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Resources for Wheelchair Exercisers

Ask most people of the challenges they faceNumerous and exciting options exist for
following through with an exercise programindividuals in wheelchairs who desire to
and you're likely to hear the commonquench the burning desire of sport and
complaints: Lack of motivation, being toocompetition...
tired, not having enough time, too busy. Or
as someone recently told me, "My get up andInternational  Paralympic  Committee
go  has  gotten  up  and  gone".
The Paralympic Games are the Olympic
But imagine having the unique challenge ofequivalent competitions for individuals with
not being able to, literally, "get up anddisabilities and are recognized by the
go". This is the unique challenge of the moreInternational Olympic Committee. The IPC
than 56 million disabled individuals in theorganizes the Paralympic Games along with
U.S.  alone,  many  who are wheelchair users.other multi-disability competitions, from
regional to world championships, with the
For many involved in the mainstream fitnesshighest achieving athletes in each sport
industry, the term "wheelchair exerciser" mayqualifying for the Paralympics. IPC's vision:
conjure up images of someone in a physical"To enable paralympic athletes to achieve
therapy setting in the process ofsporting excellence and inspire and excite
rehabilitation from injury or disability. Butthe world." Inspire, indeed! The next time
consider the wheelchair user who wants toyou'd rather skip a workout, surf over to
participate in regular exercise for weightthis site and be inspired by these athletes.
loss or muscle gain. Or those with theA  truly  amazing  organization.
burning desire to compete in a favorite
sport. What services meet their uniqueDisabled  Sports  USA
challenges?
A non-profit organization established in 1967
Fortunately, there are many options thatby disabled Vietnam veterans, DS/USA offers
those in wheelchairs have in pursuing fitnessnationwide sports rehabilitation programs to
goals:anyone with a permanent disability. Promotes
successful rehabilitation and ongoing quality
Access  to  facilitiesof life through sports and competition.
Conducts training camps to prepare and select
The Americans with Disabilities Act signed inathletes for the Summer and Winter Paralympic
1990 helped increase the availability ofGames. DS/USA has a nationwide network of
wheelchair-accessible facilities, includingcommunity-based chapters, which is listed on
health clubs. As more and more private healththe  website.
clubs follow suit, individuals who use
wheelchairs  will  have  increasing  options.Canadian  Wheelchair  Sports  Association
However, access alone does not ensure thatThe CWSA is non-for-profit organization whose
wheelchair exercisers will have themission is to promote excellence and develop
appropriate equipment to meet their strengthopportunities for Canadians in wheelchair
training and cardiovascular needs. It's easysport.
enough to modify certain upper-body exercises
with dumbbells and resistance bands for aWheelchair  Sports,  USA
seated exercise, but most machines simply
will not accommodate a wheelchair. EffectiveProvides athletic experiences for disabled
aerobic training can be even harder toathletes that parallel those of mainstream
accomplish, since most cardiovascularathletes. The website states the organization
machines require use of the legs to raise theis "directed and developed by wheelchair
heart  rate.athletes and wheelchair sports enthusiasts
alike, individuals with a first-hand
Adaptive  Exercise  Machinesunderstanding to the values of
participation." Wheelchair Sports USA is
Fortunately, there is a large number ofrecognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee, and
adaptable exercise machines available to thealso  has  offerings  to  junior  athletes.
exerciser and to health clubs that choose to
offer  adaptive  exercise  options:The  Wheelchair  Bodybuilding  Page
The  Endorphin  CorporationContest schedule for Wheelchair Bodybuilding
Contests, links to bodybuilding federations
Manufacturer of wheelchair accessible fitnessthat promote wheelchair bodybuilding
machines for both cardiovascular and strengthcontests.
conditioning, including the hand cycle and
tabletop  bike.International Wheelchair Basketball
Federation
Access  To  Recreation
National  Wheelchair  Basketball  Federation
Exercise equipment and recreational products
for the wheelchair-bound such as all terrainExtreme  Sports
wheelchairs,  pool  lifts  and  more.
