Dr. Allan Horowitz, published newspaper article, The Liberal, Copyright November 11, 1987
Now that Christmas is just around the corner, just 44 more days, I start getting asked the annual questions about rowing machines and exercise bicycles.
A father wants to buy one for the members of his family so they will not have to join health clubs. A mother wants one to work off those few extra pounds from her thighs. The kids want them so they will look like Mr. T.
The commercials are beginning on television and everyone is getting bombarded from all sides about health and fitness. The most common question I get asked is ‘if you were just going to buy one piece of equipment for your entire family, what would it be?’
My own personal first choice would be a rowing machine with a snow shovel attachment on the front end. But for some reason no company has yet to market such a device.
Over the last few years I’ve reviewed just about every piece of exercise equipment around, so I don’t want to go into them all again this year.
Some of you may remember that I even bought a rowing machine myself, and put myself on a daily rowing program to judge the effects first-hand. I am now a year older and hopefully wiser, so no such foolishness this year. Today I will just hit the research and review rowing machines and stationary bicycles.
First bicycles. They are convenient. It doesn’t matter if it is raining, snowing, or windy. It can’t be too dark. It doesn’t matter if the final Dallas show of the season is on. In other words, all environmental excuses are gone.
You don’t need a lot of time to get fit on one of these devices. Fifteen to 20 minutes, three to four times a week, should do it.
You don’t have to go to the club, get changed, wait in line for equipment, and so on. Just hop on and ride.
It is very relaxing for most people. Listen to music, talk on the telephone, watch TV, read a book, meditate, or just grunt and groan.
The one major drawback is the boredom. You know that once you climb aboard the cycle you will be there for the next 20 minutes. No change in scenery.
As far as a fitness tool is concerned, I am all in favor of cycling. There is no pounding stresses applied to the limbs or spine as there is in jogging. There is no doubt that cardiovascular fitness and lower limb muscle strength will be improved by doing the routine regularly.
The only real side effects to this type of workout include upper body stiffness, knee pain and ’seat rot.’
To reduce the stiffness, simply move your upper body continously while riding. Clap your hands, swing your arms, twist your back slowly,lean back and forth, rotate your neck in circles, etc.
To prevent knee pain (in healthy knees) make sure that when your leg is extended and reaching down for the peddle there is still approximately 15 degrees of bend in your knee joint. Adjust the seat so this is the case.
To prevent ’seat rot’ make sure your seat is tilted to the proper angle, at the right height, is well padded, the correct size and you are sitting upright.
Now that I’ve told you that riding a stationary bike is a good way to get fit, watch for more exciting information next week when I’ll tell you what to look for when picking out a bike.