Written by: Amy Sloane
If you have aching joints, then it may be a challenge to exercise and get healthy. However, you can find a way to get the movement that you need without further hurting your body. One of the best ways to get exercise with aching joints is to ride a bike. Here are some top bike riding tips for those with aching joints.
1. Start Slowly
The first thing that you will want to do is starting slowly if you haven’t ridden a bike in a while. You will want to test how your joints feel while you are on the bike. Take a ride around the block and stop for the first couple of days. If you do not feel any pain, the try to go on a long bike ride.
If you plan to go bike riding for the day, be sure to stop every few minutes to give your joints a rest. By starting slowly, you will be able to give your joints time to adjust and you will be able to enjoy your ride.
2. Use an Electric Bike
One one of the best ways to enjoy bike riding with aching joints is to get an electric bike or an ebike. With en electric bike, you will have an electric motor that will assist you in the propulsion of the vehicle. This allows you to put less stress on your joints.
For instance, let’s say that you are starting to experience some pain or discomfort while riding your bike, you can stop pedaling and the bike will continue to move forward. In fact, an electric bike can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour without much pedaling.
There are a number of different electric bikes available from a number of manufacturers. These bikes come about 85% assembled. All you have to do is install the battery, which can be done in minutes with the help of the bike maker’s online video tutorial.
3. Have Your Seat at the Right Height
One of the most important things that you have to do is check the height of your seat. If you are riding too low, then you will be putting too much stress on your joints. If you are seated too high, then it will be too hard for you to pedal properly.
Try a couple of different seat heights and then ride the bike up and down the street. After a while, you should be able to find the ride height that is ideal for you.
4. Have the Right Gear
In addition to having the correct ride height, you will want to make sure that you have the ideal gear for riding your bike. If you are on the right gear, then you may be giving your joints too much undue stress. Be sure to test out a number of gears before settling on the right one.
5. Avoid Riding Uphill
To ensure that you are not stressing out your joints each time you are riding your bike, you will want to avoid riding uphill. That’s because you will have to pedal harder in order for you to make it up the incline. Try to map out your bike ride so that you are on an even grade throughout the duration of the ride.
If you find yourself having to go uphill with a bicycle, then you should get off your bike and walk it to the top of the hill.
6. Stretch Beforehand
It is a good idea to stretch out your body before you do any physical activity. That is especially true if you are going to ride your bike. You will want to make sure that your legs are limber and that you don’t have stiffness in your joints.
7. Stop If It Hurts
This may seem obvious. However, it should be stated that you should stop riding your bike if you are having any pain. The pain is your body telling you that it can not go on with the current activity.
8. WATCH OUT FOR DELIVERY TRUCKS
Cyclists in urban areas must remain wary of delivery trucks such as Amazon’s, as these can make sudden stops and maneuvers, potentially blocking bike lanes or roads and creating hazards for cyclists. To stay safe, it’s essential to maintain a safe distance, be aware of blind spots where drivers might miss seeing you, signal your intentions clearly, and look out for blind spots where drivers might miss seeing cyclists before opening doors or stepping out onto streets. Should something unexpected occur, contact an Austin Amazon delivery accident attorney immediately in order to protect your rights and ensure a successful outcome for yourself if anything does arise from this!
Yes, You Can Ride a Bike With Aching Joints
Try one or more of the following tips to get the physical activity that you need, even if you have aching joints. With the proper, regular exercise, you can feel better and avoid joint pain.
