If I use my walker to walk am I getting enough exercise

joannwatson1952 · July 2022

I have found out Due to a balance problem I won’t be able to walk without a walker anymore. Will I still be able to get enough exercise with the walker. I don’t go fast and I can’t go far at one time.

AliceMadHatter89 · July 2022

Heya!

I use a wheelchair and wonder the same thing. What I've been doing is just pushing laps around my house.

At first I thought it was stupid because it felt too easy and like it wasn't enough exercise. What I've found out is I can go longer and faster now...which to me is improvement and how can it not be exercise? Now I'm slowly increasing laps up my ramp. It may not burn off the same as someone walking, but it's better than not moving at all!

You mention you can't go fast or far at one time, that's understandable. Maybe that could be your starting point? Slowly working your distance up. After a while, if you feel safe enough, maybe you could try increase the speed even just a little bit.

I've learned with mobility difficulties you just have to get a little creative with your exercise and to acknowledge your own improvements and accomplishments.

Best of luck!!

IAmTheGlue · July 2022

The good news is: Weight loss happens in the kitchen. Exercise is for fitness. You can absolutely improve your fitness at any age or any stage.

I used to work in a long term healthcare facility and we did tons of chair exercise videos. Chair yoga, chair tai chi, chair aerobics, etc. Do what you can and ask your doctors for guidance. I have a recumbent exercise bike that I use daily. Maybe you could use something like that for a few minutes a day?

spiriteagle99 · July 2022

Any exercise is better than no exercise. With balance issues, it really becomes important to strengthen your legs, as that can help keep you from falling and will help you be able to get up when you do fall. So move however you can. There are walkers where you stand upright rather than bending over. That might be better for moving a bit more quickly.

cmriverside · July 2022

I agree that all exercise is good exercise and that weight loss happens in the kitchen.

FWIW, I walk daily and there is a man who walks all over town with his fancy walker. He is pretty fast with it, so I don't think he's lacking in fitness at all. He's probably walked a lot more miles than I have, I see him all over the place.

LiveOnceBeHappy · July 2022

Move as much as you are able, how you are able! I figure if we don’t move, eventually we won’t be able to move. Use it or lose it. And you’ll likely get even better at it! As others have mentioned, for loss you don’t have to exercise, but if you want to be as mobile as possible for as long as possible, move!

If I use my walker to walk am I getting enough exercise

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