Exercise for disabled?

[natalie_christin 61]

natalie_christin, I see you are in San Antonio. I was fortunate that after my surgery, my surgeons office partnered with HealthLink. I got a 3 month membership at a good rate. I went to the one off of 281 and Bitters. They offer a personal trainer that IS NOT some young twenty-something that doesn't have a clue about health problems. I went there for few months because I wanted a personalized program for someone like me that has severe joint problems. I am very blessed in that I can work out in a pool and have a membership to a gym with an excellent pool. I went to HealthLink because they gave me a personalized program where I could work out on machines to build strength without any impact to my joints. I found the program they designed for me to be very effective. I hope you can afford to go there--they helped me and I hope they will be able to help you too. Kathleen

Hi Kathleen,

I actually used to go to that Healthlink there. I went in for physical therapy. Min was a very good therapist. Unfortunately, it was quite the distance for me to even go for physical therapy (I live at Highway 90 and Loop 1604 area) and the gym membership cost was quite expensive for me. Don't know if it's changed at all but I can always check it back out. I just wish my co-pays weren't so darn expensive. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for having insurance but when you're on a limited income, and you have a bunch of specialists, it doesn't leave much money for alternatives.

[natalie_christin 61]

Even if you cannot afford to go to or join a gym, if you are home and you have the time go to YouTube and do a random search you will find several video's for yoga and other low impact work out for MS and other disabilities. You can do them in the comfort and privacy of your own home with minimal assistance. Here was a link I found doing a quick search. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPr7lfgFZGA

Thank you Lisa :-) I looked online and found a few pages – I even found one for tai chi. I know it's supposed to be low impact. I never tried it before but if I could do it, it would be a great accomplishment. Again, thank U for your input.

[natalie_christin 61]

Natalie...I had both hips replaced and have chronic back pain along with arthritic knees. I take Water exercise classes at the Y. It's the best thing out there for folks who can't exercise in the traditional way. There is a disabled gentleman who is in a wheelchair that attends the classes. He told me he gets a price break from the Y because of his disability. If you have a Y near you, might I suggest you check that possibility out?

I'll have to look into that. I honestly don't know where one is here in San Antonio but I would assume they have one. It sounds like you've had your fair share of health issues as well. I hope that you're feeling better.

[Domika03 309]

Since you have a gym membership, how about something like swimming exercises? They're easier on your body, and yet give you a lot of options & some good exercising. I also agree with chair exercises. My dad used to have a video for that & they were gentle on the body but kept you moving.

[par1959 470]

In my support group this week our guest speaker was a highly qualified physical trainer. She taught us quite a few techniques that one can do with disabilities. To describe them in writing would be difficult. One of the big take a ways I came home with is at work set a timer and every 55 minute get up and walk or do something physical. If one does this they get their 40 minute of exercise in each day. She was also big on using the stretchy bands for building muscle. Many of the exercises she showed up one can do watching TV. The bottom line is you don’t have to use big weights or expensive equipment to benefit from exercise. If I were you, go find a highly qualified trainer and work with them a couple of day a week for 6 to 8 weeks. They work with your limitation and teach you how to exercise properly and have fun doing it.

[Kitt3000 757]

One thing I found helpful when I went to physical therapy, was to explain why I could not come as frequently as recommended . I asked if they would help outline a plan for the days I couldn't be there. They were so helpful! Even downloaded copies of exercises to remind me how to do it properly. Maybe this would work for you? So many therapist genuinely want to help you if you just let them know what you need. Once you have your routine down, you can increase repetitions. Go when you can, let them refine and add to your program. Really, you may find they actually enjoy someone who wants to give 100% to get better! You have the spirit and the attitude! You can do this.

[toomuchrose 47]

Natalie, I'm also partially disabled. I have severe arthritis in my back, lots of bone spurs and spinal stenosis.My sciatic nerve on the left is being pinched by the spurs. Seven years ago I had my right hip replaced and the surgeon crushed my sciatic nerve on that side during the operation, so I have trouble on both sides. I have had two knee replacements and so my legs aren't too bad now, but I can only stand for 2-3 minutes. In my apartment I use a walker, and when I go out, i use a wheelchair.

