9 replies to this topic

[Webwych]

OK, brief history.

I have spina bifida, and about three years ago (after of a period of not walking due to badly fitting calipers and boots) I got myself some nice ergonomic crutches from America, insisted on some new calipers and boots from the NHS and set about walking every other day. This lasted two years, walking every other day and gradually it built up to 45 minutes on my feet. From nowhere I started getting bad spasms in my back, inside my right leg and left knee. I pushed on for a while but they steadily got worse so I stopped walking. I could have understood if this happened at the beginning, but this came on AFTER I had got into a good routine of exercise.

Not walking or being able to find a suitable alternative has been bad for me both physically and psychologically so I have tried to walk again - starting from scratch with just standing up - for the last few days. Same result but this time with added expletives.

However I do have well toned arms from pushing my wheelchair and we have a long driveway in a slight incline which gets me moderately 'puffed out' so I am thinking this is the next best alternative to walking (I was warned by doctors that arthritis in the shoulders and elbows is a big risk when you use crutches and being an artist, I certainly want to avoid that if possible!) . I'm not a bit eater, but I do recognise that I need to do more exercise to burn the calories that I am consuming.

My question is, can I get a pedometer for my wheelchair that counts rotations rather than steps so I know how much I should be doing a day to keep myself fit?

Thanks

[greybeard]

I was told by a PT doctor that I needed to push twice the distance to burn the same amount of calories as when walking.

So if you are just planning wheeling up and down your drive for exercise, just do twice as many laps. There! You just saved the cost of a pedometer for your chair (if such a thing exists)

[Webwych]

greybeard, on Sep 12 2009, 05:35 PM, said:

I was told by a PT doctor that I needed to push twice the distance to burn the same amount of calories as when walking.

So if you are just planning wheeling up and down your drive for exercise, just do twice as many laps. There! You just saved the cost of a pedometer for your chair (if such a thing exists)

It's a looong drive way . I did it five times (but only counted the push up because that's where I'm putting the effort in) then I'm muscles screamed 'Do that again and you DIE!' LOL.

I'm back at Uni again soon too and I'm always on the move there so that'll help too.

Thanks for the info

[hooplady]

Try a bicycle odometer. Basically it's just a small computer and a sensor mounted to the frame that measures the rotation & speed of the wheel. You should be able to fine-tune the settings to match your wheel size.

[Webwych]

hooplady, on Sep 12 2009, 07:02 PM, said:

Try a bicycle odometer. Basically it's just a small computer and a sensor mounted to the frame that measures the rotation & speed of the wheel. You should be able to fine-tune the settings to match your wheel size.

Thanks! I shall look into that.

[LuckyinKentucky]

hooplady, on Sep 12 2009, 11:02 AM, said:

Try a bicycle odometer. Basically it's just a small computer and a sensor mounted to the frame that measures the rotation & speed of the wheel. You should be able to fine-tune the settings to match your wheel size.

For sure!!! If by some chance you were able to find a wheelchair pedometer it would cost at least 3 times as much as a bike one and would not be as good. There will be a great variety of choices on the bike market , you can probably even get one with a built in heart rate monitor, lap timer, maybe even the annoying little beeping that tells ya when to step...on second thought screw the beeping app.

[Webwych]

LuckyinKentucky, on Sep 13 2009, 07:47 AM, said:

hooplady, on Sep 12 2009, 11:02 AM, said:

Try a bicycle odometer. Basically it's just a small computer and a sensor mounted to the frame that measures the rotation & speed of the wheel. You should be able to fine-tune the settings to match your wheel size.

For sure!!! If by some chance you were able to find a wheelchair pedometer it would cost at least 3 times as much as a bike one and would not be as good. There will be a great variety of choices on the bike market , you can probably even get one with a built in heart rate monitor, lap timer, maybe even the annoying little beeping that tells ya when to step...on second thought screw the beeping app.

Hehe, I think that little beep would be a good thing. I am the kind of person who can be lazy...until I get something set in my mind then I usually have to be forced to stop cos I got at it like a chipmunk on crack so I think the beep would be good.

Where exactly would I attached it?

Thanks for your comment, Lucky

Edited by Webwych, 13 September 2009 - 03:14 PM.

[LuckyinKentucky]

The ones i have seen for bikes are usually made to attach to the tubing like on the handlebars. This should make for an easy fit either to the crossbar just under you seat (if you want it outta the way) or on the front knee of your chair (if you want it easily visible).

[hooplady]

Attaching it might be tricky. I haven't bought one for a few years so maybe there are different models now - probably even wireless and more powerful than my first computer. As I recall they generally have a bit that attaches to a standard wheel spoke so if you have bladed wheels that may not work. I'd go to an actual bike shop and explain what you need. The guys/gals that work there are usually gearheads and tinkerers and love to solve problems like that.

Lucky's right...as soon as you put the word "wheelchair" in front of it the price triples!

[Webwych]

Thanks guys . We have a local branch of a large bike shop here so I think the best thing to do would be to go in and ask their advice.

I'm also looking at the possibility of joining a local gym as I get student discounts at a nice one in town with wheelchair facilities and could probably do with someone to kick my a$$ occasionally to keep my momentum up .