Keeping Fit and Healthy

Getting Active With Hip Pain: What Your Physiotherapist Thinks Of 2 Popular Exercise Machines

15 August 2017 by Mildred Dixon

It is never too late in life to start exercising. However, as someone who is already suffering from hip pain, there are definite dos and don'ts when it comes to getting on different types of exercise equipment at your local gym. Physiotherapists have plenty to say about how beneficial exercising can be for stiff joints, but they also have plenty to say about how some exercise machines can make matters worse. While you are excited to hit up the gym equipment to help reduce your hip pain long term, here's what you need to know about the potential to do further damage to your body.

Exercise Bikes

Stationary bikes at the gym can do a world of good for your hips, but only if you follow certain rules. An exercise bike is beneficial because cycling rotates the hip gently through its normal range of motion. Physiotherapists make these recommendations about using exercise bikes in your situation:

1. Always position the bike seat to a comfortable level before starting. A bike seat which is too high or too low will aggravate the hip pain because you are either trying to stretch too far or because your leg is cramped up.
2. Don't enrol for a spin class at this time. Spin class puts your body through a very intensive workout with the cycle wheels rotating at high RPMs. The combination of low upper-body strength, hip pain and long periods cycling while standing is going to hurt you.

Ellipticals

The elliptical machine is a popular choice for cardio exercise at the gym. The motion of walking while cycling the legs gives a low impact exercise that you can do to put your hip through its range of motion. However, just like the exercise bike, it is important that the stride length of this machine suits your natural walking style. Unlike a stationary bike, you cannot adjust the height of the foot pedal of an elliptical. Additionally, if your foot is not level on the footplate, you put your hip under extra strain while it tries to stabilise your leg on the machine.

Your best option right now is to go and talk to your local physiotherapist before you put your new exercise plan into place. They can give more in-depth advice about which exercise machines will work best for you, as well as personally assessing your hip pain to give you advice about other treatment options to help you get out of pain for good.

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