I'm 69 years old and people are always telling me to try Water aerobics, but I also have urinary incontinence issues and I'm afraid to go in a pool. I'm too embarrassed to explain to most people why I don't try the pool. But there are several indoor pools here and I know of one that has a chair lift for the disabled.

My son gave me a Fitbit and that's helped a lot. It's a wristband that tracks your activity and I keep track of how I'm doing daily. It does cost about $100, so I understand that may be a problem. I think for me, it's really recording arm motions and such, rather than real steps, but it still gives me an idea of whether I'm moving more or less. The greatest was when I recently went to a rock concert and wow! I moved my arms, pumped them up and down for hours and I showed lots of minutes in the very active range. So even if you could put on some music and chair dance, that's worthwhile. The Fitbit syncs with myfitnesspal.com and shows calories in and calories expended.

I've tried Sit and Be Fit, and i must admit I'm not good about keeping it up, but I think it gives you some cardio workout. A trainer came to do a demo at the senior building where I live recently and the workout she led had a lot of arm raises and movements that got me huffing and puffing and raised my heart rate.

[dawalsh 919]

Thank you for bringing that thread up. I am a miracle survivor of a massive stroke that left me paralyzed and speechless at first. Then with the miracle of an MRI it was found I had hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and after a series of several spinal taps they did surgery and I had a shunt inserted in the ventricles of my brain. After the surgery my speech came back and my paralysis partially disappeared. Anyway I walk with a cane but because of the surgery I've lost my equilibrium. So, I am limited on any kind of exercise. I lose my balance easily. I went to a yoga class and fell backwards immediately hit my head into a wall, etc. this was a class for people with physical limitations. I can only sit or lay down to do anything safely. I can't walk far I am unable to do most normal exercise. Any suggestions for me, it's preventing me from losing more weight. Any suggestions?

[Kitt3000 757]

After cardiac issues, my husband used a stationary pedal machine, looks like the pedals on a bike with resistance. His is called the monarch rehab, however, I have seen much cheaper models . It would be stationary peddling like A bike, done seated as well as can be placed on a table while you peddle with your arms. He said it was quite a cardiac workout, as well as muscle building with the resistance. Is it possible to use a recumbent bicycle? There are stores like play it again sporting goods, yard sales, craigslist, for good used equipment. After back surgery I have done many exercises laying on my back, as well as wrist & ankle weights, elastic bands. The hardest part is getting started. Start small, maybe three times or reps once or twice a day. My 80 year old father uses an old old stationary bike that the handle bars pull forward and back, it's rusted and pathetic looking but he won't trade it! Every day he does 15 minutes, his theory, if you stop moving someone's liable to cover you up with dirt!

[Miss Mac 6,261]

Here is how I rate some of the Exercise DVDs that I have:

Chair Boxing with David Stamps.....my favorite

Chair Salsa with David Stamps

Chair Tai Chi with David Stamps

Exercises for the Bedridden with David Stamps...

I have to say that all of David Stamps videos are worth the money. You do not need a Lunk Alarm.

They are do-able and can be easily modified to your needs. Any of David's workouts can be done sitting in a chair or laying on your bed.

Chair Aerobics Circuit Training Beach Party (1960's style surf music) with Ronit Amaya ....Fun enough and you can use light handweights.

Fun Resistance Bands with Sunshine Good for balance strength and flexibility.

Easy Sitting Pilates and Calesthenics with Sunshine

Sunshine also has another one that uses handweights, and most of the time she is sitting down.

Stonger Seniors Chair Exercise Program - Core Fitness with Anne Pringle Burnell

Stronger Seniors Stretch and Strength - Anne Pringle Burnell

Anne is easy to follow. I use her DVDs a lot and can follow along without messing up too much.

Walk at Home / Walk Your Belly Flat with Leslie Sansone. This can be throught the house or standing in place in front of the TV. It uses every muscle in the body to help torch calories. She breaks up the walk into three mile increments. I use this one on any morning that I wake up with energy.

