By Emily Wood
January 30, 2009
ASHLAND, Ore. -- A bike invented in Southern Oregon is helping those looking for a low impact form of exercise.
The Glide Cycle has features similar to a bike. It has handlebars, brakes, and wheels, but is missing pedals, chains and gears. That's because your legs are the pedals.
Glide cyclers say its like walking on the moon and has virtually no impact on joints. Amputees and people with prosthetics say it really helps improve posture and confidence.
"It not only can give you balance back but it can give you that sense of being again in the community that you're not in a wheelchair," says Rider Holly Rush.
David Vidmar of Ashland, an avid runner, invented the Glide Cycle. Vidmar was forced to stop running when it began to take a toll on his knees.
The Glide Cycle's patent is still pending.
Comments
"virtually no impact"
This seems to be CAS (Classic Ashland Stupid)! A regular bike for sure gives less impact to the rider than this Glide Cycle. Not only is there less impact on the feet, but using gears on most bikes permits less strain than from this monster, e.g., up and down hills!
Now, this Glide Cycle for sure may be quite useful to a much smaller population -- handicapped people as illustrated in the video. Just don't get carried away with false advertising.
I have run or 'glidecycled'
I have run or 'glidecycled' over 1800 miles on this low impact training innovation. I have been told by my doctor not to run because of bad knees. In fact, I cannot run without pain and swelling in my knees. With the glidecycle, however, I feel like I not only run, but run like a twenty year old athlete! I regularly run from Ashland to Medford and back in just over two hours; run 5.5 minute miles on the track, and I don't feel any pain in my knees. I even trained 10 milers with a mild ankle injury. I love bicycle training, but note that it is different because I do not run but sit and cycle. Bicycle training concentrates on quads, hip flexors, and calves. GlideCycling trains hamstrings, gluts, and core muscles. It is really cool to have both to cross train and, frankly, not be limited in my training options by "CAS disease." GlideCycles are fun!
It only takes one experience
It only takes one experience on the GlideCycle to realize how effective it is as a low-impact exercise and mobility device. I have spent many hours training on the GlideCycle myself and with a variety of other GlideCyclists who agree about the effective aerobic and low-impact benefits, and interestingly, none of these wonderful individuals demonstrate "CAS disease". Being an avid cyclist myself, I have come to appreciate many of the benefits offered by the GlideCycle. During cycling, muscles in the legs are trained in a very limited range of motion, emphasizing certain muscles over others. Some muscles adaptively shorten and get very tight while others weaken in certain ranges, thus leading to weakened back and hip extensor ability. The GlideCycle compliments cycling nicely emphasizing muscle groups that cycling does not, and working in larger ranges of motion with upright posture, which more closely simulates walking and normal functional activities than cycling. Also, there are exercisers who have injuries or sensitive tissues who cannot tolerate forces under the kneecap or stress to muscles, tendons and other soft tissues around the knee that cycling can produce. Such forces with the GlideCycle are greatly reduced. The GlideCycle allows folks to exercise who may not be able to cycle due to balance issues, or limited hip, knee or ankle range of motion. Glidecyclists may also perform differential training which allows a user to reduce use of one leg or train with only one leg to accommodate injuries or disabilities. And might I mention how enjoyable hill climbing can be on the GlideCycle. In fact, I have climbed hills side by side with an amputee using only one leg. GlideCycle benefits have been enjoyed by a wide range of people including athletes training through injuries or using the GlideCycle for performance enhancement, those such as baby boomers looking for fun and effective exercise without joint or soft tissue soreness, or those with physical disabilities seeking freedom and independence in exercise and recreational mobility. We are so fortunate to have the GlideCycle available as an exercise option.
Exercising with the Glide Cycle
To keep us healthy and active we have to take exercise regularly. I think the best type of exercise is walk means to go for a walk in the morning and get rid from many dangerous and harmful diseases.
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Seems a good way for
Seems a good way for exercising, looking forward to read more about it.
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