Elderly Pedal Exerciser Buyers Guide

Use this elderly pedal exerciser buyers guide to look into pedal exercisers for elderly.  Indeed, this buyers guide helps the elderly and seniors to understand pedal exerciser details so they can decide which one is best. Also, the elderly pedal exerciser buyers guide is used in conjunction with elderly pedal exerciser FAQ to find the best.

Assembly

First, assembling the pedal exercise machine should be easy. In fact, the less assembly required, the better.

Construction

Second, it is preferable that the pedal be made of heavy-duty alloys or steel. At least the frame must be metal. And, since you may push them hard, the pedals need to be made from heavy duty plastic such as ABS or better. Indeed, the more solid the construction, the longer the foot pedal exerciser for elderly will last, and more stable it will be.

Display

Third, displays help you keep track of your workouts. For example, workout measurements include pedal revolutions (or rotations), time, revolutions per minute, and calories burned. Moreover, you use this information to monitor your progress over time, or simply to ensure you met your daily target. Consequently, the display is a factor in the comparison of pedal exercisers for the elderly.

Exercise

Fourth, a pedal exercising both legs and arms gives you more flexibility.

Feet

Fifth, the feet are generally made from heavy duty rubber or other similar material to protect the floor and/or the table from scratches and marks. Also, the feet helps prevent the pedal exercise machine from sliding as you pedal. Indeed, all the pedal exerciser machines, described here, are lightweight weighing less than 10 pounds. In addition, most people try to use the pedal exercise machines as they would a recumbent bike – namely by pushing the pedals away from you. This pushing action is a consequence of the chair being behind the pedal exercise machine – as with a recumbent bike. Moreover, this pushing action pushes the pedal exercise machine away from you. So instead of pushing forward on the pedals, push the pedals down towards the floor. Consequently, the pedal exercise machine may stay in place as you peddle.

Now, several pedals provide straps to tie the pedal exercise machine to the chair. On the other hand, if you choose one without the straps, there are ways to prevent the pedal exercise machine from sliding.

For example, put the chair and the pedal exercise exercise machine on a rubber matting.

Or, tether the pedal exercise machine to the chair using a rope or solid rubber strap with hooks on either end.

Foldable

Next, a folding pedal exerciser for seniors makes it easier to store it in small spaces. In addition, folding pedal exercisers are easier to carry around.

Footprint

Also, the footprint tells you how much space the pedal exercise machine is going to need, so you can decide if the pedal exercise machine is going to fit where you intend to use it.

Handle

Meanwhile, a handle makes it easier to move the pedal exercise machine around with one hand.

Height for use Under a Desk

Now, if the pedal exerciser is going to be used under a desk, you need to measure the distance between the top of your knee, when sitting on a chair, and the floor with your shoes on. Next you need to measure the highest point the top of the pedal reaches above the floor. So, to use the exerciser below a desk, the sum of these two numbers needs to be less than the distance between the underside of the table or desk top and the floor. By the way , the typical knee space under a desk is 20 to 26 inches. However, some desks or tables could be higher. Also, it may be possible to use it under a desk if you can push the exerciser further inside the desk.

While the above are only guidelines, the surest way is to try it under your desk. So, in case you need to return the exerciser, keep all the packaging material.

Noise

Next, because the pedal exercise machine may be used in office environments or while watching TV or reading a book, they need to run as quietly as possible. By the way, pedal exercise machines using magnetic resistance run quieter. On the other hand, pedal exercise machines that use friction for resistance tend to be noisy. So, to reduce this noise, take the tension knob out and put graphite powder in the tension knob’s hole. And then screw back the tension knob.

Pedals

Incidentally, to drive the pedals with your feet, the pedals need to be non-slip or else your feet will not grip the pedals. In addition, pedal straps help hold your feet to the pedal. Furthermore, the pedal straps need to be adjustable to accommodate various foot sizes.

Storage

Next, a folding pedal exerciser take up less space in storage than those that can’t be folded.

Tension

Now, tension is sometimes referred to as resistance. And, nearly all pedal exercise machines provide the capability to adjust tension so that you can change your workout intensity. However, not all pedal exercise machines provide markers that allow you to easily identify tension levels. Indeed, such markers help you record tension levels of your workouts. And these markers are especially important, if the pedal exercise machine is used by others.

