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Rebounder/Weighted Vest/Elliptical-NEWLY DIAGNOSED

Suz4az
  • By Suz4az
  • Posted October 2, 2009 at 3:25 pm · 22 replies
  • In Exercise
  • Shared with the public
  • Edited October 2, 2009 at 3:32 pm
0 Recommendations

Hi everyone,

I am not quite 44 yet, but diagnosed with Osteoporosis recently and I want to start NOW doing what I need to. I am not going to take RECLAST or FOSAMAX yet. I am going to try a more natural approach, as I am also in Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease.

My Questions are: Does anyone know what type of Weighted Vest, Rebounder, and Elliptical is Best? ALSO: has to be on the lower end $$. Does anyone know what brand? Are there Discounts? Does Insurance Ever cover these?

I have been reading so much and now I'm Dizzy. My Nephrologist, Gynecologist, and PCP all just say "Get exercise, Eat Healthy, Take Calcium (Carbonate) Supplements, and take Meds". I am already eating Very Healthy, and started newer Supplements (Calcium Citrate), and Need to start exercise regimen.

Thank you Very Much,
Suz

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Falls Osteoporosis Fosamax Reclast

22 replies

lilrayosun

The cheapest weight vest I've found is about $50.00. I don't know if insurance will reimburse -- would your doctor write a "prescription" for one? Maybe then?

Whatever vest you get, make sure it has a good fit and doesn't slosh around too much while you're wearing it. And you should be able to distribute the weight evenly in the front and in the back. How's your posture? If you have kyphosis (rounding of the back), a weight vest might put too much pressure on your spine. You might want to run this idea past your doctor first.

I don't know much about the rebounders or elliptical machines. I do wonder if the elliptical is the best way to go because your body will be losing the benefit it would get from (for lack of a better term) impact with the ground. With an elliptical, you're sort of "floating," which is terrific if you're someone who needs a cardio workout and has bad joints, but it's not as effective at building bone.

In terms of discounts, I always surf Craigslist. Many people make those New Year's resolutions to get in shape, and by summer they're ready to chuck the whole thing. I was able to get a fairly good treadmill for about $50 on Craigslist, and a set of dumbbells with a rack for 1/4 of the full price.

Maybe you could find a weight vest too. I know I've seen rebounders on there.

Good luck!

Suz4az

Thank you Very much for your help. I will definitely look into Craigslist as well. What weight Vest did you get if you don't mind answering?

Thanks,
Suz

sdivas

Suz, please check the discussion post I bumped up on weighted vests. Please note Sara Meeks and MotherGoose (Lucy) posts. Both are physical therapists.

SantaFe

Suz,
I purchased a really nice weighted vest for $19 at Big 5 Sporting Goods. It is made by Danskin, "Women's Aerobic Walking Vest" It fits really well and snug with weights all around front and back. The only down side is it only has 10 lbs of weight packets---each packet is about a half lb. and you can easily take them out. I can't carry too much weight on my back, so it was perfect to start with.
Good luck, Santa Fe

Suz4az

Thank You Sdivas and SantaFe! I appreciate this info very much. I have gotten more info about the vests here than anywhere. Now, just looking at Balance Balls with Stretching Band for Balance to Prevent Falls, and Elliptical for overall health and muscle building.

Take Care,
Suz

virginni

I have found the walkvest to be best as the weights go around your core and do not hurt your back, etc. found at walkvest.com or for half the price at amazon and ebay. D. Rocker the originator of walkvest has a book out on exercising with osteoporosis and available on amazon for under $1

Suz4az

Thank You! What a great Tip.. I will most definitely go there. This helps very much, as I need to know WHAT has worked for others. There is a Vest that I was looking at, but it is almost $150.. This seems so high, especially when $$ are a little tight. Obviously Quality is important for my health too, but you get the idea...

April995

Hi Virginni,
I looked all over Amazon.com for that book, but I could not find it any were?
Could it be under a different name etc.?

Thank you,
April

virginni

the book is "training for life" by debbie rocker

lilrayosun

Hey, Suz:

My vest is made by vMax Force (what a ridiculous name), but I can't say I'd recommend it at all. You have to lift it over your head to put it on, and when it's fully loaded with weights, this could be problematic for people with shoulder impingement issues or rotator cuff tears.

It'd also be hard on someone with a bad back, because if you're not strong enough, you sort of end up hyperextending your back to hoist it up (and rotating and flexing and and and), and you could really hurt yourself. After you've exercised, if you're fatigued, it's even harder to take off. Yi yi yi.

I wished I'd gotten a vest that really is a vest. You know, you slip your arms in and it buckles in the front.

Hooray for the balance balls (or discs or platforms). That really is a great decision, as preventing falls is more than half the battle.

