General Cycling Discussion - 450 Pounder - looking for a way to health.

I have a valued 30 year old co-worker who is quite overweight. My guess is he is at least 450lbs. He has seen how much I love cycling, its health benefits, and how you can start slowly and work your way into cardiovascular fitness and weight loss.

He is seriously looking for wasy to turn his health around. Currently he gets winded walking 50-100 ft. He has the money to spend on a bike and he is interested in getting a recumbent trike. Could those of you that have some familiarity with a similar situation offer some of your wisdom?

Thank you, and please be kind, as I plan to share this thread with him once it gathers some replys.

I don't think I would recommend a bike right away. Based on his current level of fitness I don't think he would enjoy it very much.

Before beginning any exercise plan, he should be seen by a physician.

I would start with walking. A short walk in the morning or the evening is an enjoyable way to begin the process of becoming more fit. He can walk as much or as little as is comfortable and gradually increase the amount of time spent walking over a few weeks or months. This approach allows him to begin with little equipment or expense and build on success. It also helps build the habit of exercising. After a few months of these regular walks he should feel much more fit and much differently about exercise in general.

If he is still enthusiastic about fitness after a few months of walking, then he should look at cycling.

Dan

I have a valued 30 year old co-worker who is quite overweight. My guess is he is at least 450lbs. He has seen how much I love cycling, its health benefits, and how you can start slowly and work your way into cardiovascular fitness and weight loss.

At 450 pounds, your friend is morbidly obese. I would really recommend your friend be under medical guidance in any weight loss/exercise activity. Also, he might consider a qualified (certified) trainer interested in working with weight loss programs. Also, several organizations offer guided weight loss programs along with exercise.

At his weight, he is under serious potential to have a major health event, such as heart attack or stroke, particularly with a rapid attempt to increase his exercise.

His weight gain is more than just overeating and lack of exercise. Somewhere there is a psychological component to what he is doing. This needs to be considered in his weight loss program.


He is seriously looking for wasy to turn his health around. Currently he gets winded walking 50-100 ft. He has the money to spend on a bike and he is interested in getting a recumbent trike. Could those of you that have some familiarity with a similar situation offer some of your wisdom?

Thank you, and please be kind, as I plan to share this thread with him once it gathers some replys.

I would think that the first step might be to get the walking up, slowly, increase about 25-50 feet per day. I do not think he is ready for a bike/trike yet. He should be able to (under medical guidance and approval) get up to about 2 miles of walking.

All of this will be with less value if the eating habits are not changed, which is the reason for some type of medically approved weight reduction/eating habits program. Consider Weight Watchers.

I wish him the very best in his weight loss program. Many, many folks have successfully reduced their weight. It took him many years to get to 450 pounds. It will also take many years to get it off. Measure progress in little tiny steps, set weekly (or daily) goals - don't worry about the long-term goals. If the daily goals are met, the long-term goals will take care of themselves.

Those are my thoughts.

I will be EXTREMELY curious as to what others tell this gentleman.

I don't think I could've started on my road to fitness on a bicycle. It became a natural transition as I LOVE riding but I started out on Windsor Pilates, and dropped some weight and gained fitness through those, and THEN started cycling. I would recommend that route to anyone.

http://www.winsorpilates.com/

I second the suggestion that he see a doctor/nutritionist and get food intake under control. A major portion of my weight loss comes from cutting my caloric intake to under 2000 calories/day. I am a compulsive over-eater, and that is HARD to control, so a support group is needed for some people. For that, Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig wouldn't be a bad idea. IF his problem is overeating.

DO NOT GIVE UP. I am not giving up, even though I get discouraged. IT CAN BE DONE and you don't have to get your stomach stapled to do it (I can't stand the guy, but look at what Richard Simmons has accomplished, besides being a total flamer)

FWIW, I started at 340lbs and am down to 310lb after about 4 months. It didn't come easy, and it'll never stay off unless I work my butt off.

Tell him to start slowly and keep at it. I agree with not cycling and going the walking route, slowly building it up. He should take his time and not try to lose weight right away, letting his body slowly adjust to the new activity.

He is in a unique position - He can DOUBLE his life expectancy by walking and eventually riding a bike! Between that and a new found confidence, he could be giving all of us a run for our money in 5-10 years :)

My husband was not quite as big as your friend, he was close to 300 pounds, and lost 100 pounds and after several years still weighs less than 200 pounds. We started by working with a nutritionist so we could work together to prepare a new menu and daily walks, which started out as a mile or 2 and have since increased in mileage and speed. We also have a home gym with lots of different machines (all gym quality - as most home machines won't support that weight) and weights. We then expanded our outdoor activities to include longer walks, and took up hiking & biking. Your friend needs professional consultation for both his diet & exercise as he is at great risk for health problems. Swimming might be another option as it puts less stress on the joints than walking. He could also try a stationary recumbent bike at home if he wanted to start out his exercise program in the privacy of his own home. Weight control is a never ending process. It's not something you can start, reach a goal weight, and then go back to your old habits. The new habits need to be there to stay. The result will not only be weight loss, but improved health too. He'll see dramatic changes in his life, energy level, etc. from making these efforts. It's worth the effort! Good luck to him.