By the way, tension based on friction will cause metal parts in the vicinity to heat up. Therefore, pedal exercise machines that offer protection from contact with the heated parts are better than those which don’t. Furthermore, depending on the pedal speed, and the length of time pedaling, heat could start to be felt as soon as 15 minutes after starting. However, if you are pedaling slowly, heat from friction likely won’t be an issue. Be that as it may, you can reduce the build up of heat by lubricating. In fact, to lubricate, take the tension knob out and put graphite powder in the tension knob’s hole. And then screw back the tension knob.

Transportation

Because the pedal exercise machines are used under the desk, in front of a couch, on a table, among other places, being lightweight becomes an advantage in terms of moving it from one location to another. Consequently, transportation is a factor in the comparison of pedal exercisers for the elderly.

Use

In addition, manufacturers design pedal exerciser for elderly for different uses. So, you want to look at pedal exercise machines targeted to your need. For example, some pedal exercise machines are designed for the handicapped, and some for beginners. While others are designed for strengthening legs and arms.

Warranty

Next, the longer the warranty period the better you are protected against manufacturing defects. Indeed, a 90-day period will cover the majority of manufacturing defects. And, since most defects are found in this period, it’s important to ensure your purchase is covered during that time. In addition, a longer warranty period, implies that the foot pedal exerciser for elderly is better built to last a longer time.

Weight

Finally, pedal machines that weigh less are easier to carry around. On the other hand, heavier pedal exercise machines offer more stability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you are looking for essentially a pedal exercise machine that:

Will allow you to use the pedal exercise machine under a desk or a table or on a table.

Is reasonably solid.

Is quiet.

Offers adjustable tension.

Displays exercise time, count of revolutions, revolutions per minute, and calories burned.

Has at least a 90-day warranty.

Elderly Pedal Exerciser FAQ

Elderly pedal exerciser FAQ helps the elderly and seniors understand important features of pedal exercisers designed specifically for the benefit of the elderly. Incidentally, this FAQ is also used in conjunction with elderly pedal exerciser buyers guide to find the best.

Q: What do you want from a pedal exerciser?

A: First and foremost, itemize what you want from an elderly pedal exerciser. To get you started, here are some questions to ponder.

First, do you want to be able to fold the pedal exerciser after use so you can store it away?

Second, how much space do you have for using the pedal exerciser?

Third, do you want the pedal exerciser to show your workout data like speed, time spent exercising, calories burned?

Fourth, are you going to use the pedal exerciser under a desk or table?

Fifth, do you want the pedal exerciser for exercising your legs, arms, or both?

Lastly, how much time are you going to spend everyday with the pedal exerciser?

Q: What is a pedal exerciser for the elderly?

A: A senior or elderly pedal exerciser is a tube framed machine with pedals that move just like those on a bicycle. However, unlike a bicycle, these pedals are rotated by legs while sitting in a chair or couch.

And, because they are designed for elders and seniors they are not meant for a heavy duty workout. So, instead of using them to lose weight, they are used to tone legs and arms. Most of all, tube framed pedals offer light resistance, while the cased body pedals offer higher resistance.

Q: What are elderly pedal exercisers used for?

A: Exercise pedals for elderly and seniors are used to get some exercise to stay healthy. They are used to tone leg and arm muscles and get some cardiovascular workout.

Q: What do seniors do while sitting and how long?

A: Most of all, according to the 2017 American time use survey by Bureau of Labor Statistics, seniors:

Between the ages of 65 to 74 spent 1.29 hours each day on eating and drinking.

Seniors aged 75 and up sent 1.43 hours each day on eating and drinking.

Between the ages of 65 to 74 spent 7.32 hours each day on leisure or sports activities.

Aged 75 and up spent 7.77 hours each day on leisure or sports activities.

Between the ages of 65 to 74 spent 1.5 hours each day eating, drinking, making telephone calls, mail, and email activities.

Aged 75 and up spent 1.69 hours each day eating, drinking, making telephone calls, mail, and email activities.

