What is the difference in a Theracycle which as I understand it has a motorized "boost" to help you pedal faster and a magnetic bike which makes resistance harder? It seems they are not the same thing but do they give you the same benefit?

Let's start at the beginning, which is the protocol from the clinical trial. The protocol specifies a cadence of between 80 and 90 RPM, and a heart rate of between 60% and 85% of HRmax (where HRmax is simply calculated as 220 minus your age). Forty minutes per session, three sessions per week.

Some people can achieve the protocol's specification without any assistance from a motor (or from a tandem captain). Road bikes or exercise bikes can be used. Different exercise bikes come with different types of "resistance" (e.g. magnetic, fan, belt etc.). You adjust the resistance to achieve the protocol's specification. For example, you may find that when you cycle at a cadence of between 80 and 90 RPM, your heart rate is below 60% of your HRmax. If this is the case then you need to increase the resistance level to get your heart rate into the range of between 60% and 85% of your HRmax.

If you find that you cannot maintain a cadence of between 80 and 90 RPM, even when the resistance is set to the lowest level, you could consider trying a different exercise bike (i.e. one which has a lower minimum resistance setting). If you still can't maintain the specified cadence, you could consider trying an exercise bike with motor assistance.

I know that Nan has her own views on (certain?) motor-assisted exercise bikes, but I think that if such a bike enables you to achieve the protocol's specification then that should be fine.

Very helpful, thanks. I am going to get a cardio workup before I start. I am 70 years old so I probably should get one no matter what.

Yes, a heart check sounds like a good idea.

Also, one thing I forgot to mention is that a lot of people find that, initially, they can only achieve the protocol's specification for a few minutes. After that, either their cadence drops or their heart rate gets too high. Some people in this situation have found that if they build up slowly over a period of weeks, they can eventually achieve the full specification.

Different people use different methods to help the time pass quickly (music, video etc.). These days I listen to the morning news/current-affairs programs on the radio.

Thanks! I figured out the parameters I need and have a cardio appointment scheduled for early September. Meanwhile I can take my time looking at bikes.

My husband rigged up a motor assist for my old mountain bike that got me started. I progressed to not needing the motor, to using a trainer with my regular bike, and now finally I'm strong enough to use a regular stationary bike at its lowest resistance

I have a handout that my husband put together with pictures and descriptions of the motor assist set-up. If anyone is interested, send me your email address and I'll send it to you. It's a bit long to go on here.

Has anyone heard of an e-trainer? In the promo materials they say it goes up to 75 power assisted. It just misses the mark by 5rpm for 80 to 90 FE.