What My Recumbent Trike Means To Me by Kendall Harvey

As a Friedreich’s ataxia (F A) patient, my options for exercise are limited. I can’t go to kickboxing or step classes with my friends, and I can’t go for a run or a hike. While many popular types of exercise, such as dancing, high-intensity interval training, and the bar workout, are technically a possibility, the modifications I would have to make to safely do them feel like more trouble than they’re worth in terms of emotional investment and getting in a productive workout. So, three weeks ago, I started riding my trike for 6.5 miles every day. I live in a hilly part of Austin, Texas, so it is a challenging workout. I am working on shaving off a minute of my time every eight rides.
It is exhilarating, invigorating, and challenging, and it is so worth it. It feels good to strengthen my legs and exercise my heart. I look forward to making this new exercise routine a lifelong habit. All of this is to say that if I can do it, you can, too. Find the right motivation and the exercise that works for you. It’s never too early or too late to invest in your health.