Remember with the vest, start with very little weight (maybe 2-4 pounds tops) and gradually work your way up to heavier weight.

April995

Thanks Virginni,
I just took a look at her book. It looks good, but from so much walking lately, the top of my foot is NUMB!
I have great circulation. Go figure.
I have an appointment with the Acupunture Dr. Thursday.
I also have a heel spur, so walking for awhile puts me out of commission, unfortunately!

Lilrayosun,
What is the platforms & Disc?

Thank you,
April

lilrayosun

The disks are wobbly/squishy and look like this:
http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3372258&cp=30775 68.3077640.2812889.1426176&parentPage=family

The balance boards or wobble boards are rigid on top, either wood or a hard plastic, with an rounded surface on the bottom, like this:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sportsmith.net/images/Hi- Res%255CP25018.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sportsmith.net/ItemForm.aspx%3Fitem %3DP25018&usg=__0c0JdtLE1L6oXOX_Ufjsp7sZXus=&h=516&w=600&sz=122&hl=en&start =19&um=1&tbnid=09NPC_V5JBpMuM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dreebok% 2Bbalance%2Bboard%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3 DN%26start%3D18%26um%3D1

The squishier ones are easier to master. The rigid boards are definitely trickier/more frustrating. I'd only get one of those if you already have pretty good balance.

I wish there were a way I could just post a photo in here. Let me know if the thinks don't work.

April995

Hi Lilrayosun,
Thank you so much for that info, and yes the pictures come up fine.
I have not seen those before!

May I ask you, which one you have ?
I went into Amazon.com. Read the reviews, and seemed to like the, "Go Fit core disk", but still not sure!
Its the soft one, on one side, nubbies on there other.
This one also comes with a DVD.

How do you use your Disk ?
I notice my balance is not as good as it use to be, and its scary to me!

I have gone to Yoga classes for years, and when I found out I had Osteo, I never went back. I also compressed a disc then , and pretty much became a couch potato, or I should say, a computer Potato for the last 1 1/2 yrs..I do a bit of gardening, and have to keep my house clean lol....

Since I have a heel spur and numbness on the top of my right foot, from walking so much. I also hit my little toe on the wall (was in a hurry) then two weeks later hit it again on the couch. This caused a Bursa on that toe!!! I figured I need to do some type of exercise for my heart.
I just bought from Craigs list, a Nordic Track Recumbent exercise cycle bike.(its almost 3 yrs old)
I realize this is not going to help my bones, but at least it should do me some cardiac work out, and keep my legs firm!!

I'm going to buy one of the ball discs.

Thank you Again,
April

April995

I got my Recumbent NorticTrack bike, and I hate it!
I don't think its doing me any good, as after riding it, the right side of my back is hurting so bad, and also the right side behind my knee!
I have never had anytype of knee problems before.

I use to be almost 5'3, now I'm 5'1, and can't look over this type of recumbent bike. Its just too big for me, even after putting the seat up farther..
There is book holder on this, but I'm too short to read a book on this lol..

Anyone ever use this type of machine with any luck?
I'm putting this back up for sale..

Take Care,
April

lilrayosun

Oh, April! Sorry to hear about the recumbent bike. Those hurt my back, too. Well, maybe you can sell it to someone else from Craigslist, huh?

I have a disk very much like the go fit. I use it to do standing poses and sometimes I put one foot on the disk, and the other foot on terra firma and do plies or squats. You can also just sit on them. They work sort of like the balance balls because they are not "steady" your tiny core muscles will be "firing" to keep you in place/your posture upright.

If you're going to stand on it, since you say your balance isn't so good, have a chair back nearby to rest a hand on, or place the disk very close to a wall so that if you start to fall, you've got the wall to lean against/catch yourself. Maybe the chair and the wall as a "double insurance policy."

The disk will come with an exercise video, so you can look at that for ideas. Just don't do any of the crunches or anything with spinal flexion that they might suggest. (And forgive any typos. I can't find my glasses.)

Best,
Raye

April995

Hi Lilray,

Thanks for Your suggestion.

My balance has always been great, then with the Osteo, I have been scared to do much. I stopped Yoga and all.. Also I had a accident a few years ago, that loosened the Gel behind my eyes. Now I'm not suppose to bend down, and not do yoga, as its too much pressure on my eyes, and I start to get those sparkler thingies in my eyes again!!

I do not twist at the waist anymore, or bend stright down, except to clean my baseboards lol.
About 1 1/2 yrs ago, I put a plate into my new deep dishwasher, and when I twisted at my waist, I compressed a disc. Although the Dr. said It was ready to go, even If I had a piece of paper in my hand.
I thought I was fine till then!!
I'm telling you, getter older is not as much fun as I was expecting lol..

I'm going to order the disc from Amazon.
Thank you so much for talking about the disc. I never heard about it before.

