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Controlling Pain with Rheumatoid Arthritis Exercises
If you are suffering from stiff, swollen joints and have been
diagnosed with the condition known as rheumatoid arthritis,
there is hope.
In most instances, you can continue to do the hobbies and
activities you enjoy without being plagued...
Diabetes Relief And Prevention Through Exercise
Diabetes is something that can be treated and even prevented
very effectively with exercise. Most people are aware of the
many other benefits of exercise but the one that could have the
greatest impact on the health-care system is the prevention...
Dumbbell Workouts - A Smart Way To Exercise
Dumbbell workouts have been around for many years, especially as part of weight training equipment and programs. Fad workouts and equipment have come and gone, but dumbbell workouts have remained an easy, inexpensive way to get in shape and...
Fitness, Stretching & Exercise Selection For Women
Fitness, Stretching & Exercise Selection For Women By Phil Beckett Copyright © Physique Concepts Inc. In addition to stretching the muscles involved in cardiovascular exercise, you need to stretch each specific muscle you train in a fitness...
How Exercise Can Help You Sleep Better...
The amount of physical activity that you expend during the day is a key ingredient to helping you sleep restfully at night. The more active your body is during the day the more likely you are able to relax fully at night and fall asleep easily.
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Resources for Wheelchair Exercisers
Ask most people of the challenges they face following through with an exercise program and you're likely to hear the common complaints: Lack of motivation, being too tired, not having enough time, too busy. Or as someone recently told me, "My get up and go has gotten up and gone".
But imagine having the unique challenge of not being able to, literally, "get up and go". This is the unique challenge of the more than 56 million disabled individuals in the U.S. alone, many who are wheelchair users.
For many involved in the mainstream fitness industry, the term "wheelchair exerciser" may conjure up images of someone in a physical therapy setting in the process of rehabilitation from injury or disability. But consider the wheelchair user who wants to participate in regular exercise for weight loss or muscle gain. Or those with the burning desire to compete in a favorite sport. What services meet their unique challenges?
Fortunately, there are many options that those in wheelchairs have in pursuing fitness goals:
Access to facilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act signed in 1990 helped increase the availability of wheelchair-accessible facilities, including health clubs. As more and more private health clubs follow suit, individuals who use wheelchairs will have increasing options.
However, access alone does not ensure that wheelchair exercisers will have the appropriate equipment to meet their strength training and cardiovascular needs. It’s easy enough to modify certain upper-body exercises with dumbbells and resistance bands for a seated exercise, but most machines simply will not accommodate a wheelchair. Effective aerobic training can be even harder to accomplish, since most cardiovascular machines require use of the legs to raise the heart rate.
Adaptive Exercise Machines
Fortunately, there is a large number of adaptable exercise machines available to the exerciser and to health clubs that choose to offer adaptive exercise options:
The Endorphin Corporation http://www.endorphin.net/ Manufacturer of wheelchair accessible fitness machines for both cardiovascular and strength conditioning, including the hand cycle and tabletop bike.
Access To Recreation http://www.endorphin.net/ Exercise equipment and recreational products for the wheelchair-bound such as all terrain wheelchairs, pool lifts and more.
Spinlife http://www.spinlife.com/ Sells wheelchairs of all types. Contains resource section.
Adaptive Fitness Personal Trainers
Finally recognizing the need for fitness professionals to be knowledgeable about the needs of wheelchair exercisers, a number of personal trainer organizations offer specialized certifications and/or programs in Adaptive Fitness. This is good news for those who desire professional instruction by a trainer who is knowledgeable of special needs. The following are a few organizations that offer either certification program in Adaptive Fitness or specialized education:
International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)/Specialist in Adaptive Fitness http://www.issaonline.com/courses/saf.cfm
American Association for Active Lifestyles & Fitness http://www.aahperd.org/aaalf emplate.cfm?template=adaptedaquatics.html
Exercise videos, TV Programs and Manuals
Some may feel more comfortable working out in the privacy of their own home rather than travelling to the gym. For those searching for in-home instruction, resources such as exercise videos, TV programs and printed instruction manuals can help the wheelchair user increase activity levels, lose fat and gain muscle mass:
Armchair Fitness http://www.armchairfitness.com/ Classic armchair exercises developed by fitness expert Betty Switkes. Includes videotapes for aerobic, strength, yoga, and "gentle" formats.
