Anyone used a pedal exerciser?

lypeaches · 01-26-2012, 12:03 PM

So, I'm thinking of getting one of those small, portable pedal exercisers for use on the days when weather is inclement, or I'm having ankle pain or so.

Has anyone else here used them before? Are they effective at all in terms of getting some aerobic exercise? I don't have the space for a full on recumbent bicycle.

This is one I'm thinking of getting...

Fat Brian · 01-26-2012, 04:09 PM

We have something similar to that, the biggest problem is finding a comfortable chair to use in.

LinathSuru · 01-26-2012, 05:05 PM

My boyfriend ran into the same issue, that being comfort. He does say it worked pretty well though for getting some exercise.

lypeaches · 01-27-2012, 06:44 AM

Cool, thanks for the input.

So, was it impossible to get a chair that was comfortable? or just that you had to try different ones... I think I read a review where someone said a kitchen chair worked best....

Pear320 · 01-27-2012, 07:42 AM

This looks exactly like the one I have and I'm happy with it because it doesn't "jump" or move round when I'm using it (like I thought it might). For the price its heavy and seems to be made well. As for the type of chair to use, because my legs are short (I'm only 5'2"), I found that a living room occasional chair with arms is best.. for me. When I tried a kitchen chair I felt like I was going to flip off the chair seat.

Fat Brian · 01-27-2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lypeaches

Cool, thanks for the input.

So, was it impossible to get a chair that was comfortable? or just that you had to try different ones... I think I read a review where someone said a kitchen chair worked best....

You just have to find the right chair. It just takes a few tries to find a comfortable position to be in.

Miss Vickie · 01-27-2012, 05:31 PM

Do you guys feel like the rotation of the pedals is big enough? It just looks really cramped to me, and the ones I've used before made my shins hurt. I think I must have been curling my toes because it just didn't fit me right.

Is it best to sit up, do you think, or can it be used as a recumbent somehow?

Pear320 · 01-28-2012, 06:24 AM

Miss Vickie .. I think its an individual thing. Now with the one I have the rotation of the pedals (for me) is big enough but it might be because I'm short. And the living room chair I use DOES make it like a recumbent. I tried several chairs in the house and this chair worked best for me (I'm not squeezing and curling my toes to use it). Like Fat Brian said you have to try several chairs to find a comfortable position. I remember I had to.

~Jan

lypeaches · 01-28-2012, 07:36 AM

Well, I settled on a different one actually, from a place that will accept returns, so I ordered it in to give a try.

I'll let you know how it goes Vickie!

Fat Brian · 01-28-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Vickie

Do you guys feel like the rotation of the pedals is big enough? It just looks really cramped to me, and the ones I've used before made my shins hurt. I think I must have been curling my toes because it just didn't fit me right.

It was a little odd for me but I'm tall, for 5'2" Crystal the throw of the pedals was fine. Some seem to have longer pedal shafts than others so it might take a few to find one that fits.

toni · 01-28-2012, 12:13 PM

I used one at work after I had my second child. It was not comfortable or easy to position myself to use it. My feet always flew off the pedals.

lypeaches · 02-10-2012, 10:33 AM

Alright, so I finally go mine...bought it from Wayfair for about $40.

My review. For me, I'm short, 5'3". Thanks to the tips here, I just tried it with my kitchen chair immediately, and that did the trick.

It is not equivalent to a bike, as there is little to no tension. However, I found that if you add ankle weights, pedal at a decent clip, and possibly pump your arms a little, you can actually work up a pretty good sweat.

Is it perfect? No. Takes a little fiddling around to get the right position...but it is a non-weight bearing aerobic exercise, and that's hard to find for me, so I'm very happy to now have this option on the days my feet and ankles just aren't up to walking.

Bonus, I can watch TV while I do it.

lypeaches · 02-10-2012, 10:54 AM

Link to the one I bought...

http://www.wayfair.com/Stamina-InStr...5-SSM1083.html

01-26-2012, 04:09 PM	#2
Fat Brian retarded disfigured clown Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: On a supersonic bacon train. Posts: 1,640	We have something similar to that, the biggest problem is finding a comfortable chair to use in. __________________ Master of the Universe, valid only at participating locations.

01-26-2012, 05:05 PM	#3
LinathSuru Dreamer Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 210	My boyfriend ran into the same issue, that being comfort. He does say it worked pretty well though for getting some exercise. __________________ Transcendence - One awesome message here.

01-27-2012, 07:42 AM	#5
Pear320 Made in Detroit Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 100	* This looks exactly like the one I have and I'm happy with it because it doesn't "jump" or move round when I'm using it (like I thought it might). For the price its heavy and seems to be made well. As for the type of chair to use, because my legs are short (I'm only 5'2"), I found that a living room occasional chair with arms is best.. for me. When I tried a kitchen chair I felt like I was going to flip off the chair seat.

01-28-2012, 06:24 AM	#8
Pear320 Made in Detroit Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 100	* Miss Vickie .. I think its an individual thing. Now with the one I have the rotation of the pedals (for me) is big enough but it might be because I'm short. And the living room chair I use DOES make it like a recumbent. I tried several chairs in the house and this chair worked best for me (I'm not squeezing and curling my toes to use it). Like Fat Brian said you have to try several chairs to find a comfortable position. I remember I had to. ~Jan

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01-27-2012, 06:44 AM	#4
lypeaches Master Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: new york Posts: 1,436	Cool, thanks for the input. So, was it impossible to get a chair that was comfortable? or just that you had to try different ones... I think I read a review where someone said a kitchen chair worked best....

01-27-2012, 05:31 PM	#7
Miss Vickie Executive Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 8,951	Do you guys feel like the rotation of the pedals is big enough? It just looks really cramped to me, and the ones I've used before made my shins hurt. I think I must have been curling my toes because it just didn't fit me right. Is it best to sit up, do you think, or can it be used as a recumbent somehow?

01-28-2012, 07:36 AM	#9
lypeaches Master Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: new york Posts: 1,436	Well, I settled on a different one actually, from a place that will accept returns, so I ordered it in to give a try. I'll let you know how it goes Vickie!

01-28-2012, 12:13 PM	#11
toni In the know Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: EWR Posts: 3,087	I used one at work after I had my second child. It was not comfortable or easy to position myself to use it. My feet always flew off the pedals.

02-10-2012, 10:33 AM	#12
lypeaches Master Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: new york Posts: 1,436	Alright, so I finally go mine...bought it from Wayfair for about $40. My review. For me, I'm short, 5'3". Thanks to the tips here, I just tried it with my kitchen chair immediately, and that did the trick. It is not equivalent to a bike, as there is little to no tension. However, I found that if you add ankle weights, pedal at a decent clip, and possibly pump your arms a little, you can actually work up a pretty good sweat. Is it perfect? No. Takes a little fiddling around to get the right position...but it is a non-weight bearing aerobic exercise, and that's hard to find for me, so I'm very happy to now have this option on the days my feet and ankles just aren't up to walking. Bonus, I can watch TV while I do it.

02-10-2012, 10:54 AM	#13
lypeaches Master Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: new york Posts: 1,436	Link to the one I bought... http://www.wayfair.com/Stamina-InStr...5-SSM1083.html