In conclusion, seniors between the ages of 65 to 74 spent 8.82 hours each day, essentially sitting. While seniors aged 75 and up spent 9.46 hours each day, essentially sitting.

Q: What are the consequences of sitting too much?

A: Above all, prolonged sitting on a regular basis results in health problems such as:

Metabolic syndrome

Poor blood circulation

Obesity

Posture

Develop diseases

Cancer

Mental Health

Longevity

Mortality

In addition, prolonged sitting effects the muscles in the arms and the lower body.

Q: Does sitting too much affect arm muscles?

A: Now, the major muscle groups in the arms are:

The biceps located in front of the upper arms,

The triceps located in the back of the upper arm, and

The forearms in your lower arms.

Indeed, all of these arm muscles are effected by sitting too much. In fact, the triceps are a common area for fat deposits, meaning you’re most likely to notice excess, flabby skin in this area.

Q: Does sitting too much affect the lower body muscles?

A: Especially relevant, the legs contain the most muscle groups in your body. Moreover, too much sitting causes the quads, hamstrings, and calves to change. In fact, these muscles become less toned as the muscles get smaller and less defined. Indeed, the effects are first seen on your upper legs and hips, where fat deposits are common. And, these changes are largely due to the fact that fat in this area tends to be less metabolically active than the fat in other areas of the body.

Next, the three major muscle groups in the buttocks are: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. Meanwhile, too much sitting causes these muscles to soften and become undefined, leaving your butt looking flat and misshapen. Consequently, as these muscles lose their tone, you may have difficulty maintaining good balance.

Q: How does the elderly pedal exerciser help?

A: By providing some cardio workout, the elderly pedal exerciser helps mitigate some of the negative effects of prolonged sitting. In addition, it helps tone their leg and arm muscles.

Moreover, a study was published in the March 21 2019 edition of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. In fact, the study looked at 14 years of activity and inactivity data of 92,500 people. Meanwhile, one study group consisted of participants who were least active with less than 17 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity. And, the study found that if these participants replaced just 30 minutes of sitting with light activity, their risk of premature death falls by 14 percent.

Q: Is there proof that elderly pedal exerciser really helps?

A: First and foremost, many studies show that physical inactivity and sedentary work environments increases insulin resistance. Moreover, this increase in insulin resistance leads to higher risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Incidentally, University of Massachusetts researchers published a study in October 2018 issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. Indeed, the study reported that pedaling while working improves the body’s insulin response. Most noteworthy, the pedaling was done on a machine similar to the elderly pedal exerciser.

Meanwhile, the study comprised of six men and six women overweight/obese full-time sedentary office workers. And, these seated participants pedaled for two hours while working at their desks. Incidentally, the participants pedaled at their own pace for as little or as much time as they chose.

Next, after eating a light meal, the participants provided blood samples. The blood samples were used for analysis of metabolic responses of glucose, insulin and free fatty acids. Indeed, glucose, insulin, and free fatty acids are linked to obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

When compared to sedentary behavior, the study showed that pedaling required significantly less insulin to maintain glucose concentrations. Consequently, their insulin levels were lower, which in turn, reduced their risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Consequently, the body doesn’t work so hard to maintain blood glucose and fatty acid levels when pedaling. Best of all, their work output and efficiency were not affected by the pedaling.

Q: What muscles does the foot pedal exerciser exercises?

A: Above all, the foot pedal exerciser for seniors can be used in two ways: one for exercising the arms and one for exercising the legs.

Q: What are the benefits of elderly pedal exercisers?

A: Most of all, the elderly pedal exerciser helps you in the following ways.

First, it helps prevent varicose veins.

Second, the pedal machine exercises the calf muscles which increases blood circulation to your feet and ankles and stops blood from pooling. As a result, the pedal machine reduces your risk of deep vein thrombosis or blood clots.

Third, it reduces numbness in feet and ankles.

Fourth, the pedal exerciser prevents swelling of feet, ankles, and legs from water retention due to edema. Indeed, regular use of the pedal machine, will reduce these symptoms of edema.

Fifth, it reduces damage to the knees. In fact, the smooth moving pedal machine does not cause body joints to get jerked or suddenly shocked. However, while the pedal machine does not harm the knees, people with sustained injuries or weak knees should consult a doctor before using the pedal machine.