Absolutely, someone who is that obese can't just jump on a bike or start running. He'll be best off starting a programme in a gym whereyou use a treadmill, and have to wear an HRM. ALso a doctor should supervise his progress. Weight training will also help tone his muscles and burn fat more efficiently. THen an exercycle or trainer at the gym will be a good start, and then, once he's reached the fitness and weight where it's possible, a bike would be great. we all hear those stories from guys who say that when they started cycling, they were so fat they couldn't get into the drops, now they do races. It can happen. Unfortunately, too many americans are lazy- they want the quick fix, the quick solution, and don't want to do the exercise or make the effort. It has to be a commitment.

I have a valued 30 year old co-worker who is quite overweight. My guess is he is at least 450lbs. He has seen how much I love cycling, its health benefits, and how you can start slowly and work your way into cardiovascular fitness and weight loss.

He is seriously looking for wasy to turn his health around. Currently he gets winded walking 50-100 ft. He has the money to spend on a bike and he is interested in getting a recumbent trike. Could those of you that have some familiarity with a similar situation offer some of your wisdom?

Thank you, and please be kind, as I plan to share this thread with him once it gathers some replys.

Forget the bicycle. I've only been able to lose weight with an exercise bicycle. Get him to buy an exercise bicycle in recumbent style. Any exercise program should start with a visit to a doctor.

I agree with the above comments, but have a question.
I'm not trying to be mean, but I think it's also fair to ask how many bikes can tolerate that sort of weight.

I have a valued 30 year old co-worker who is quite overweight. My guess is he is at least 450lbs. He has seen how much I love cycling, its health benefits, and how you can start slowly and work your way into cardiovascular fitness and weight loss.

He is seriously looking for wasy to turn his health around. Currently he gets winded walking 50-100 ft. He has the money to spend on a bike and he is interested in getting a recumbent trike. Could those of you that have some familiarity with a similar situation offer some of your wisdom?

Thank you, and please be kind, as I plan to share this thread with him once it gathers some replys.

I somewhat agree with the others. Your friend doesn't sound like he is ready to get on a bike but I wouldn't say competely to rule it out. First of all, it should be very easy for you to tell by looking at him if it is even an option. Being an avid cyclist, you should know if he even has a chance to get on the bike based on your knowledge and what you observe.

Maybe the interest he has in the bike is what it will take for him to lose some weight. Likely he isn't interested in exercise or he wouldn't likely be in his current situation. Maybe it is the lure of the bike and the idea of riding it that is appealing to him. That may be the only way he has a chance so don't rule out the bike unless you don't think he can do it. Nobody on this forum can see him so you will have to make the call.

Good Luck! I hope he gets on the bike and rides and rides and rides. That would be awesome.

I was at 290 last oct, and decided I was sick of being fat.
First, I choose a diet that I could stick to. I looked at weight watchers, low fat, low carb, South beach, etc... Wound up on Atkins. I'm convinced all the diets work, but not for everyone. The key is to pick one, read the book (if applicable) and stick to it like glue.

Second, I hit the gym. Started with 5min on an exercycle, and some free weights. Cardio and resistance are both important. When the weather started warming up I puchased my bike, and hit the trails at least once a week. Still on Atkins.

Where am I now? Down 75 pounds. Doing 25 - 30 miles at a time on by bike. It can be done.

--nw

I agree with the above comments, but have a question.
I'm not trying to be mean, but I think it's also fair to ask how many bikes can tolerate that sort of weight.

There is only one make that I know is designed to support
VERY LARGE amounts of weight and that is .......Worksman.

Worksman's main business is industrial bikes and they are
built to carry more than you can pedal!! I used one for 30+
years in a factory and have seen them carry unbeliveablely
heavy loads.

A dietician (which I'm sure will come via a referral from the cardiologist) would be the first step.

One of my current clients is 6'5" and weighs 550 lbs (down to 490 since March) and the dietician and a strong will to change helped for him.

Other than that, he should walk until he is read to ride a bike...health wise, that is.

