Wes Hamilton is a wheelchair user and self-proclaimed adaptive athlete. He admits that exercise was an initial challenge for him. However, when he found an exercise routine that worked for him it proved to be beneficial in several aspects of his life.
“The main issue for me initially was exercise; you don’t have to be a professional but getting in the habit of exploring some type of workout routine can not only help you physically but be really beneficial spiritually, emotionally and mentally.”
Wes provides fellow wheelchair users with a list of accessible exercise equipment:
Wes states that resistance bands can be very effective for someone (like himself) who has trouble gripping a barbell. (These bands are low in cost, too!) Wes gives examples to work on cardio such as using a hand bike, and/or pushing laps in your wheelchair at a gym or park. He says, “Doing cardio can help get your body pumped up for a good workout. If you don’t workout at all you start with 2-3 times a week for at least 30 minutes.” If weights are your preferred workout, Wes advises to start light in your weights and to not ‘go all in’ in the beginning.
Social media has been a useful tool for Wes and his exercise. He says one can use social media to search for exercise videos of other people with disabilities. See how they accomplish certain movements, and maybe implement them into your own workout.
Check out Wes’s original post.
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