Maria Serrao’s Workout Tapes http://www.dropbears.com/amazon emplate_movies ype_browse/mode_290298 Actress and model Maria Serrao, in a wheelchair since the age of 5, stars in a series of exercise videotapes including: Everyone Can Exercise-Cardio Challenge, Toning & Strengthening, Real Life Fitness-Body Sculpting, Real Life Fitness- Fat Burning.
Sit and Be Fit with Mary Ann Wilson http://www.sitandbefit.com/ Seated exercise videos for older adults and/or physically limited individuals. Sit and Be Fit is also a cable TV series; the broadcast schedule is listed on the website.
Paul Gaudino's Family Fitness Show http://www.exerciseman.com/ Cable TV exercise show that features exercises for the disabled, wheelchair bound, seniors, people with back pain, and beginners. Exercise videotapes are available through his website.
Creative Chair Exercises http://www.tudefitness.com/wheelchairexercisead.htm A Seated Exercise manual by Bob Blick, including both aerobic and strength formats.
The Thrill of Victory... Wheelchair Sports and Competition
Numerous and exciting options exist for individuals in wheelchairs who desire to quench the burning desire of sport and competition...
International Paralympic Committee http://www.paralympic.org/ The Paralympic Games are the Olympic equivalent
competitions for individuals with disabilities and are recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The IPC organizes the Paralympic Games along with other multi-disability competitions, from regional to world championships, with the highest achieving athletes in each sport qualifying for the Paralympics. IPC's vision: "To enable paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and inspire and excite the world." Inspire, indeed! The next time you'd rather skip a workout, surf over to this site and be inspired by these athletes. A truly amazing organization.
Disabled Sports USA http://www.dsusa.org/ A non-profit organization established in 1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans, DS/USA offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanent disability. Promotes successful rehabilitation and ongoing quality of life through sports and competition. Conducts training camps to prepare and select athletes for the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. DS/USA has a nationwide network of community-based chapters, which is listed on the website.
Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association http://www.cwsa.ca/home.html The CWSA is non-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote excellence and develop opportunities for Canadians in wheelchair sport.
Wheelchair Sports, USA http://www.wsusa.org/wsusa/ Provides athletic experiences for disabled athletes that parallel those of mainstream athletes. The website states the organization is "directed and developed by wheelchair athletes and wheelchair sports enthusiasts alike, individuals with a first-hand understanding to the values of participation." Wheelchair Sports USA is recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee, and also has offerings to junior athletes.
The Wheelchair Bodybuilding Page http://www.wsusa.org/wsusa/ Contest schedule for Wheelchair Bodybuilding Contests, links to bodybuilding federations that promote wheelchair bodybuilding contests.
International Wheelchair Basketball Federation http://www.iwbf.org/
National Wheelchair Basketball Federation http://www.nwba.org/index.php
Extreme Sports
Traditional sports are fine, but what if tastes crave more extreme sporting activities? Not to worry. Check out the following sites for information about extreme wheelchair sports and get ready to be amazed...
extrememike.com http://www.extrememike.com/ Extreme enthusiast and motivational speaker Michael McKeller overcame spinal muscular atrophy to conquer extreme sports such as skydiving, scuba diving, boating, and flying. Offers extreme sports video series featuring McKeller in the pursuit of accomplishing one extreme sport at a time. His mission? "To invite everyone to take a look at how he does it and try it for themselves."
Mobility Engineering Inc. http://www.mobilityeng.com/ Designer and manufacturer of adaptive sports equipment that opens up new adventures for disabled persons. Includes 100% arm-powered vehicles called the "Hand Bike" and the "Snow Pod." Website features past extreme trip details.
General and Recreational/Wheelchair Sport Websites
Wheelchairnet.org http://www.wheelchairnet.org/WCN_Living/health.html A "wheelchair virtual community" for people with a common interest in wheelchair technology and its application. An excellent resource for the wheelchair user. Site includes databases, slide lectures, article reprints, and discussion area.
Accessible Fitness http://www.accessibilitytraining.com/ Take a look at this fitness center in Santa Clara, CA. Established to help the physically-challenged to attain both the physical and mental benefits of exercise, it offers a wheelchair accessible gym, in-home exercise programs, adaptive fitness personal trainers, workshops and more.
The Muscular Dystrophy Organization http://www.mdausa.org/ Website carries loads of information, resources, and motivational stories.
Disabled Go Info http://www.mdausa.org/ Offers detailed access information for disabled people across the UK.
Magazines
Sports n Spokes Magazine http://www.pvamagazines.com/sns/ Magazine with international circulation covering the latest in competitive wheelchair sports and recreational opportunities.
Paralinks http://www.paralinks.net/ The magazine for people with spinal cord injury. A web site dedicated exclusively for the wheelchair culture of the world.
It’s clear that being in a wheelchair doesn't mean leading a sedentary lifestyle. For those individuals in wheelchairs who wish to exercise, remain active, or compete in sports, numerous resources exist. For those not in wheelchairs, take a look at any of the above links. You’ll soon forget about using any of the old, worn-out excuses not to get off the couch and get active.
About the Author
Jon Gestl, CSCS, is a Chicago personal trainer and fitness instructor who specializes in helping people get in shape in the privacy and convenience of their home or office. He is a United States National Aerobic Champion silver and bronze medalist and world-ranked sportaerobic competitor. He can be contacted through his website at http://www.jongestl.com.
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Exercise at About.com |
Offers fitness and exercise related links, articles, information, and discussions. |
exercise.about.com |
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American Council On Exercise |
Fitness Certification and Education: The American Council on Exercise (ACE), a non-profit organization, promotes active lifestyles by setting certification ... |
www.acefitness.org |
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Physical exercise - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
Physical exercise is the performance of some activity in order to develop or ... Frequent and regular physical exercise is an important component in the ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
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Why Exercise Is Cool |
Tells why exercise is important and explores the many benefits of physical activity. |
www.kidshealth.org |
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Kids and Exercise |
When most adults think about exercise, they imagine working out in the gym on a treadmill or lifting weights. But for children, exercise means playing and ... |
www.kidshealth.org |
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Fitness Fundamentals |
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www.hoptechno.com |
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MedlinePlus: Exercise and Physical Fitness |
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases The primary NIH organization for research on Exercise and Physical Fitness is the ... |
www.nlm.nih.gov |
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MedlinePlus: Exercise for Seniors |
Pictures/Diagrams; Slide Show: Balance Exercises Improve Stability, Help Prevent Falls (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) ... |
www.nlm.nih.gov |
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Exercise: A Healthy Habit to Start and Keep -- familydoctor.org |
Information about exercise from the American Academy of Family Physicians. |
familydoctor.org |
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Welcome to ::-:: Exercise, Fitness and Leisure |
Information on various aspects of exercise and fitness and providers of sporting, exercise and leisure equipment. |
www.exercise.co.uk |
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ExRx (Exercise Prescription) on the Net |
Fitness and exercise information including diet, nutrition, exercise, sports and weight training. Includes a muscle directory. |
www.exrx.net |
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Weight Training, Exercise Instruction & Kinesiology |
Weight training and kinesiology reference with many animated weight training exercises, stretches, plyometric movements, and illustrated muscles. |
www.exrx.net |
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Exercise & Fitness |
Swimming, cycling, jogging, skiing, aerobic dancing, walking or any of dozens of other activities can help your heart. Whether it is a structured exercise ... |
www.americanheart.org |
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Howstuffworks "How Exercise Works" |
Exercise creates a set of responses in your body, whether you work out regularly or not. Find out how these responses can be enhanced by training. |
www.howstuffworks.com |
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Exercise and Diabetes - American Diabetes Association |
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Exercise works the same way. Taking that first step can be hard, especially if you've been ... |
www.diabetes.org |
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NIHSeniorHealth: Exercise for Older Adults - Table of contents |
See the Exercise Stories. Exercise for Older Adults Table of Contents. Benefits of Exercise · Safety First · Exercises to Try · Charting Progress ... |
nihseniorhealth.gov |
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Exercise to Improve Your Body and Your Brain |
My comprehensive exercise guide. ... The key to obtaining the benefits of exercise is to find a program and stick to it. Of course, it is useful to have a ... |
www.mercola.com |
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FitnessOnline.com - Exercise Health Nutrition Advice Weight Loss |
FitnessOnline.com - expert advice on exercise programs, diets, weight loss, muscle gain, vitamins, supplements & strength training. |
www.fitnessonline.com |
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Table of Contents |
Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging ... Chapter 2: Is It Safe for Me to Exercise? ... Chapter 4: Examples of Exercises to Do at Home ... |
weboflife.nasa.gov |
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Exercise Physiology Page for the MAPP |
Aging, Exercise and Short Term Power · Principles of Training- Revisited · The Time Course of Training Adaptations · Understanding Interval Training ... |
home.hia.no |
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