Need some advice on exercises

[Gav]

as a 45 year old male who suffers from Psoriatic Arthritis I wish to get some useful exercise to avoid gaining weight/getting unfit, yet I find impact exercises like football or running make things worse. My joints take days to recover nowadays.

So I'm planning on getting a static exercise bike or rowing machine, however I'm unsure which? Of the 2 which is better for overall fitness? A static bike or a rowing machine?

Thanks

Gav

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[stephandriver]

Hi Gav,

The answer to your question is pretty straight forward from a calorific perspective. The rowing machine will win hands down due to the involvement of more muscle groups and the range of motion of joints being utilised.

Whereas the cycle is limited to the lower limbs primarily, unless it is an ergo cylce which has upper limb levers as well as the pedals.

In this case the rower would still have the advantage due to the range of motion being used especially around the lower spine and uper limbs.

However be careful when flexing forward at the hips and Lx, using a rower, for the catch as you may be iritating your Lx region by doing so if this is done too vigorously. Whereas the ergo cycle would not have this problem.

But if weight loss is what you are chasing, neither of these options would be my favorite. Swimming would be the winner easily. It covers all your phsiological needs. Keeps body temperature low, ensuring aerobic training zone for fat loss. Weightless, near enough, environment. Addressing your joint stress problem. Involves the most muscle groups thereby optimising calorific expenditure.

However if you are living in Europe, bummer! Was there recently, and found an absolute dearth of pools available and the cost prohibitive.

Hope this is helpful!
Cheers
Scooba.

[Gav]

Thanks for the advice, looks like a rower is the answer. As I live in the north of Scotland outdoors exercise at this time of year can be difficult (pulled muscles due to the temperature!). Swimming as you say would be ideal, but the facilities are generally a) expensive and b) in use by local schools. Come the summer I have hundreds of hills to walk up, but for now I'll imgaine I'm rowing somewhere warm!

Cheers

Gav