My mom is 73 years old and has a bike named “Pearl”.

She rides her bike, Pearl, usually everyday weather permitting, averaging about 25 miles. I say average because she might go for a quick ride and only get in 20 or she may be riding with a group to go eat lunch in the next town and ride 48 that day.

But she stays active by riding her bike.

When you go to out patient physical therapy, sometimes depending on your injury, they will warm you up on the stationary bike. The PT may want you to get your muscles warmed up, your blood pumping and start moving that body getting it prepped for some stretches, exercises and movement.

So what are your options when you are getting home physical therapy? What ways can you use a stationary bike and what other uses are there for the equipment?

These are great questions!

Stationary Bike for Home

Let me tell you some things I like about this bike

• 1st of all can we get an Amen on that seat!!! That seat is nice and wide and lets you lean back and it also has side bars. In the likeness more of a recumbent bike where you don’t have to be bent over the handle bars and you don’t have to try to fit on that tiny seat.
• You can set the resistance for when you are pedaling. You may need to start out on the least amount of resistance when you start and work your way up to a harder resistance. But you definitely have options.

• This bike comes with an easy to read computer screen. It can help you track your heart rate, speed, distance, time, calories burned and odometer which shows in extra large and clear numbers for great readability. It also features Bluetooth Smart Technology. The iPad holder allows you to watch TV while cycling.
• This bike is perfect for seniors to get on and off of and easy to get your feet on the pedals and off again.
• Last but not least, It comes with a cup holder!!! Yes!!

Mini Bike Exerciser For Legs and Arms

This option would be if you don’t have as much room.

• This is just plain CONVENIENT! Get your physical therapy leg exercise or arm workout from the comfort of your own home.
• In the likeness very VERSATILE! You can use this for an arm bike or strap in your feet for the perfect leg exerciser while sitting.
• This leg and arm exercise equipment is easy to pedal and easy on your joints.
• It offers resistance as you gradually increase muscle strength. Perfect for physical therapy equipment or as exercise bikes for seniors
• Super USER FRIENDLY: Keep it simple with an easy to read LCD monitor. Displays speed, distance, time and estimates calories burned so you can keep track of your arm or leg workout.

Least Expensive and Low Impact Option

• You can use this mini exercise bike (pictured below) for leg and arm cycling exercises or knee recovery exercises, to strengthen arms and legs, increase circulation, improve stamina and relieve tension after long time sitting or working. It’s perfect for rehabilitation following a surgery or injury.
• It does have an adjustable resistance.
• In the likeness very lightweight so it can be moved to the floor, to the table or to a counter top.
• It claims it only needs 3 steps to assemble, it comes with toolkit and user guide, and states, “very easy to assemble”

Which Option, You Choose!

To heal at home on a recumbent bike definitely has great benefits. Due to the design of each of these options they all put less strain on your back, hips, and knees. When you are recovering from injury or surgery, the goal is to rehabilitate you back to the point you were before that event. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, this can take considerable time. Starting slow, while providing gentle exercises to regain lost muscle tone and strength.

While you can use any of these options for strength training, they are more often used as a way to work the same muscle groups as an upright bike, but with less trauma to the joints. If you have arthritis or a tendon injury, these bike options are a great place to start to recover or, at least, be more active.

All of these options provide a cardio workout with less strain on the heart. With a goal of increasing heart rate and blood circulation, you can still get a great cardio workout with less stress on your joints.

If you have balance issues, these options are often recommended. For patients recovering from a stroke, they can get a cardio workout in.

Which one do you prefer?

Which option would help you with your rehabilitation at home?

Let me know in the comments!