How to Start an Arm-Cycling Exercise Program

Reading the article about the pilot study for new exercise treatment for PAD may inspire you to start an arm-cycling exercise program right away. Exercise has been proven to have overall benefits on vascular health, and we encourage you to begin an exercise program. For your health and safety, we ask that you follow these guidelines:

1. Consult your health care provider to make sure you are healthy enough to begin regular exercise.
2. A stress test might be necessary to evaluate your heart to determine if it is safe to do aerobic arm exercise.
3. Get your resting blood pressure checked as a "starting point" so you can compare results later.
4. Ask someone at your local gym or recreation center to assist you in getting started and to adjust the settings for your body type on an armcycling machine, starting with lighter resistance.
5. Start by cycling for two minutes and then rest for two minutes and repeat for up to 60 minutes.
6. After a few weeks, as your endurance builds, increase to cycles of three minutes of exercise and one minute of rest.
7. After a few more weeks, increase to four minutes of exercise and one minute of rest.
8. As time progresses, work up to five minutes of exercise and one minute of rest for 60 minutes.
9. Continue the exercise for at least 12 weeks or longer if desired.
10. Increase the resistance on the machine a little at a time, but be careful not to make it too hard.
11. At the end of 12 weeks, check your resting blood pressure to see if it has changed.

• Get clearance from your health care provider to exercise.
• Start with low resistance and work your way up.
• Watch for pain in your shoulders and/or joints and decrease or stop the exercise if it becomes painful.