Written by Sara McEvoy, PT, DPT
If you or someone you know uses a wheelchair on a part-time or full-time basis, then you probably can appreciate how important strength and fitness are for safer mobility.
Being fit, strong, and as healthy as possible will help you maximize your quality of life and level of independence.
Daily exercise is one of the most essential tools to help you achieve these objectives. But what if you're concerned about sustaining an injury while working out in a traditional gym environment?
What if you've struggled to find effective, challenging, enjoyable, and safe exercises to do in your wheelchair? What if the gym you attend isn't really all that accessible as your home is—or worse, you feel embarrassed and frustrated when you go there?
If these concerns sound familiar, rest assured you're not alone. An estimated 15 million Americans use a wheelchair, and represent all ages, health backgrounds, disability, and lifestyles.
As a result, many modifications, adaptations, and specialized equipment are available to help meet the unique and wide-ranging fitness goals of the wheelchair user population.
For many wheelchair users, learning to choose the right gym equipment is crucial since traditional forms of exercise can be unduly challenging and in some cases unsafe. Consider the following:
As frustrating as these can be, people in wheelchairs should not be discouraged by limitations imposed on them by traditional gym equipment.
Finding tools and methods to help you exercise as safely as possible is a worthwhile challenge to undertake because exercise can offer you profound physical and mental benefits.
In addition to helping you maximize your strength, posture, and overall well-being, exercise will also boost your energy and mood, while helping you feel more confident and capable, too!
So, what can wheelchair users do to maintain regular physical activity? Let's take a look at some simple tips.
No equipment necessary!
The following exercises are a great way to get more physical activity from the comfort of your own wheelchair (and your own home).
Just be smart—if you're new to exercise or currently under medical care, chat with your doctor or physical therapist before implementing a new routine.
If possible, you can also implement portable and affordable products like resistance bands to add resistance to movements like the chest fly, reverse fly, bicep curl, lat pull down, and seated chest press. A physical therapist or knowledgeable trainer can help you learn how to position the band for optimal effect.
Lastly, when in doubt you can also do "sprints" in your wheelchair—mobilizing as fast and as safely as possible around a track or within another safe indoor or outdoor area.
Try an interval-style routine (periods of work separated by periods of rest) for a more intense workout, or use a slower pace for a longer time duration.
To ramp up your wheelchair workout (no pun intended), consider using disability-friendly products designed explicitly with the wheelchair user in mind.
The following devices are a great solution for injury rehabilitation or simply a daily exercise routine if you or a loved one uses a wheelchair:
This all-in-one workout station will help you build strength and gain endurance while still in the comfort of your wheelchair. It's perfect for users of all ages and abilities.
This compact home gym can be assembled in a few minutes and requires no previous physical ability to start, which makes it perfect for exercising regardless of your goals and needs.
Exercising is not completely attached to a workout session, you can improve your health and strengthen your body by living a more active life exploring what you love the most. This premium chair represents that skillfully with resistant and all-terrain materials supporting you.
It disassembles in seconds to easily fit your trunk and allows you to go more places without the need for push-rim propulsion like most wheelchairs.
For those looking for a little more speed, this handcycle is a brilliant solution that will help you have a good time outdoors while exercising on your own.
Easy to maneuver, brake, and equipped with a chain guard, this high-quality product takes safety seriously to deliver a fun experience through a solid frame and a completely adjustable seat.
This portable and lightweight exercise machine is an ideal solution if you desire to onboard a knee and joint-safe adventure. Each pedal can be used independently so you can choose when and what leg to work out.
With only 25 lbs of total weight, it easily fits all types of chairs and wheelchairs and will ensure your leg muscles become stronger while improving your range of motion.
Can you imagine exercising using your favorite chair or recliner? It's possible with this full-body workout system. It was designed to improve your health and return confidence and independence.
Get stronger with more than 40 exercise activities inside a safe machine that is compatible with most chairs on the market, so you can switch it at will.
This set was specially created to transform your wheelchair into your professional trainer. Its long-lasting materials and wide range of exercises will empower you and help you get stronger.
This workout machine is a great asset for your residence and is widely used in many commercial establishments for its effectiveness in focusing key muscles even with limited mobility.
Daily physical activity is a must-do for everybody—including people with a disability. But fitness isn't about finding a "one size fits all" exercise program. Instead, it's about finding the movements, products, equipment, and modifications you need to safely accommodate your disability (or wheelchair) without compromising your workout.
Do you need help outfitting your home gym with wheelchair-friendly equipment, or need new wheelchair suggestions? Need some inspiring new ideas to keep your exercise routine fresh, challenging, and fun? Visit RehabMart today and browse our full selection of accessible equipment and assistive tools!
You can also check out Caregiver University for more helpful articles like this one on disabled living, caregiving, and newly released devices.
Sara McEvoy, PT, DPT, is a licensed and board-certified Doctor of Physical Therapy. She has direct clinical experience within the long-term acute care and skilled nursing settings, and has a special interest in geriatrics and neurological rehab. She is also a freelance writer who creates content almost exclusively within the health and wellness fields.