Traditional sports are fine, but what if
Spinlifetastes crave more extreme sporting
activities? Not to worry. Check out the
Sells wheelchairs of all types. Containsfollowing sites for information about extreme
resource  section.wheelchair sports and get ready to be Extreme
enthusiast and motivational speaker Michael
Adaptive  Fitness  Personal  TrainersMcKeller overcame spinal muscular atrophy to
conquer extreme sports such as skydiving,
Finally recognizing the need for fitnessscuba diving, boating, and flying. Offers
professionals to be knowledgeable about theextreme sports video series featuring
needs of wheelchair exercisers, a number ofMcKeller in the pursuit of accomplishing one
personal trainer organizations offerextreme sport at a time. His mission? "To
specialized certifications and/or programs ininvite everyone to take a look at how he does
Adaptive Fitness. This is good news for thoseit  and  try  it  for  themselves."
who desire professional instruction by a
trainer who is knowledgeable of specialMobility  Engineering  Inc.
needs. The following are a few organizations
that offer either certification program inDesigner and manufacturer of adaptive sports
Adaptive  Fitness  or  specialized education:equipment that opens up new adventures for
disabled persons. Includes 100% arm-powered
International Sports Sciences Associationvehicles called the "Hand Bike" and the "Snow
(ISSA)/Specialist  in  Adaptive  FitnessPod." Website features past extreme trip
details.
American Association for Active Lifestyles &
FitnessGeneral and Recreational/Wheelchair Sport
emplate.cfm?template=adaptedaquatics.htmlWebsites
Exercise  videos,  TV  Programs  and  ManualsWheelchairnet.org
Some may feel more comfortable working out inA "wheelchair virtual community" for people
the privacy of their own home rather thanwith a common interest in wheelchair
travelling to the gym. For those searchingtechnology and its application. An excellent
for in-home instruction, resources such asresource for the wheelchair user. Site
exercise videos, TV programs and printedincludes databases, slide lectures, article
instruction manuals can help the wheelchairreprints,  and  discussion  area.
user increase activity levels, lose fat and
gain  muscle  mass:Accessible  Fitness
Armchair  FitnessTake a look at this fitness center in Santa
Clara, CA. Established to help the
Classic armchair exercises developed byphysically-challenged to attain both the
fitness expert Betty Switkes. Includesphysical and mental benefits of exercise, it
videotapes for aerobic, strength, yoga, andoffers a wheelchair accessible gym, in-home
"gentle"  formats.exercise programs, adaptive fitness personal
trainers,  workshops  and  more.
Maria Serrao's Workout Tapes emplate_movies
ype_browse/mode_290298The  Muscular  Dystrophy  Organization
Actress and model Maria Serrao, in aWebsite carries loads of information,
wheelchair since the age of 5, stars in aresources,  and  motivational  stories.
series of exercise videotapes including:
Everyone Can Exercise-Cardio Challenge,Disabled  Go  Info
Toning & Strengthening, Real Life
Fitness-Body Sculpting, Real Life Fitness-Offers detailed access information for
Fat  Burning.disabled  people  across  the  UK.
Sit  and  Be  Fit  with  Mary  Ann  WilsonMagazines
Seated exercise videos for older adults andSports  n  Spokes  Magazine
or physically limited individuals. Sit and Be
Fit is also a cable TV series; the broadcastMagazine with international circulation
schedule  is  listed  on  the  website.covering the latest in competitive wheelchair
sports  and  recreational  opportunities.
Paul  Gaudino's  Family  Fitness  Show
Paralinks
Cable TV exercise show that features
exercises for the disabled, wheelchair bound,The magazine for people with spinal cord
seniors, people with back pain, andinjury. A web site dedicated exclusively for
beginners. Exercise videotapes are availablethe  wheelchair  culture  of  the  world.
through  his  website.
It's clear that being in a wheelchair doesn't
Creative  Chair  Exercisesmean leading a sedentary lifestyle. For those
individuals in wheelchairs who wish to
A Seated Exercise manual by Bob Blick,exercise, remain active, or compete in
including  both aerobic and strength formats.sports, numerous resources exist. For those
not in wheelchairs, take a look at any of the
The  Thrill  of  Victory...above links. You'll soon forget about using
any of the old, worn-out excuses not to get
Wheelchair  Sports  and  Competitionoff the couch and get active.



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