Finding the Right Solution for Circulation
Hey everybody, welcome back to Rolling Through Life. My name is Wanda.
I recently had some minor surgeries on my leg — they put in stents and other tubing to help improve my circulation. However, the swelling continued due to lack of movement. My doctor recommended compression hose, which would be fine during the winter, but I just can’t imagine wearing knee-high socks with shorts in the summer. That’s just not for me.
Being in a wheelchair means I don’t move my legs a lot throughout the day, so I started searching for a solution that would help with circulation.
Discovering the Ellipse Leg Exerciser
My brother suggested one of those standalone bike pedal machines, but unfortunately, that wouldn’t work for me because of the way my foot turns — it wouldn’t fit properly into the bike pedals. Then I thought about an elliptical machine, specifically an Ellipse Leg Exerciser that could fit under a desk or in front of a chair.
Using something like that two or three times a day could not only help circulation but also help me burn some calories and maybe even lose a little weight. So I decided to give it a try.
Unboxing the Flex Stride
Let me adjust the camera and show you the unboxing — kind of. I halfway started it already because it just makes things easier.
I accidentally opened the box from the bottom, but the first thing you’ll see are the foot pedals. I chose the Flex Stride, which has wider pedals and a tension knob. This model cost about $170 on Amazon, and I’ll link it below.
The pedals are nice and wide, which is great for me. I can place my foot on them comfortably, and because of how my right foot turns outward, the open design prevents it from bumping into anything. That’s why I picked this model.
Assembly and First Use
It only took about 10 minutes to assemble. The tension knob works well and holds steady — I’ll be starting at level one, which is low resistance.
There’s a small display that shows how fast you’re going and how long you’ve been pedaling. I set the machine on the floor in front of my wheelchair and turned it on. I wasn’t too concerned about speed — just the movement itself.
I did notice it might slide a bit since I don’t have carpet, so I’ll probably need to position it against a wall somewhere in the house.
Final Thoughts and Tips
Okay, here are my final thoughts.
First of all, always speak with your doctor. I talked to mine a few months ago when the swelling wouldn’t go down, and he thought using an Ellipse Leg Exerciser was a great idea. Plus, since I’m trying to lose more weight, this felt like a good way to stay active.
Even on the lowest resistance setting, it provides enough challenge without being too hard. If you’re on carpet and can lift heavier items with your arms, you could use this while sitting in a recliner, dining chair, or anywhere you’re comfortable. If not, just find a permanent spot where you don’t have to move it often.
I’m hoping that by using this at least five minutes, three times a day, I can improve my circulation enough to avoid wearing compression socks. Anything to stay active when you’re in a wheelchair is worth trying — especially as age starts to bring its own challenges.
I also have pulleys on my door for arm exercises and had hoped I could pedal and use the pulleys at the same time — turns out that won’t work. So this exerciser will need a dedicated spot, which I’ll figure out soon.
Is It Worth It?
In my opinion — yes! I think it’s absolutely amazing that they’ve created a product like this for people who can’t walk long distances. It gives you the ability to increase your exercise little by little, and that’s a huge win.
So that’s all for now. Please talk to your doctor before starting something like this. I’m excited to keep using it, and I’ll see y’all next time. Bye!