I am looking for something I can use at home with my bad arm and arthritic hips. (old before my time) Has anyone tried any exercise equip besides treadmill or bicycle that has worked for them?
Thanks,
Sunny
Exercise equipment
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rachelcasa
- Posts: 729
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2003 11:45 pm
Re: Exercise equipment
Sunny,
If you have a physical therapist they use these huge bands like rubber bands. After I had my surgery my pt gave me one to use for my therapy. Although I am two years out of surgery it is still a good idea to stretch and use the band. Sometimes it seemed to put a lot of added strain on my neck but they do have different colors which mean different levels of difficulty. Ask for a lighter one and although the good arm seems to do it with much ease you are still working the bad arm. If you cannot find one with a pt I would check at any store that carries exercise equipment. Another thing that is kind of fun to is the eliptical machine...(i'm not workout queen by the way) hehe..the eliptical machine I work out on at the club has a handle that moves with your arm (which is frustrating) but it also has a stable handle that you can just hold onto so you don't have to have the rigorous range of motion on your arm. Hope it helps.
If you have a physical therapist they use these huge bands like rubber bands. After I had my surgery my pt gave me one to use for my therapy. Although I am two years out of surgery it is still a good idea to stretch and use the band. Sometimes it seemed to put a lot of added strain on my neck but they do have different colors which mean different levels of difficulty. Ask for a lighter one and although the good arm seems to do it with much ease you are still working the bad arm. If you cannot find one with a pt I would check at any store that carries exercise equipment. Another thing that is kind of fun to is the eliptical machine...(i'm not workout queen by the way) hehe..the eliptical machine I work out on at the club has a handle that moves with your arm (which is frustrating) but it also has a stable handle that you can just hold onto so you don't have to have the rigorous range of motion on your arm. Hope it helps.
Re: Exercise equipment
I started doing Tai Chi in November and even in the hospital in December and January, I was able to do some of the exercises, which involve slow stretching movements and deep breathing.
It has been a wonderful discovery to find this form of exercise and I am hoping it will continue to help me with balance issues.
I got a dvd and book and just follow along. The fact that my bpi arm has limited range has not been an issue. I just adapt and it has actually been kind of freeing not to worry about it.
Nancy Birk
UBPN President
LOBPI, 52 years
It has been a wonderful discovery to find this form of exercise and I am hoping it will continue to help me with balance issues.
I got a dvd and book and just follow along. The fact that my bpi arm has limited range has not been an issue. I just adapt and it has actually been kind of freeing not to worry about it.
Nancy Birk
UBPN President
LOBPI, 52 years
Re: Exercise equipment
I was actually considering both of the things yall suggested. I was thinking about one of those Gazelle things that is an elliptical machine that puts no stress on the joints. I have also been trying to find info on Tai Chi. I'm looking for exercise for cardio and to help my diabetes that I can do in spite of the Erb's and arthritis. Thanks to you both for the info.
-Sunny
-Sunny
Re: Exercise equipment
Sunny- my grandmother who had hip replacement and arthritic knees loves the machine that Tony Little endorses. I believe it is called the Gazelle. If that is too expensive, try Pilates. You can get a dvd at any Walmart, or Kmart. Target has a good selection too, that's where I get mine.
Marlyn
Marlyn
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hope16_05
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
- Location: Minnesota
- Contact:
Re: Exercise equipment
Sunny,
While I was home on break from college my parents boughts a gazelle andit was so much fun. It even worked my bpi arm. I loved it! If you are looking into one I would suggest just the plain gazelle not the supra. When I tried the supra in a local store it did not glide, put a lot more stress on my knee(I injured my knee in a softball game several years ago)Also I did not feel like it was very good for my bpi arm. It takes my muscle than I have use of in my bpi arm to work the arms. With the plain gazelle though I was able to do some arm stuff, a lot of just range but I did work it some too.
Good luck deciding, hope what ever you do works well for you and is pain free!
Amy, age ROBPI from MN
While I was home on break from college my parents boughts a gazelle andit was so much fun. It even worked my bpi arm. I loved it! If you are looking into one I would suggest just the plain gazelle not the supra. When I tried the supra in a local store it did not glide, put a lot more stress on my knee(I injured my knee in a softball game several years ago)Also I did not feel like it was very good for my bpi arm. It takes my muscle than I have use of in my bpi arm to work the arms. With the plain gazelle though I was able to do some arm stuff, a lot of just range but I did work it some too.
Good luck deciding, hope what ever you do works well for you and is pain free!
Amy, age ROBPI from MN
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN