I need a form of gentle exercise!

[6Tricia]

I'm 88 and not very mobile due to gammy knee, arthritis and severe balance problems, but I really need some form of gentle exercise so I'm wondering if this apparatus would be suitable?

"WOOD TREE home Treadmill, electric treadmill, 1-10 km/h 12 programs, space saving easy to move suitable for home office gym.…

 Price:£235.00

BrandWOOD TREEColourWhiteMaterialAlloy SteelItem dimensions L x W x H118 x 56 x 115 centimetresPower sourceCorded ElectricItem weight26 KilogramsMaximum weight recommendation130 KilogramsMaximum horsepower0.75 HorsepowerSpeed rating10 kilometers_per_hourMaximum speed10 kmph [Running Belt Space]: 370mm extra wide running belt, so you can run comfortably. Soft high-density damping pedals can better reduce noise and make you run more comfortably.2. [Running Mode]: There are two workout modes, walking and running mode, and up to 10km/h adjustable speed, which can fully meet your needs.3. [Easy Storage]: Integrated mobile wheels, easy to move and space saving. Suitable for the elderly and adults to exercise and enhance resistance.4. [Display]: The screen comes with a protective film, tear it off and you can use it. Running time, kilometres, speed, calories and other data can be viewed by touching the LED screen to record, the panel can be rotated 270°.5. [Long handrail design]: extra long with black foam handrails to prevent falls and improve safety. Perfect design concept for a better experience."

I've used copy and paste but it failed to include picture. It's from Amazon. I particularly like the side rails (thinking of my poor balance). I've used an exercise bike in the past but now find that my knee prevents me from using it for more than a couple of minutes.
Any advice would be most welcome.

Tricia

 

[Lanark]

You don't need any gadgets, just learn some Tai Chi and basic Yoga moves. There are lots of videos on youtube you can follow.

[doolally]

With your bad knee and balance problems, I wonder if a powered device such as this might actually be a danger. It is driving you, so you are not really in control.
Perhaps this sort of thing might be better (and cheaper!) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sunny-Health-F ... r=8-2&th=1

I would get some professional advice from your GP. Or perhaps visit your local gym to see what they think.
doolally

[ReformedCharacter]

It looks suitable to me, I note that it has a safety cord which will stop the machine if you fall over. Make sure you have some decent shoes, I find Sketchers good. Walking is good exercise for young and old.

RC

[servodude]

We contemplated a treadmill during the pandemic for family use.

In the end we went with an elliptical "Nordic Trainer" type thing as it seemed better value (or we'd have to pay quite a bit more for a treadmill that felt similarly decent) - and we can find other alternatives for walking

[Gerry557]

My first thoughts went to a stationery cycle but then saw that was deemed not suitable and it caused pain. I would double check the set up just to make sure that is not the issue rather than the knee or a contributing part. Seat height, seat positioning back and forward etc

Walking on a treadmill might also do something similar. As the other poster has pointed out it would "drive you" as you have to select a constant speed. Do you know anyone with a treadmill to try or a free gym session to help you decide.

You also mentioned a severe balance problem. Does that stop you walking generally. What about sticks or a frame? The treadmill might have handles on the side to support if you lost balance but the ground under you would still keep going and likely to throw you off unless you have the strength in your arms to support your body weight.

What are you trying to achieve with the exercise? If it's general fitness a hand bike might help or simple light weights.

I would be tempted to discuss with a doctor what you are capable of doing first as the conditions you have might be limiting.

[redsturgeon]

I would support the idea that you do need any equipment to get fitter at home.

I would recommend watching these guys who specialise in exercises for the elderly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atMJ2opvCvo

Here are some specific gentle balance exercises from a nice UK woman if Bob and Brad get on your nerves.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujoD1l4fnP4

John

[Dod101]

In my (limited) experience doctors are not very good at this sort of thing. If you can find a good physiotherapist I think he/she would be happy to help. Maybe you can find one through friends. If you can find one you feel you can trust and can 'connect' with I think that would be the way to go. They will help with strengthening muscles for balance and should be able to advise you of what exercise you can try without making things worse.

Balance is tremendously important and causes a lot of problems for older people so if you can get sensible advice to improve it that is very important. The fact that you recognise that is a help in itself. And go privately. Even if the health service can help they have not got the time, certainly in my area.

PS redsturgeon has found the sort of thing I was thinking of.

Dod

[seagles]

I would go down the doctors route for recommendations as around here they have links to leisure centres where personal trainer's create select routines. We have a 90 year old that regularly uses the equipment. There are a lot of people in the gym and on classes that you would not call typical or stero-typical types at least then you are being looked after by trained professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[6Tricia]

My thanks to everyone for their advice. Maybe I should have been clearer about my disabilities which rule out some of the suggestions made.

