Workouts for Physically Handicapped People?

[Fit4Christ]

I will be opening a Christian based gym in the near future. I am curious to hear about what kinds of exercise equipment that physically handicapped people would need/want/require in a gym?

 

[brokenbananas]

I'm not physically handicapped, but there is a paraplegic (no use of his legs) that goes to one of my gyms. The whole gym has a lot of room for him to get in and out of equipment. He uses the free weights as well as machines. He is very committed and dedicated...so, I would think plenty of room for people who have wheelchairs to be able to easily access all equipment. Our gym also has rowing machines, so he can do this for cardio. I can't remember if he does swimming or not, but this is also available to him.

This man can basically use any of the upper body machines that the gym has: Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Nautilus, etc.

 

[Fit4Christ]

I'm not physically handicapped, but there is a paraplegic (no use of his legs) that goes to one of my gyms. The whole gym has a lot of room for him to get in and out of equipment. He uses the free weights as well as machines. He is very committed and dedicated...so, I would think plenty of room for people who have wheelchairs to be able to easily access all equipment. Our gym also has rowing machines, so he can do this for cardio. I can't remember if he does swimming or not, but this is also available to him.

This man can basically use any of the upper body machines that the gym has: Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Nautilus, etc.

Thanks for your input, mdolls. I was just curious if some special equipment was needed, other than easy access to the machines. I guess it all depends on the person and the type of disability, too. The reason I asked was I read an article in our local paper about a gym in Minnesota that caters specifically to handicapped people who are tired of doing "physical therapy". This article stated that there was a general desire among physically challenged people to have more "mainstream" access to gyms/workout centers.

 

[brokenbananas]

I would think it would really depend on the disability, right? Even though I have no physical disabilities, I cannot use all the equipment in our gym. Some are more for the heavy bodybuilders & powerlifters. I would think a person who have to assess their physical disability and find the right equipment, which in larger gyms, there is a huge variety to choose from. Like, if you had only 1 arm, there are free weights you could use, or equipment that has the use of individual arms, like a bicep curl or tricep pushdown. The cable machine allows for both arms as well as one arm, similar for legs.

Lifetime Fitness (one of the gyms I belong to), has regular exercise balls, those domed shaped balls, bands, tubes, and a bunch of other things. It all depends upon one's creativity. I'm surprised at some of the uses of some of the things at my gym.

I think leaving plenty of room between equipment or aisles, having wheelchair access, if it's on the 2nd floor, an elevator (or a ramp in case of fire), would be the most practical things. In the shower areas, having enough room for a wheelchair and guard rails.

It would also be good to have staff on hand that knows how to deal with various people's physical disabilities to help show them exercises they can do to achieve their goals. Even when I've been injured, I've worked out other areas of my body with no real issues.

 

[fitmom]

One of the clubs I work at very occasionally called Ladies California Fitness has lovely machines (can't remember the brand) in womans size! They are all just a bit smaller, still lots of plates, but it is really nice to put female clients on these machines. The other club that I work at, Regina Sportplex, we have a track where this guy in a special wheel chair trains, and can he go fast! I know he competes. His disability is limited to his legs, so as long as the weight room is accessible, he can use the equipment. I think most people who are physically challenged would have a rehab. type gym to work out at, a place that can accommodate them with specialized equipment and properly staffed.

 

[Fit4Christ]

I would think a person who have to assess their physical disability and find the right equipment, which in larger gyms, there is a huge variety to choose from. Like, if you had only 1 arm, there are free weights you could use, or equipment that has the use of individual arms, like a bicep curl or tricep pushdown. The cable machine allows for both arms as well as one arm, similar for legs.

I agree that it depends on their disability and you certainly have touched on some things to use in a "mainstream" or popular gym. I certainly would think that physically challenged people could use "mainstream" gyms to meet their needs.

But, from reading the article I mentioned, it sounded like the needs of the physically challenged weren't being met very well. I was hoping to hear from someone who was physically challenged and what they would like to see in a gym that could accomodate their needs that they are not getting currently. Or even things that are in their gym that aren't in a normal gym that has helped them.

Thanks again for your input mdolls!

 

[Fit4Christ]

One of the clubs I work at very occasionally called Ladies California Fitness has lovely machines (can't remember the brand) in womans size! They are all just a bit smaller, still lots of plates, but it is really nice to put female clients on these machines. The other club that I work at, Regina Sportplex, we have a track where this guy in a special wheel chair trains, and can he go fast! I know he competes. His disability is limited to his legs, so as long as the weight room is accessible, he can use the equipment. I think most people who are physically challenged would have a rehab. type gym to work out at, a place that can accommodate them with specialized equipment and properly staffed.

I wasn't aware there were such machines for women. If you find out the brand name, let me know, PM me or something, will ya?

I would think that a rehab gym would be adequate, too. But the article I read was indicating that physically challenged people wanted to be included in the "mainstream" gyms. I don't know if that is true or not, that's why I posted. I don't know if they would require special equipment or machines or what not. I'm just curious what their requirements would be and how thier needs aren't being met in a regular gym. If you lost use of your legs and had to be in a wheelchair, would you want to work out at a rehad center or a "mainstream" gym?