I was watching a TV program about that Hawain sumo wrestler the other day. He weighed 660lbs and was trying to loose weight. He was finding it very difficult. He lost 66lbs in 4 months. Of course, he was used to fighting men near his own weight for a living so he does have a sort of fitness, which I'm sure your friend doesn't have. I think he has to realise very clearly that it's going to take years for him to get down to a normal weight, but at the same time, there is probably 50% of his current mass which is un-needed. the major problem might be skin elasticity. Give him my best and please tell him not to give up but think of this as a 5 year program to regain his life.
Cheers

I agree with Ranger: why tell someone who's intrigued by cycling that no, they ought to walk, or swim, or go to the gym instead? You have to like a type of exercise to keep doing it. We all know it feels great gliding along the road, out in the fresh air, going faster than you can walk! If all we wanted was the exercise we'd all be on exercyles. He oughta get ahold of a sturdy bike and try it, even if he goes very slowly at first. The Commuter forum had a great thread recently on bikes for people over 300lbs, including a description of a bike built for a 450lb person. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=54697
Of course diet, etc. is a big component of weight loss, but you have to take the first step--why shouldn't it be onto a pedal?

I cannot make an informed suggestion but applaude your friend for setting a goal to lose the weight.

Walking combined with low impact cycling will definityel;y be a good place to start IMO

We started by working with a nutritionist so we could work together to prepare a new menu and daily walks, which started out as a mile or 2 and have since increased in mileage and speed...We also have a home gym with lots of different machines ...Your friend needs professional consultation for both his diet & exercise as he is at great risk for health problems...He could also try a stationary recumbent bike at home if he wanted to start out his exercise program in the privacy of his own home....


Doctor, Nutritionist, walking, and a stationary recumbent are great places to start. Schwinn sells a very high quality stationary recumbent exercycle for ~$500.00, what one would pay for a quality entry level bicycle.

Well, no human being is really structurally made to weigh anywhere near 450 lbs.

Also your friend is not only way overweight, he is way out of shape.

I think before he starts any exercise program, he needs a thorough health exam so he doesn't keel over from a heart attack from a sudden strain that his body isn't ready for.

Now cycling is an excellent form of exercise for most overweight people because it is a weight bearing exercise. That allows an overweight person to exercise without suspending their weight. Their muscles are not being taxed by suspending that large mass.

I think the traditional diamond frame bike might be too taxing at your friend's weight. He needs to drop about 100 lbs before he gets into that I would think. Mind you, I am speaking with absolutely no knowledge of the hyperobese.

But I would think that the stationary recumbant bike would be a very good starting point for exercise. Either that or swimming.

The thing is that it takes a will.

I have a friend who is a tax accountant. He earns his living by working about 4 months out of the year doing tax returns. He has modest wants and needs and makes plenty to keep him happy. Well he was sitting round the house and watching TV and it got so he got winded getting up to get a snack out of the 'fridge. He weighed well over 300 lbs. He went out and got a bike and started riding on the local trails. He rode farther and farther and farther on a gradual basis and started watching his diet. He is now around 200 lbs and he can reel off centuries when he feels like it.

The thing is that it takes persistence and patience. Most people don't have either given our society based on instant gratification.

try starting with taking stairs instead of escalators/elevators, and walking to places nearby. Scale activities up over time.

As long as he doesnt do any aggressive or trailriding its fairly easy to get a mountainbike that will hold up to some roadrides for a guy his size, but I wouldn't recommend him trailriding until he's lost some weight. If he needs any encouragement, I lost over 60lbs 3 years ago when I started cycling and have fairly easily kept off 50 of it just casually watching what I eat and riding to work and doing a few longer rides on the weekends on occasion.

My wife is overweight, and has arthritis, which has been exacerbated by walking, whenever she has tried to start getting more fit. We are members of the YMCA, but she doen't like to go there, because she sticks out like an out of shape sore thumb. I think that she would prefer to use a stationary recumbant, as this wouldn't put 250 lbs of preasure on her feet,while exercising. I'm stupid for never having thought to get one. Even if she starts pedaling 5 mins per day, she will dramatically improve her health, and maybe get to where she feels comfortable riding with my boys, who average 9 to 11 mph.

The tough part , for me, is to convince her to take my advice on anything fitness-wise, as she thinks that I have no clue what her weight problem is like, and how to fix it. It's a very touchy subject.

Given the arthritis, see if she want to try the swimming pool. Even, walking and exercise in the water can be a good workout (if she isn't a swimmer). In the summer there may be some indoor pools that are more empty because people are outdoors. Or, outdoors pools full of non-athletic people so she might feel more comfortable.

Good luck!

Once he loses the weight, he's gonna have a very muscular body from years of carying the weight. But the arms may not match the strength in his legs. I'd suggest adding some weight training for the arms and shoulders. Inside every fat guy is a very strong man.

Sometimes when I see a beautiful but very fat woman, I think "what a shame, if she lost weight, she'd be a hottie". The same is even more true for fat guys, beneath all the fat is serious stud.

