Elliptical? Water aerobics?

[MNmom]

Hey, just if anyone out there exercises with an elliptical machine, and how long did you wait post op before hopping back on?
I am six weeks post op, and am anxious to get back to Golds Gym. I am currently involved with cardiac rehab 2-3 times per week, but am looking for some variety and loved the elliptical pre-op. My surgeon's NP told me to go ahead at this point and get back to the gym and just dont strain the sternum with odd twists or heavy lifting, but to go ahead and try classes and machines that I am comfortable with.
and with H20 aerobics- it says low impact for all fitness levels- but of course I probably couldnt wear my Polar heart rate monitor in the pool- so I suppose I just have to listen to my body???
Thanks-Ingrid

 

[Philip B]

Eliptical

Eliptical

Ingrid,

I used an eliptical several times during my cardiac rehab program. I waited until my chest felt pretty good before using the arm levers. If I remember correctly I was doing light arm stuff at five weeks.

Just listen to what your body tells you it can handle and stay within the ballpark of it's limits. It sounds like your cardio doc is telling you the same thing.

I can't help with the water exercise question. I don't think polar heart monitors are waterproof.

-Philip

 

[KatieD]

Ingrid,

The elliptical was my favorite exercise machine prior to my surgery. I was nervous about getting started again post-op so stuck to a treadmill for the first few weeks afterward. I started with my elliptical again at just under six weeks. I wore a heart monitor and took it easy, but boy was it great to get back with it again! I'm one year post-op on a mitral valve repair and my heart has "remodeled" itself back into shape. I have to think that the great work-out I get from my elliptical must have contributed to that.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Ingrid,

Has your Cardiologist given you an "upper limit" for your Heart Rate during exercise? Or the Rehab Nurses?

I would think that as long as you stay 'within your limits', that the Elliptical Machine or Water Aerobics would be fine. What do the Rehab Nurses say about your plans?

 

[AgilityDog]

Hey, the polar monitor IS waterproof, so long as you don't push the buttons under water. I've swum with mine, and used the hot tub. Go ahead, do your water aerobics.

 

[dtread]

I have a Polar (Edge model) that is at least 15 years old. The box says it is "water resistant for swimming". The instructions also say "Do not operate receiver buttons underwater as the pressure can cause the receiver to leak". Note that it says "water resistant" and not "water proof". So, you should be all right, but if you have ever taken the back cover off the receiver to replace the battery it may not have as good a seal as when it left the factory. If you're using a Polar transmitter unit that should be waterproof, its only the receiver that might be a concern. I've never used mine underwater and would be a little leary of doing so. But according to the Polar literature it should work underwater.

I really think it is a very wise idea to wear a heart rate monitor post-op. I wore mine all the time for several weeks post-op, then later on just while working out. I've seen a number of folks that posted that said that they wished that they had worn a heart rate monitor during their workouts before they had their surgery so that they would have had a baseline to compare with post-op.

You should be okay on the elliptical at six weeks. I was using elliptical at three to four weeks (real easy). But everyone's age, fitness level, and expertise is different both pre-op and post-op. As others have said you should take it easy and don't push it at this stage; you don't want any setbacks. Your main goal at this stage is recovery, and a lot of that is determined simply by natural healing; and time is a big factor in that equation. So take it easy at this stage and later on as the weeks and months pass you will be able to gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts to get back to pre-op fitness level.

Cardiac rehab is a great idea particularly in the early stages post-op. And cardiac rehab is particularly useful for anyone who is not that familiar with the inside of a gym, or who had bypass surgery, or just to gain the knowledge, expertise, and reassurance of the rehab facility.

I applaud your exercise and recovery goals and wish you well in achieving them!

 

[MNmom]

Ingrid,

Has your Cardiologist given you an "upper limit" for your Heart Rate during exercise? Or the Rehab Nurses?

I would think that as long as you stay 'within your limits', that the Elliptical Machine or Water Aerobics would be fine. What do the Rehab Nurses say about your plans?

Al, I was told to hang around 140 for a HR for now. The cardiac rehab nurses just told me to talk to my surgeon, which is where I got the go ahead, and I plan on letting the CR staff know that today when I go. Hopefully they can help put together a ideal plan for me when i begin exercising outside of their 4 walls.
I have been really anxious to get back to Golds for so many reasons, one being that my kids can come also to the Kids club there, so i dont need to find a babysitter for them during my hour session at Cardiac Rehab!

 

[ctyguy]

I started back at the gym at about 6 weeks. I was tentative with anything that involved my upper body, especially my chest. I started running some at 6 weeks and that seemed to go pretty well. I've worked my way up to 4 miles and tomorrow Im going to go for 5. I was doing elliptical at 6 weeks, no issues, just didn't use the hand poles all the time.

 

[ruth]

We had ellipticals at my cardiac rehab and the one thing about it that I noticed with myself and the others around me is that it would send your HR up farther and faster than a treadmill, bike or rowing machine. The nurses were always pulling me over for "speeding" (HR over 146 in my case with a good dose of BBs holding it down) and it only happened on the elliptical.

But, with a good HR monitor by your side (or should I say around your chest) you should be fine with it. I'd wait for the sternum to heal and work up real nice & easy to your 'usual' amount of time on it. Don't get too carried away just because you like that machine.

Peace,
Ruth