Your typing is fine. I'm dyslexic, so I hope I make sense when I write, and I can't speeell hahaa.

Have a great week-end Everyone,
April
P.S. don't mean to complain.

beachkat

HI SUZY , IF I HAD TO SAY WHICH WEIGHT VEST IS THE BEST TO STRENGTHEN BONES BUILD UP DENSITY AND FOR COMFORT AND STYLE... I WOULD SAY THE NYKNYC ONE. IT IS VERY WELL MADE , AND MORE IMPORTANT IT LOOKS LIKE A BEAUTIFUL VEST UNLIKE THE OTHER VESTS WHICH ARE FLIMSEY AND CHEAP PLUS THEY LOOK HORRIBLE OR MANISH.
THE NYKNYC VEST IS MADE FOR A WOMANS BODY
ITS NOT UNISEX -PLUS THEY EVEN HAVE DIFFERENT STYLES RANGING FROM A TANK TOP STYLE FOR VERY ATHLETIC WOMEN TO A MORE CLASSIC CUT - THAT ONE LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE POWER VEST AND THEY BOTH REALLY HELP STRENGTHEN YOUR BONES.
THIS VEST WAS ALSO RECOMMENDED BY SEVERAL DOCTORS WHO WROTE IT UP IN PREVENTION MAGAZINE SEE THEIR WEB SITE THEY ARE FANTASTIC
AND REALLY GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO HELP CUSTOMERS THEY EVEN DO TAILORING!
WWW.NYKNYC.COM

beachkat

OH MY GOODNESS DID SOMEONE SAY TO GET THE WALKVEST?? DON'T DO IT ! I MADE THE MISTAKE OF BUYING THE DEBBIE ROCK VEST AND I CAN SAY FOR SURE - THAT VEST STINKS!!
I PURCHASED ONE, IT WAS SO THIN AND CHEAPLY MADE THAT IT FELL APART THE SAME DAY I BOUGHT IT !!!! IT IS REALLY GARBAGE ! I WAS VERY ANGRY AND IT WAS A LONG WAIT BEFORE I HAD MY MONEY RETURNED . THE DEB ROCKER WALK VEST IS THE WORST.
AND MY BEST FRIEND WHO ALSO HAD PURCHASED A DEBBIE ROCKER WALKVEST ONLY TO HAVE THE BUTTONS FALL OFF IAFTER LESS THAN ONE WEEK!!! WE BOTH HAD TO SEND THEM BACK .
DEBIE ROCKER WALK VEST HAS A BIG NAME BUT THE PRODUCT DOES NOT DELIVER IT IS THE CHEAPEST JUNK ON THE MARKET AND BOTH ME AND MY FRIEND WAITED 3 MONTHS TO GET THOSE DEBBIE ROCKER VESTS!
TRY THE NYKNYC ONE IT WAS VOTED NUMBER ONE BY PREVENTION MAGAZINE FOR STRENGTHENING BONES AND FOR FITTING VERY WELL . THE NYKNYC WEIGHTED VEST IS MADE FOR A WOMANS BODY AND THE SERVICE IS GREAT IT IS WWW.NYKNYC.COM
THEIR VESTS WEAR LIKE IRON AND LOOK REALLY CUTE VERY FEMININE. SO SLEEK YOU CAN EVEN WEAR THEM UNDER YOUR JACKET ETC.
PLUS IF THE VEST EVER BREAKS OR TEARS .. THEY SEND YOU A NEW ONE FOR FREE!!!

Suz4az

Oh My Goodness!! I am so glad I am paying attention here. beachkat, how much are these vests you speak of? I cannot find a price?

I was also looking at this one by Pamela Free---http://weightvest4osteoporosis.com/

boomerbodycoach

I am anxiously awaiting MY weighted vest from NYKNYC! I ordered it Friday and it should be here in a few days (darn these holiday weekends! :) their styling is so nice and I am thrilled that the reports on quality are so great. I ordered the more fitted version and will order another one if they come out with one with a Collar. I wear a vest all winter, for warmth, and it will be nice to have one that does double duty! the people at NYKNYC are so nice, I don't think I could do better. be sure to look at it before you look at the one from weightvest4osteoporosis.com. I am not going to criticize their vest but for me, I want something more fashionable as well as one that helps me. Just MY opinion, and I am no expert. I have not been able to locate the posts by Sara Meeks.
I did drag out an old weighted belt that I bought some time ago and never wore. wow...it is only 5 pounds and it feels HEAVY. Now, when I think of "losing" 5 pounds, I have a better appreciation of how the weight feels on the body! eeek. and to to think I LOST 20 pounds a few years ago. No wonder I was so tired! luggging all that fat around...geesh. even putting on this 5 pound weight, I notice a difference. Body awareness is good!

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