In addition to those already mentioned I'm very deaf and even with the help of strong hearing aids have difficulty understanding people unless they are facing me and even then only in quiet surroundings. Watching TV has become somewhat easier since more channels now offer subtitles.

My gammy knee is the result of two failed knee replacement ops. (Years of exercising hasn't helped! ). As a teenager I was diagnosed with AS which, over the years has made it difficult to move with any agility, in particular, movement of my head is very restricted - which is why I had to give up driving much sooner than I would have liked.

I already have a set of exercises, given to me by the hospital therapist when the balance problem became serious some years ago, although I must admit I don't do them very often as they make my head swim. The equipment some of you suggested would, I think, be too difficult for this rather frail old lady and with my poor hearing trying to follow the videos proved less than useful unfortunately. As for seeing a GP, forget it! My local surgery offers a telephone consultation, never the same doctor twice, and a referral to a specialist which results in being put on a waiting list for an appointment.

After the knee surgeries in 2009 and 2011 I found the exercise bike a great help. I could set myself a target for the day and feel good if I achieved it even if it took more than one time on the bike. I was disappointed that after the second surgery the pain persisted and the knee movement did not improve despite my efforts.

I still think a treadmill might be good for me. I would start by just walking on the spot without the power on, then set it on the lowest setting with the stop button in my hand. Once used to that I would probably start a schedule, something like one km per day (not all at once) for a week and a target of eventually reaching 5 kms a day. It would mean that I could exercise at home without the hassle of having to use taxis (difficult getting in and out) to get to a gym. Should I find the treadmill unsuitable I can always return it!

I use a cane in the house and garden and a mobility scooter to get to the local supermarket once a week (weather permitting).

Both house and garden are well taken care of by my wonderful friend who cleans for me and shops for anything else I need and my gardening friend who plants out and takes care of all the veggies I still manage to grow from seed and does everything else necessary to keep my small garden tidy. I am so lucky to have his help.

Tricia

[6Tricia]

Update....

Upon reflection I have decided that a treadmill would be a waste of money. My mobility is now such that even using a supermarket trolley as a crutch when cruising the aisles I'm finding it increasingly difficult to make my weekly visit to shop locally. Then too, I'm finally on the waiting list to have trapeziectomy surgery on my right hand which means that there will be a six weeks recovery period afterwards (at least) when I will need considerable help with my daily life. Some ten years ago I had a trapeziectomy on my left hand so I know what it's like - and being right handed certainly won't make it any easier!

Instead, I have started doing stretching and strengthening exercises using resistance stretch bands to prepare for the surgery and the time afterwards.

Tricia

[pje16]

Having been on crutches for the last 3 weeks (off then now) has made me appreciate getting full mobility back
I wish you all the best for the surgery
Those resistance bands are a great idea and will help

[redsturgeon]

Update....

Upon reflection I have decided that a treadmill would be a waste of money. My mobility is now such that even using a supermarket trolley as a crutch when cruising the aisles I'm finding it increasingly difficult to make my weekly visit to shop locally. Then too, I'm finally on the waiting list to have trapeziectomy surgery on my right hand which means that there will be a six weeks recovery period afterwards (at least) when I will need considerable help with my daily life. Some ten years ago I had a trapeziectomy on my left hand so I know what it's like - and being right handed certainly won't make it any easier!

Instead, I have started doing stretching and strengthening exercises using resistance stretch bands to prepare for the surgery and the time afterwards.

Tricia

Good idea.

Take care

John

[Bminusrob]

Update....

Upon reflection I have decided that a treadmill would be a waste of money. My mobility is now such that even using a supermarket trolley as a crutch when cruising the aisles I'm finding it increasingly difficult to make my weekly visit to shop locally. Then too, I'm finally on the waiting list to have trapeziectomy surgery on my right hand which means that there will be a six weeks recovery period afterwards (at least) when I will need considerable help with my daily life. Some ten years ago I had a trapeziectomy on my left hand so I know what it's like - and being right handed certainly won't make it any easier!

Instead, I have started doing stretching and strengthening exercises using resistance stretch bands to prepare for the surgery and the time afterwards.

Tricia

I think this is a good decision. If you do want to start thinking about machines, I don't think a treadmill is the best choice. If you start thinking about machines, go to a local gym, and get them to show you the way round their kit, and get advice on what they think may be appropriate for your (dis)abilities.

Personally, I am in the "good for age" category. If I get injured (which I find happens more often as I get older), I have an elliptic cross trainer, which is a very good recovery tool, and also for when the weather is too bad to go out. The best thing about them is that there is no impact when using them, so really good when recovering from knee, ankle or calf problems. I was fortunate enough to get a very good one at a ridiculously low price on eBay.

[Gerry557]

Good luck with the future. I suppose once this is sorted you can revisit what better options you might have.

You might get access to staff in the NHS that can advise you on the other aspects that you have discussed here.