At-home Fitness Programs Vital Health Option for Disabled

Posted by Andrew Leibs Nov 22, 2008

When you’re disabled, keeping fit can be tough: a blind woman can’t find anyone to pilot her tandem bike, the healthclub pool lacks a lift, or a nearby recreation program provides accessibility, but not transportation.

One solution is to work out at home. I’ve worn out three treadmills in 10 years, preferring basement runs by my stereo to dodging cars and dogs.

The disabled sports boom has inspired the development of exercise programs for many disabilities that people can do almost anywhere, whether confinement is an apartment, wheelchair, or bed. Here are three examples:

Out of Sight Fitness

When Bob Koppenjan saw that blind people don’t go to health clubs, he designed Out of Sight Health & Fitness, which includes a braille book and audio CD providing guidelines on diet and exercise instruction. Students also receive a quarterly newsletter and two phone consultations.

T’ai Chi in a Chair: Easy 15-minute Routines for Beginners

Cynthia Quarta’s book, T’ai Chi in a Chair (Fair Winds Press, 2001) offers 15-minute routines (all of which ca be performed while seated) in the gentle martial art. T’ai Chi helps increase strength, flexibility, relaxation, and overall mental and physical health.

Bed Top Yoga DVD/Videos

“Bed Top Yoga” is a video (now available on DVD) that guides viewers through a series of simple stretches and rudimentary yoga postures, followed by relaxation exercises done while lying down. The course instructor is Carol Dickman (certified Kripalu & Bikram), whose Yoga Enterprises also offers “Seated Yoga” and “Airplane Yoga.” Each DVD or videocassette is $19.95 ($5 shipping) or two for $35.