Tell your friend to take his time and get real buff. Then find those jerks who enjoyed making those snide comments all these years and kick the snot out of them.

That's what I did. It's very theraputic.

....Richard

My oppinion is his endocrine system is screwed up . If he can afford a endocrinologist , do it . If not , I would advise him to read up on rHGH , otherwise called human growth horemone , injectable . Thats my thought on his health . He has a imbalance in his endocrine system that needs to be addressed .
jarhead#42
Honestly , a drs not worth much . U need a specialist . You need to find the cuase of his health problems . The metabolism of a person lies in the endocrine system . If your serious and determined . Check your horemone leveles asap

try starting with taking stairs instead of escalators/elevators, and walking to places nearby. Scale activities up over time.

I think this is a potentially dangerous activity for an out of shape 450 lb person. For some reason, people push themselves hard when they walk up stairs. Normal stair climbing is like running. I don't think a totally out of shape hyperobese person should go out and do anything intense right off the bat, like climbing say 5 flights of stairs. They could easily fall over dead. It might not happen but it could.

I would think that they need to go to a physician first and get thoroughly checked out and by a physician with experience with morbidly obese people.

Also any exercise program they do undertake should be pretty low intensity at first and hopefully not weight bearing.

Many years ago, I had a very large collegue who did some cycling and enjoyed it. I moved from there 20 years ago and since lost track of the guy, so...

I wonder why so many posters recommend that a 450-lb person walks and say that he would not be able to cycle? I'd rather suggest the contrary for the following reasons:

- Walking is a bit hard on joints. Not as much as running, but more than cycling.

- He would have to carry all his weight while walking, but not while cycling.

- A bicycle can be ridden rather hard, but also very smoothly... and anything in between.


A few points will obviously need to be considered:

- His tastes and personnality. Some people may easily be convinced to ride at a slow pace, but others will want to race and develop a sweat ASAP. The latter would NOT be good for our gentleman.

- His physical condition. Some heavy people ride their motorised scooter from bed to car to job... while others do some exercise. The large collegue of mine drove a car, but was walking 5-6 km per day anyway.

- HIs physical constitution. Those who seem simply "too large" are easier to install on a bike than those who have a 300-lb belly.

- His previous experience cycling. It's not easy for anyone to balance on a bike after 20 years; it must be even harder for an obese person. But if the guy had been an avid cyclist in his youth, he will get back on a bike much more easily than if he had been riding only once or twice.


With the above considerations, I would suggest:
- If he has ridden a lot, an unsuspended bike with an oblique top tube, so he would still have rigidity and a fairly easy semi step-through.
- Otherwise, a tricycle.

I would not recommend a recumbrent bicycle, because most are too hard to start and a bit hard to learn to manoeuvre. A recumbrent tricycle could work (no speed issue here), but getting up from one might be a challenge.


I think most frames, even the cheap "gas pipe" frames will support the load. Remember that we are not talking about performance riding. If he is 6' 6" and in need of a really tall frame, then flex might be a more serious issue.

Whether on a bicycle or a trycicle, the saddle will be critical. I have no advice to offer.

Wheels. Basic wheels should work for a while, but if he develops a taste for longer rides, I'd recommend more spokes, especially on the rear wheel. 26" wheels are sturdier in theory; however, since they often have 4 less spokes than 700c wheels, they probably compare.

Rims and tires. 26'" wheel have an advantage: wider tires are much easier to find! Large tires will indeed be a must to bear all the weight.

I wonder why so many posters recommend that a 450-lb person walks and say that he would not be able to cycle? ...

I recommended walking, not so much based on this fellow's size, but on his current level of fitness. The original post said that he had trouble walking a few hundred feet. My thought was that if he tried cycling, that he would hate it and quit early. A short walk on the other hand, seemed a better way to ease into exercise. Also if he gives up early, there is no money wasted on hardware (a bike).

Of all the suggestions given, my favorite is the recumbent stationary bike. These are inexpensive and would allow him to exercise in the privacy of his own home. Many folks are self-conscious when starting an exercise program. The stationary bike eliminates the disadvantages of walking while managing to keep most of the advantages of cycling. Note that I would recommend a conventional bike at some later point when he is more fit.

Dan

I wonder why so many posters recommend that a 450-lb person walks and say that he would not be able to cycle?

I would also endorse a recumbent stationary bike.

My feeling, perhaps wrong, was that getting 450 pounds on a bicycle (or trike) would be quite an adventure and might be defeating. However, if this was possible, and if a bike could hold 450 pounds, and if this gentleman could pedal, given the girth of this legs, than I think it would be fine.

It would tend to take a lot of weight off of the legs.

Someone mentioned stair climbing. I think this would be very dangerous for someone weighing almost 1/4 ton.