There are many benefits of regular physical activity and exercise, and no matter what your level of injury is, exercise is for everyone! Staying active is often considered a key factor in maintaining and improving overall health. Benefits of moderate physical activity can be even greater for individuals with a disability.
But it’s also important to inform your primary care physician prior to beginning a new exercise routine to make sure there are no medical issues you need to consider once you start to exercise. If possible, consult a trained exercise professional for an individualized exercise prescription.
Benefits of regular physical activity and exercise include:
- Weight control
- Improved strength and endurance to perform activities of daily living
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Enhanced feeling of well-being
- Protection against the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes
- Prevention of secondary conditions such as cardiovascular disease, pressure sores, hypertension and respiratory distress
- Increased cardiac (heart) and pulmonary (lung) function
- Lowered cholesterol and blood pressure
There are a wide variety of virtual fitness programs and applications available for people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders that can get you started on the road to improving your health, self-esteem, and quality of life. Here are some popular ones!
Disability Partnerships
Disability Partnerships is a community-based 501c3 nonprofit whose work is based on a partnership model. They collaborate with partners in multiple sectors (nonprofit, government, and private) to develop programs and activities in the focus areas of affordable accessible housing, health and wellness, education and economic empowerment. The organization believes that persons with physical disabilities can do more than just survive with a disability—they can thrive as people who live with physical disabilities. Learn more: https://www.disabilitypartnerships.org/events
Borp
Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working to improve the health, independence and social integration of people with physical disabilities through sports, fitness and recreation programs. At BORP, they believe that sports and recreation provide a path to greater achievement to which all people should have access, and we continually strive to make this a reality. Learn more: https://www.borp.org/borp-online-fitness-studio/
Adapt to Perform
Ben Clark believes everyone has the right to fitness. However, we live in a world not designed for us. So Ben has taken it upon myself to change that, by adapting workouts, and offering nutrition, advice, motivation for wheelchair users for any and all situations. Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClosZzwrXmjPzDCwD9OcC0A
Kakana
Kakana classes are all about inclusion.Their classes are for everyone. You should be able to get a high quality workout and not worry if you can participate. An inclusive community is a powerful community, don’t you agree? Kakana is not just a class, it’s a group of like-minded individuals http://Learn more: https://onekakana.com/who will learn, engage, and support each other. Learn more: https://onekakana.com/
Sitness
Created with the Spinal Cord Injury Transitions Group of Mount Sinai and powered by Social Creatures and Performance 360, Sitness is a free, fully seated, home-based aerobic and strength training workout for the upper body. Classes are held on Zoom. Sitness is open to everyone. No workout equipment is needed, and all ages, fitness levels, and mobility levels are welcomed. Learn more: https://www.thesocialcreatures.org/sitness
Zuk Fitness
Zuk Fitness is on a mission to help all wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments live healthier and more fulfilling lives. They are active supporters of positivity, independence, healthy lifestyle choices, and the concept that we are all stronger together. Zuk Fitness believes that with the right resources and mindset, we can still live beautiful, enriched lives with Zero limitations and Unity through Kinesthetics (Zūk). Learn more: https://zukfitness.com/
Zumba on Wheelz
Since her injury 13 years ago, Tennille Houstin has struggled to get a cardio workout. Going to the gym, I she fell in love with Zumba. Yet, it still took a couple of months to learn the songs well enough to get her heart pumping and lungs breathing hard. Now that she choreos her own songs, doing moves that feel right to her, Tennille gets her heart and lungs pumping every workout. She wants you to join her! Learn more: https://www.zumba.com/en-US/profile/tennille-houston/1967469