Which Is Better Exercise Walking Or Bicycling? | MyCOPDTeam

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Which Is Better Exercise Walking Or Bicycling?
A MyCOPDTeam Member asked a question 💭

I am trying to decide which exercise is most beneficial for my COPD and maintaining my girlish figure ? Walking ? Or bicycling? Any thoughts or opinions would be treasured.

posted November 12, 2019 (edited)
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A MyCOPDTeam Member

Any kind of exercise is better than none at all, done at a pace that suits each individual, i exercise daily and evenings which i think helps fight any illness we may get, it helps my COPD, but it isn't a cure,

posted November 13, 2019
A MyCOPDTeam Member

It depends as I think either one will do to help you keep a shape in your figure, but then again it also depends if you have a bike or not. Myself I haven’t got a bike so I do walking. I will say this though & that is what ever you decide to do, start off slowly & build things up because you don’t want to over do it at the start. I started walking back in May this & do five or six mile walk a day, it helps with both my breathing & loss of weight. I have got Diabetes as well as COPD & my Diabetes is controlled by diet only now thankfully. I wish you well in what ever you decide on doing, stay & think positive, & hugs out to you. Paul

posted November 15, 2019
A MyCOPDTeam Member

I asked a pulmonary nurse how she kept fit, she said she did ''Iron Man'', a ridiculous sport like extreme marathon, up mountains etc.
I said wow, she must be fit, she said only her lower body, she had to work on her arms...her vascular system must be tip top, but it shows the need to do more than one thing.
The 10 pulmonary rehab exercises we were taught covered all the major muscle groups using repetitive exercises 3 minutes at a time, including rests it took 45-50 mins , recommended 3 times a week. I don't push hard, just what I can manage comfortably, plus a little, otherwise the day is written off, sometimes two days. I find lightly doing a couple in the morning (usually arm lifts ans step ups) sets me up with my second wind, and I can clear my chest better for the rest of the day as I've worked my ribs.
My repetitions are the same per minute as 5 years ago, but I've had to turn up the O2 concentrator to continue to do them, as the emphysema progresses. I'm happy with that.
😊🍀

posted November 12, 2019
A MyCOPDTeam Member

Walking, not on a treadmill, is the best exercise and gives you the biggest bang for your workout buck, because you do all the work yourself. It's hard, and it takes a log of energy and O2, whether or not you use O2. Walking on a treadmill is probably next, and if you're also trying to use up calories for weight loss, you can control that better on a treadmill. You can control speed and incline and can do intervals really easily on a treadmill, both speed and incline intervals, so it's really really good for weight control or loss. The bike will give you the least bang for your workout buck, but it is good for those big muscles in your legs.

Someone said don't forget the weights, and that's critical. If you're looking to build your strength, I'd develop a routine that has you working one set of muscles every day. You want to give each set at least 24 hours to recover, so you have to be careful, but you can build a good 30 minute routine using different exercises to target different muscle groups. The big muscles in your thighs are probably the most important; if you can get them in good shape, you'll be able to do lots of other things as well, so lunges and squats are critical.

posted November 12, 2019
A MyCOPDTeam Member

I am in therapy now to help with back problems if successful I would love to be able to walk for 20 or 30 minutes. I think any exercise is good just do what you can and enjoy each day we are blessed to share with our loved ones.

posted November 12, 2019

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