How Regular Cycling Can Help Your Arthritis

Cycling is an excellent form of exercise for Americans of numerous ages and health conditions because of its low-impact nature. A great cardiovascular workout, it also serves to strengthen the core and the leg muscles.

These aren’t the only cycling health benefits in Boca Raton, FL, thought. Cycling can also help alleviate some symptoms of arthritis, as the repetitive motions encourage the production and flushing of fluids through the knee joint area. This results in some natural lubrication that washes away waste and prevents buildups of scar tissue and other potentially arthritis-causing agents.

It is still recommended that people who engage in regular cycling add another weight training activity to their workout regimen, because cycling is relatively non-weight bearing and doesn’t do much to encourage bone density. However, it makes for a great complement to just about any type of weight training regimen you incorporate into your routine throughout the week.

Depending on the type and extent of arthritis you have and where it’s located, there are also some modifications you can make to your cycling each time you go out. Here are a few quick examples:

• Recumbent bikes: Recumbent bikes, which involve the cyclist lying down and stretching their legs, put almost no weight on the upper body at all, and give plenty of back support in the seat. These are usually used as biking alternatives for people who have arthritis, and can help with a specific range of motion in the knee and lower body that people with arthritis in the knees need to work on.
• Alternative frames: Mounting and dismounting a bike can become difficult for a person with arthritis. There are different frame options a person can seek out to make it easier, including unisex frames rather than high-bar frames. In addition, you could change your mounting or dismounting method, laying the bike flat on the ground and stepping over it before lifting it back up.
• Technological advances: There are some new technologies being used on today’s bikes that are especially helpful for people with arthritis. Automatic shifters can get built into the pedal mechanism, and there are other electronic brake and shifter options, all of which can make cycling more accessible for a wider variety of people who might not otherwise be realistically able to get out on a bike.

It’s always a good idea to have a properly fitted bike, but especially so if you are someone who is using cycling as a way to work through symptoms of arthritis. Visit a professional at a bike shop and have them guide you through the process of fitting a bike for you. They’ll also be able to give you more information about specific bike features that you may find useful as a person with arthritis.

For more information about various cycling health benefits in Boca Raton, FL, particularly as it relates to dealing with symptoms of arthritis, contact Bicycle Doctor House Calls today. We can help you make modifications to make your bike easier and more comfortable to ride.

Categorised in: Benefits of Cycling

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