It’s always advised that you slowly integrate yourself back into an exercise routine after having a hip replacement.
Jumping back into intense exercise regimes will ultimately lead to further injury.
This is the last thing you want!
In order for the body and hip to adjust to one another so that you can get back to a normal way of living, you need patience, time and a low impact exercise routine.
An exercise bike is an excellent way of strengthening the hip and improving mobility.
When Can You Start Using An Exercise Bike?
It’s always recommended you take advice from your physician or physical therapist before starting to use an exercise bike after hip replacement surgery.
However, after you have started to build more strength in your hip from walking or small hip exercise routines you can generally begin to use an exercise bike about 2-3 weeks after surgery.
When you are using it, keep your seat elevated so that your not bending or leaning forward over 90 degrees.
This will also take the pressure off your knees.
Move in small rotations – a few forward and then a few back.
This will allow to exercise effectively, improve strength in the hip and maintain a very low risk of injury.
What Type of Exercise Bike To Use
Avoiding injury is going to be priority here.
There are a number of different exercise bikes available and it can be difficult to understand what is the best to use.
However, the best exercise to use after a hip replacement is a recumbent bike.
4 reasons to use a recumbent bike after hip replacement surgery:
- Keeps your hips elevated
- Supports lower back
- Keeps pressure off the knees
- Very low risk of injury
The recumbent bike is an excellent piece of exercise equipment that will help you to recover faster from your surgery, keep you fit whilst making sure you stay safe along the way.
It differs from the upright bike in the sense that with the upright bike, your back is straight or even leaned over towards the bike.
This puts too much strain on your hip and should be avoided!
Even to use the recumbent bike for 5-10 minutes a day though is all you need.
Before you know it, you’ll have your full mobility back and carrying on with your life!
Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes To Look Out For!
So, you can attend your local gym and use the recumbent bikes they have there or you can purchase one for you own home which you can use anytime!
There are a lot of well-made recumbent exercise bikes on the market that don’t break the bank at the same time.
Check out these bikes I’ve chosen that provide ultimate sturdiness so you can cycle safely.
XS Sports Recumbent Bike
Key Features
- Can hold a weight of up to 110kgs (242 lbs)
- LCD display
- Handlebars with in-built cardio pulse sensors
- 4kg bi-directional magnetic flywheel
The XS Sports recumbent bike is an excellent and affordable bike that provides all the exercise you need.
It has an LCD display that provides information on distance, time, speed and calorie pulse guide.
Fully padded and adjustable seat so you can find the perfect fit for you.
V-Fit G-RC Recumbent Bike
Key Features
- Can a weight of up to 115kgs (253 lbs)
- 7-function exercise monitor
- 8 levels of resistance
- Handlebars with pulse sensors
The V-Fit G-RC recumbent bike is an incredibly sturdy piece of fitness equipment.
Fully adjustable seat with large back and bum rest that provide optimum comfort for you.
It has a very stylish exercise monitor that provides information on your time, speed, distance along with a calories burned indicator measured from the pulse sensors on the handlebars.
Marcy Start ME709
Key Features
- Can hold a weight of up to 110kgs (242lbs)
- 2 inch thick 40cm wide foam seat for comfort
- 8 resistance levels
- User friendly LCD exercise monitor
The Marcy Start ME709 is a very comfortable recumbent bike with a large bum and back rest that provide full comfort whilst you cycle.
It has 8 resistance levels available so whenever you begin to feel stronger, you can slowly increase the resistance.
The LCD screen will display all the information you need in regards to time, distance, speed along with a calories burned guide.
Exerpeutic 900XL Recumbent Bike
Key Features
- Can hold a weight of up to 136kgs (300 lbs)
- Large oversized seat cushion
- Handlebars with in-built cardio pulse sensors
- 8 levels of resistance
The Exerpuetic 900XL recumbent bike is one of the most heavy duty recumbent bikes you can get.
It provides the best in comfort with it’s large back rest so you can exercise without being under any strain.
It has an LCD display that provides all the relevant information you need in terms of speed, distance, time and guided calories burned.
Sunny Health & Fitness Recumbent Bike
Key Features
- Can hold a weight up to 350lbs
- Large non-slip workstation platform
- Water bottle holder
- Step through design
The Sunny Health & Fitness recumbent bike is a great bike for multitasking.
You can get your daily dose of exercise in while reading a book or watching your favourite show in front of you thanks to the large work surface.
It also has the step through design making getting onto the bike and off it very easy. No need for stepping over and causing further injury.
Staying Safe While Exercising
So that’s what it’s all about!
Simply staying safe and being aware of your current limits.
Coming out of hip replacement surgery can have a big toll on the body so when you are exercising, just slowly integrate yourself back into it.
The recumbent exercise bike will surely help you to build up your strength, improve mobility so that you can once again walk with a spring in your step.
If you have any questions, please drop me a comment and I’ll be sure to get back to you!