According to the American College of Sports Medicine, ACSM, being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including hypertension, high levels of triglycerides, type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea and respiratory problems, back pain, osteoarthritis, and some cancers. This is why so many people who are overweight participate in an exercise program. If you are overweight and are looking to begin an exercise program, it is important to know what type of equipment to look for.
Recumbent Bikes
A common problem among larger people is joint pain. As you lose weight you will often notice a decline in this joint pain, but to lose the weight you need to start an exercise and diet program. The American Council on Exercise, ACE, recommends one to two pounds per week of weight loss using a combination of diet and exercise. Cardiovascular exercise for at least 30 to 45 minutes per day is a great way to accomplish this. Choosing exercise that is non-weight bearing will help you reduce joint pain and a recumbent bike is a great choice. Recumbent bikes have a seat that provides back support, making riding much more comfortable than riding on a standard upright bike.
Treadmills
If you enjoy walking or jogging and your joints can tolerate it, then a treadmill may be a great choice for you. You want to make sure you look for treadmills that can accommodate a higher weight tolerance if you need it, as many of the consumer models are only built for weights up to 250 lbs. It is better to get a treadmill that can tolerate significantly more weight than your body weight for maintenance and safety reasons. Look for treadmills that have decks which are able to absorb impact, which will reduce impact on your joints. You should also look for models which are built with with extra support and heavy duty hand holds, as many of the consumer versions are not sturdy. One good thing to consider is purchasing a used commercial treadmill from a resell store. The commercial models are built to last for many years and have higher weight tolerances.
Recumbent Steppers
Another great exercise which provides a non-weight bearing workout is the recumbent stepper or elliptical trainer. NuStep makes a recumbent step machine with a seat that provides back support and swivels out to make access into the unit very easy. SciFit also makes a recumbent machine, but their model allows you to perform an elliptical type of movement with your legs. Both units also allow you to work your arms at the same time as you work your legs, so you get a total body workout.
Aquatics Equipment
If you enjoy exercising in the water, then you should consider some good aquatics exercise equipment. Many companies make belts and weights which allow you to walk or jog in the water and exercise your arms at the same time. The Aqua Jogger Hydrotherapy belt is one good device for assisting you with water exercise. The hand weights are typically made of a foam type of material and they are designed to provide resistance in the water as you move them around, giving you a great strength training workout.
References
- American College of Sports Medicine: PHYSICAL INACTIVITY AND OBESITY TRANSLATES INTO ECONOMIC IMPACT
- Obesity Panacea: Supersized Exercise Equipment
- American Heart Association: Obesity and Overweight
- Hot Exercise: Don't Let Obesity Stop You Exercising
- American Council on Exercise: Weight Loss: Diet Versus Exercise
Member Comments