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Are you looking for an occupation-based treatment? For patients seeking to improve their fitness, recover from injuries (such as cardiac surgery) or improve mobility, an arm ergometer machine is just like a bike, but for your arms!
Let’s explore what an arm ergometer is, how it works, its health benefits, types and its applications in healthcare.
According to this article by Science Direct, an arm ergometer uses dynamic arm exercises but also the musculature of the chest, back, buttocks, and legs for body stablisation.
Sometimes called an “arm bike,” an arm ergometer is a machine designed to provide cardiovascular and strength training through upper body movement. It features a set of pedals or cranks that users rotate with their arms rather than their legs, making it a suitable option for individuals with mobility restrictions or those seeking upper body-focused workouts.
Arm ergometers are commonly found in gyms, rehabilitation centres, and home fitness setups, offering an accessible and adaptable form of exercise for people of all fitness levels.
What are some things health practitioners should know before selecting this type of exercise?
Let’s take a look at how an arm monitor works!
An ergometer machine is a mode of rhythmic exercise in which the arms spin an axle-and-crank system. Similar to a stationary bicycle, it is used for more high-intensity upper workouts.
A patient can stay in the chair while the ergometer is placed on a table, or the ergometer can be fixed to a wall or other vertical position. In any case, the height of the device must be adjustable to accommodate different heights and wheelchairs, especially for endurance-type exercise.
Operation: Users turn the cranks or pedals with their arms, engaging various upper body muscles and increasing heart rate for cardiovascular fitness.
Resistance: Some machines provide adjustable resistance levels to customise the intensity of their workouts. Resistance can be manual or motorised.
Monitoring: Many modern ergometers come equipped with displays that track metrics such as speed, distance, calories burned, and heart rate. Patients and practitioners can monitor progress.
An article by Mayo Clinic states that an arm ergometer provides an alternative to conventional stress testing, so it has quite a few health benefits.
Why is the ergometer considered a valuable alternative to the treadmill or leg cycle ergometer for exercise testing?
A patient can sit or stand while cranking the arm ergometer, and the workload is increased every two minutes. One exercise is high intensity, and one is lower intensity, and this depends on the sex, age, and activity level of the patient. Patients with paraplegia, for example, can have their blood pressure and heart rate evaluated so exercise capacity and symptoms can be quantified. Overall, an ergometer is excellent for:
Arm ergometers offer an effective cardio workout by elevating heart rate and improving blood circulation. The machine helps individuals unable to perform lower-body cardiovascular activities due to injury or disability.
Engages key upper body muscles, including the biceps, triceps, shoulders, and chest. Regular use promotes muscle endurance and toning.
Encourages joint flexibility and range of motion in the shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Helps individuals regain functional movement patterns, particularly after surgery or injury.
Widely used in physical therapy to support recovery from injuries or surgeries involving the upper body. Provides a low-impact exercise option, reducing strain on joints.
If you would like to learn more about health and rehabilitation supplies, read how to choose the right rehab exercise bike for your home gym!
What are the types of arm ergometers at Access Health?
Beginner: Start with 10-15 minutes of low-resistance pedalling, focusing on steady movement.
Intermediate: Incorporate interval training, alternating between high and low resistance for 20-30 minutes.
Advanced: Engage in high-intensity workouts or target specific muscle groups with customised resistance settings.
In any case, always ask your medical practitioner for recommended workouts specific to your health level and rehabilitation needs.
Arm ergometers aren’t only for those wanting to work out upper strength. Who can use an arm ergometer?
If you would like to prevent further injury and speed up recovery, Access Health is a major rehabilitation equipment supplier certified to the ISO 9001:2015 International Quality Standard.
Arm ergometers are an invaluable rehabilitation tool for individuals of all fitness levels and needs. Whether for general fitness, rehabilitation, or specialised training, their versatility and ease of use make them a practical choice for a wide range of applications.
Established in 1978, Access Health has grown into a major supplier of the Plinth 2000, Landice Treadmills, Monark, RepBand, and more.
Access Health prides itself on going that little bit extra to locate the product you need if we do not have it in stock. Contact us at 1300 659 540, email sales@accesshealth.com.au, submit an NDIS Order Form, or request a quote today.
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