Giving My MS a Workout in the Gym

I rode a recumbent bike for 15 minutes today. That’s a record for me, and it felt great. The bike ride was part of an overall workout routine that I’ve set up for myself at the gym.

The workout mirrors what I was doing about 15 years ago, when I was still working full-time. That routine was set up with the help of a personal trainer, and it includes upper-body work using a universal machine and some free weights.

But back then, after exercising twice a week for about a year, I lost easy access to workout equipment and I had to give it up. Swimming some laps in July and August was pretty much all that I’d been doing up until last January. Then, the combination of “snowbirding” in Florida and a well-equipped exercise facility got me going again.

Not only do I feel better physically, I have less fatigue, I feel sharper overall, and my mood is better (as my wife can confirm). Doctors say this isn’t surprising, and dozens of studies listed on the ActiveMSers website support this assessment. (ActiveMSers, incidentally, is an excellent resource for information about staying in motion).

There’s a workout for almost everyone with MS.

Some people with MS have much greater ability than me and can do a lot more. I’ve written about marathoner Cheryl Hile before. Her workout is running. Wearing a brace on her right leg, Cheryl has run marathons on every continent.

There’s also April Hester. With her husband, April hikes hundreds of miles over rugged mountain trails camping out on trips that cover days and weeks.

Other people with MS have a harder time getting around, but that doesn’t stop them. Jamie, who writes the Multiple Experiences blog, has much more difficulty walking than I do. She has worked with a personal trainer who came to her home, but Jamie’s real thing is swimming. She’s in the pool a lot.

The Multiple Sclerosis Trust, in the U.K., has a really useful webpage loaded with information about exercises that are designed for MS. Many of them can be done sitting. YouTube also has a ton of workout videos.

Some of my MS exercise hints:

• Stay cool. Whether you crank up the air conditioning or wear a cooling scarf or vest, do what you need to do to keep your body temperature from increasing too much. Warming up can really slow you down.
• Stay hydrated. For me, water equals energy; it helps me feel sharp. Too many people with MS stay away from water due to bladder issues, but exercise can dehydrate you quickly. In a gym or an exercise room, a restroom is always nearby, if you need one.
• Stretch before you exercise. Stretch after you exercise.
• Listening to music or an interesting podcast can reduce boredom and help the time pass. I like to use a full, wireless headset synced to my iPhone. The full headset avoids the problem of those little iPhone-type plugs falling out of my ears, and there is no cord to get in the way. It also blocks out distracting background noise and really allows me to enjoy what I’m hearing, which makes the exercise more enjoyable.

Of course, you should check with your doctor before starting any kind of a workout. After you get the OK, all you probably need to get going is a little motivation. I hope this column has provided some of that.

Please share any workout/exercise hints you have and let us all know if you’ve started your own exercise routine.

(Featured image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay)

(A version of this post first appeared as my column on the MS News Today website).