work outs

[sask5]

Hi! I am new to this board and need to ask a question. I have had copd for 18 months now and the doctor has told me that I need to exercise. I live in a small town and there is no gym in town. Being winter I cannot easily walk outside as the cold air is very hard on my lungs. I have been comtemplating buying a treadmill or an elliptical trainer. Does anyone have either and would you recommend one over the other? I have been leaning towards an elliptical trainer. The main reason for my purchase is that even though I quit smoking when I was diagnosed, I have found it ever increasing hard to walk and the doctor told me that exercising would help this.

[Joyce7]

Hi---Your doctor is right, and exercise is extremely important. I am currently in pulmonary rehab, so I have machines to use right now. However, when I complete the program, I will have to figure out the best way to exercise. My daughter has an eliptical and I might try it sometime but I do know that the Treadmill is excellent...Joyce in SC

[chrisw]

Hi Sask5,
I hope I can help a little here. I am guessing that you live in Saskatchewan, but away from the major cities, or your doctor would likely be suggesting Pulmonary Rehab. This includes both exercise and education about your disease.
An excellent article about COPD education is www.perf2ndwind.org/Essentials-2005.pdf written by three of the leaders in the world for COPD, and this page www.perf2ndwind.org/education2.html gives excellent links to more information, especially about exercise.
Saskatchewan is no place for outdoor exercise especially in the winter (I lived in Regina for 12 years) so your idea of an exercise machine is good, my advice is the treadmill rather than the elliptical machine. You can start slow and on the flat for a short time and then gradually extend the time to 20 or 30 minutes, then you can gradually work up speed and grade as you get stronger. And the machine is set up to both pace and time your workout. Stretching and light weights also help to round out an exercise routine.
Treadmills are often available used when new year resolutions wear off long before the machine wears out!
You will probably find it helps to check in at Phil's Gym ( philns.proboards46.com/index.cgi?board=exercise ) to keep your determination going ;D
Good luck - I just wish all doctors would give such simple but useful advice!
Chris W

[maryaz]

sask5; I also would suggest the TM. We are looking for endurance. The easier way out may be any other machine. At least I find the TM the biggest challenge and yet the best benefit.

Another good learning for pulmonary rehab is Joyce's experience documented here as she attended.
philns.proboards46.com/index.cgi?board=rehab

I don't think the very first orientation days are numbered but you would find them and comments in the one post that is 6 or so pages.

The Gym area may have some other good helps such as PLB and warm ups and cool downs. TM does not sound like the thing to do when SOB (short of breath) but actually it is about the best. Most people find it the hardest but then there are a few like Joyce that prefer the TM. I started out at 1.2 mph for 2 minutes. It is a very gradual climb but it is possible and it will help.

Good luck. There is all kinds of ways we can help. If you have problems, please ask.

[larrynz]

I notice at rehab they had a treadmill but not a elliptical trainer. that tells us something. Walking is good but I live in a district where I can walk 12 months of the year. Somebody did tell tell me that in winter they went to a mall to walk in winter, sounds a good idea.

[LindaNY]

My doctors stress walking more than any other exercise. They both said it's the best thing anyone can do.