An arm ergometer is a piece of exercise equipment that provides cardiovascular fitness and endurance building for people with limited mobility. They come in various sizes and features, with customizable resistances, and can be used for upper body and leg workouts. Prices range from cheap to expensive, and designs include adjustable supports and electronic displays. Arm ergometers can be used in medical, physical therapy, gym, and residential settings.
An arm ergometer, or upper body ergometer, is a piece of exercise equipment that resembles a stationary bike for the arms. Primarily designed for cardiovascular fitness, it elevates the heart rate and increases the body’s metabolic capacity by building endurance. These devices are often used by people who require low-impact exercises, or those with limited range of motion or mobility. They range widely in size and features, offer manual or miscellaneous electronic feedback, and can come as tabletop, wall-mounted, freestanding, or full-size units with their own built-in seats.
Different grades of arm ergometer equipment will provide users with an appropriate range of customizable resistances, which can be reproduced mechanically or electronically. Typically found in medical and physical therapy settings, this equipment also offers use in gyms and residences: for example, for wheelchair users. Most of these devices place handles in front of the user, and are connected to a gear system similar to that of a bicycle.
The user then operates the device in a pedaling motion for aerobic exercise, rather than heavy loads of strength resistance training. This device uses dynamic force to develop shoulder and elbow extensions and flexions. It also develops protraction and retraction movements of the scapula and clavicle.
Some products can also be used on the legs. They can offer adjustments for seated or standing operation. Also, some can provide wheelchair access. Different products offer degrees of adjustability, portability, and usability.
With such a variety in arm ergometer equipment available, prices can range from cheap for basic no-frills models to very expensive for high-end medical equipment. Your first consideration should be whether you need this equipment for personal use or if you intend to use it in a professional setting that requires careful client therapeutic evaluations and program development. The ease of transport and mobility of the unit may factor into your choice, whether to stay in one area or need to move it. Freestanding equipment is sometimes mounted on a wheeled frame to be cast into position, offering a solid compromise between smaller tabletop devices and large, seated stationary devices.
Differences in arm ergometer designs include the adjustability of the support, which must accommodate the range of motion capabilities of the user. The devices may offer self-regulating braking systems to assist in therapeutic activities, minimizing potentially damaging loads on limbs with limited mobility or injury. Electronic displays can present a continuous reading of a user’s heart rate or calories expended, allowing user-specific data such as age and weight to be entered for other fitness calculations. Some users prefer to calculate these values on their own and not rely on cold statistics from a machine. Others might benefit from the convenience of this information at a glance.
Using an arm ergometer in an exercise regimen or therapeutic program can offer a useful alternative to upper body cardiovascular workouts. These devices can help people with limited ranges and also contribute to the general health of people without physical disabilities. Whether you choose a small portable arm ergometer, a tabletop or free-standing unit, or stationary floor equipment, all of these devices can generally allow for the resistance variations and resistance durations necessary to achieve the correct training effect.
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