Arm Bicycle

Come and ride the bicycle—the arm bicycle that is.

Much like the bicycle you grew up with powered by legs, the arm bicycle spins by placing your hands on the pedals and pushing forward and downward. Fortunately, the pedals are located high on the bike in a comfortable position. It’s a great upper body aerobic work and exercise for the arms.

But, who needs to exercise their arms? As it turns out, quite a few people do.

Petra Timmermans, head of the Rehabilitation Department at Boundary Community Hospital, says that all shoulder patients, all neck patients, all cardiac patients and about 50% of patients with neurological disorders such as Parkinsons and stroke benefit from the arm bike. It provides an upper extremity work-out as well as strengthens and helps increase the range of motion of the arms.
Idaho Community Foundation and the Kissler Family Foundation Philanthropic Gift Fund provided funds in the amount of $1,090.00 for the purchase of a new arm bicycle for Boundary Community Hospital.

The new arm bike gives feedback of measurable data: it displays time, pedal revolutions per minute, calories, distance and the patients’ pulse.

The bike is a boon for wheelchair patients. It is adjustable in height allowing for the proper fitting of wheelchairs in the riding space.
No wonder it is a popular piece of equipment in the rehabilitation department. Physical therapy and occupational therapy both use it. The arm bike, along with the treadmill, the stationary bike, and the Nu-Step, makes the top-four list of the hospital’s pieces of most used equipment.