What kind of exercise machine for someone v overweight with knee problems?

[Lucky13]

I'm trying to help a relative get fitter and lose weight. He would like to do something at home as he is a bit of a recluse and would hate classes. He was considering an exercise bike. I know nothing about these things, but was wondering if anyone had any advice? He is v overweight and I'm not sure if there are weight limits on bikes? He also has knee problems which are being exacerbated by his weight. His home doesn't have a lot of room so it would have to be quite compact.
Any words of wisdom?

To be honest, swimming is his best bet, but realise that being near naked in public is probably not top of his list and getting a pool put in at home is neither a compact nor cheap solution!

There are usually manufacturer recommended upper weight limits on any home gym equipment, they are usually listed on websites that retail the stuff - try fitness-superstore.co.uk

Unfortunately he can't swim and is scared of learning again due to a bad experience.
Will look up the link
Thanks

Instead of spending money on a home exercise bike he might be better off getting a personal trainer who would visit him at home? It sounds like he might need a bit of help learning what is the most effective way for him to lose the weight (low impact weight training by the sounds of it), as well as getting some nutritional advice alongside the exercise.

Depending on where you live, good PT's range from about £35p/h (with discounts on bulk buying) and there's a lot you get for your money as they can give him workouts to do outside the PT sessions along with measurements, fitness testing and a lot of encouragement!

If money is an issue even getting someone for a month can really be a great start to learn the basics

Is there anything he could do to make swimming pools more appealing? He doesn't have to actually swim to get benefits, just walk around in the water. There are adult swimaerobics sessions on in most pools most days, too. Or he could join a private pool & go for his own completely private sessions; put a radio on and walk around for half an hour in the shallow end (most private pools are shallow enough to stand everywhere). There are waterproof music players now, too, marketed at sporty swimmers who want tunes.

I'd be very worried about protecting his joints until he's got some weight off.

Stationary Exercise bike might be the next best option, but good ones are expensive, take up a lot of room, very BORING to use, and have to make sure it can take him at his current weight.

Discussion with GP?

Recumbent bike should be his best bet, but worth seeing if he's got space, they're huge.

There are weight limits on them, but if he has the caah for a more expensive one, the professional ones should have higher weight limits, might be worth googling the brands the biggest loser use in their gyms?

Has he seen his GP? Might be able to recommend a local scheme that can help in some way (even if it's just to approve exercise and suggest a diet plan).

There are chair workout dvds for the infirm/eldery. I used them when I was heavily pregnant and although not the greatest, it's 'something', and are a cheaper option than buying the bike and realising he hates it.

I have a relative with weight exacerbated knee problems, she has a running machine that she walks on whilst watching Eastenders, some days she can't manage it but every little is helping.

Hope it goes well for him.

I would have thought a cross trainer would be better on the knees than a bike?

Thanks for all the suggestions. He is just on the weight limit for a couple of bikes he has seen, but I think I will see if he will go to his GP.

Bike is good I think - watch the weight limit and stick a tv in front

rowing machine?