Also, the elderly pedal exerciser strengthens and tones arms by exercising the biceps, triceps, shoulders and forearms.

In addition, the pedal exerciser improves stamina, relieves tension, improves concentration, and flexibility.

Q: How do you use the elderly pedal exerciser?

A: Elderly pedal exercisers are used in the following ways.

The Wrong Way

First and foremost, a foot pedal exerciser for elderly shouldn’t be used like a recumbent bike. Most noteworthy, when you use a recumbent bike, because the seat is somewhat away from the pedals, you end up pushing the pedals forward. So, if you do this with the pedal machine too far away from your chair, the pedal machine will either slide or tilt forward.

The Correct Way

Therefore, keep the foot pedal exerciser for seniors closer to the chair. And, don’t start pedaling until the pedal arm is in the 1 o’clock position. At that time, push the pedals downward towards the floor. And, make sure your toes are pointing forward not upwards. Consequently, you can pedal downward even when you are sitting on a low chair or couch. Moreover, when you are sitting in a low chair or couch, you work both the quads and the hamstrings.

Also, by starting at very little resistance you can learn the correct way to pedal. Most of all, focus on pedaling downwards. In addition, pedal for at least 15 minutes at very little resistance. Next, increase the resistance a little and pedal for another 15 minutes. And, repeat this sequence until you reach a resistance where you are comfortable pedaling.

Lower Body Workout

First, place pedal exerciser for seniors underneath your desk, or on the floor in front of a couch or chair. And do 20 minutes of pedaling with no resistance. Next, increase resistance and do another 20 minutes. And, repeat sequence, as necessary, to complete workout.

Arm Exercises

First, place pedal exerciser for seniors on a table with rubber mat. Next, grab pedals by the hands and rotate them forward, changing the resistance to make it somewhat of an effort. And do this for 15 minutes. Next, change direction and rotate pedals backwards for another 15 minutes. Repeat sequence, as necessary, to complete workout.

Stretch Arm Muscles

Firstly, to stretch arm muscles, put elbow on the table with your arm bent, while keeping the other arm free. Secondly, position the top of your hand so that it is touching the pedal and grasp the pedals with fingers. Thirdly, starting with no resistance, slowly push down on the pedal. Next, pull the pedal back up. And, repeat with the other arm. Next, increase resistance and repeat sequence, as necessary, to complete workout.

Strengthen Upper Body Muscles

First, place pedal machine on a table with rubber mat. Next, grab pedals by the hands and rotate them forward, starting at zero resistance And, do this for 10 minutes. Next, gradually increase time and resistance. And, repeat sequence, as necessary, to complete workout.

Knee Injury

Most of all, you can use the pedal machine to increase flexibility of muscles surrounding your injured knee. Firstly, sit in a firm but comfortable chair to stabilize your back. Secondly, place the pedal machine in front of you. Thirdly, place your feet on the pedals and slowly pedal with zero resistance. Next, gradually increase time and resistance and repeat, as necessary, to complete workout.

Stretching Injured Knee

Meanwhile, the foot pedal exerciser for elderly can be used as a stretching machine. Firstly, slide feet of the leg with injured knee in the pedal next to the floor. Secondly, rotate pedal to the highest height using the leg with injured knee. And hold that position. Next, gently push pedal back down and pull back up. And, repeat this sequence for 5 cycles.

Other

Finally, the arm and foot pedal exerciser can be used by the following:

Those in rehab
Those with disabilities
And, those with limited mobility

Q: How do elderly pedal exercisers compare with other desk exercise machines?

A: First and foremost, desk pedals have a circular motion of the lower legs and hence more circular movement of the knees. In addition, desk pedals exercise glutes, quads, hamstrings, and to a lesser extent the calves.

Meanwhile, the stepping action of sitting steppers requires pushing down on the pedals against hydraulic resistance. As a result, there is greater stress on the knees. But a better lower leg muscle workout, especially of the glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves.

Finally, under desk elliptical machines produces a walking action swinging the lower legs back and forth. Consequently, the joints relax during the exercise. In addition, the under desk elliptical machines don’t put too much stress on the legs.