgery -- location and size of the tear.

There are fold up recumbent bikes or fold up Pilates type machines to save room. Even a Pilates type chair workout. You can always look at gentle workout videos on Youtube specifically for people with meniscal tears.