Easy Yoga for Arthritis with Peggy Cappy A little hard for me to keep up because I am not very flexible.

I have one other that may be of interest to you after you can enough strength to stand up some...although I have done this one sitting down if I fizzled out but wanted to keep going. It is Joel Harper's Firming After 50. I use this one frequently when I want to do body weight resistance. He has an intermediate level that a 30ish woman does, and a beginner's level done by his mother. So, I try to keep up with her.

Mr. Gyms Couch Potato Workout....Boring Alert!

I, too, have multilpe orthopedic issues, spine surgery, and post-stroke imbalance. I do these workouts in the privacy and safety of home where my boundaries are familiar. I hope this information helps anyone who is in a similar predicament of immobility and chronic pain. I wish you good luck and good health.

[dawalsh 919]

After cardiac issues, my husband used a stationary pedal machine, looks like the pedals on a bike with resistance. His is called the monarch rehab, however, I have seen much cheaper models . It would be stationary peddling like A bike, done seated as well as can be placed on a table while you peddle with your arms. He said it was quite a cardiac workout, as well as muscle building with the resistance. Is it possible to use a recumbent bicycle? There are stores like play it again sporting goods, yard sales, craigslist, for good used equipment. After back surgery I have done many exercises laying on my back, as well as wrist & ankle weights, elastic bands. The hardest part is getting started. Start small, maybe three times or reps once or twice a day. My 80 year old father uses an old old stationary bike that the handle bars pull forward and back, it's rusted and pathetic looking but he won't trade it! Every day he does 15 minutes, his theory, if you stop moving someone's liable to cover you up with dirt!

I failed to mention my left arm and hand still have residual paralysis and spasticity so I am limited but pedaling my feet in a stationary position might work. I'd have to figure out my left arm and hand issue when it comes to pedaling my arms but I'm all for it. Thanks for your hep.

[Susysleever 265]

Most medicare supplement offer a silver sneakers plan. That could mean free gym membership.

[Susanomic 13]

YMCA is the best! Not only do they have fantastic Water workouts, but they will work with you if you can't afford their membership. You have to show your income but go and fill it out, put down what y can afford. They won't turn anyone away! They also have trainers there that won't break your bank, all kinds of yoga and group classes, etc.

[natalie_christin 61]

Natalie, I'm also partially disabled. I have severe arthritis in my back, lots of bone spurs and spinal stenosis.My sciatic nerve on the left is being pinched by the spurs. Seven years ago I had my right hip replaced and the surgeon crushed my sciatic nerve on that side during the operation, so I have trouble on both sides. I have had two knee replacements and so my legs aren't too bad now, but I can only stand for 2-3 minutes. In my apartment I use a walker, and when I go out, i use a wheelchair. I'm 69 years old and people are always telling me to try Water aerobics, but I also have urinary incontinence issues and I'm afraid to go in a pool. I'm too embarrassed to explain to most people why I don't try the pool. But there are several indoor pools here and I know of one that has a chair lift for the disabled. My son gave me a Fitbit and that's helped a lot. It's a wristband that tracks your activity and I keep track of how I'm doing daily. It does cost about $100, so I understand that may be a problem. I think for me, it's really recording arm motions and such, rather than real steps, but it still gives me an idea of whether I'm moving more or less. The greatest was when I recently went to a rock concert and wow! I moved my arms, pumped them up and down for hours and I showed lots of minutes in the very active range. So even if you could put on some music and chair dance, that's worthwhile. The Fitbit syncs with myfitnesspal.com and shows calories in and calories expended. I've tried Sit and Be Fit, and i must admit I'm not good about keeping it up, but I think it gives you some cardio workout. A trainer came to do a demo at the senior building where I live recently and the workout she led had a lot of arm raises and movements that got me huffing and puffing and raised my heart rate.

I am so sorry sweetie.. You have definitely been through it.. I hope that despite everything you're going through and the pain you are dealing with that you are doing okay. I couldn't imagine. My mom had a similar situation with her head – her hip actually disintegrated because of the medications the doctor pumped into it. She passed away at 38. I sometimes feel like I'm following her for footsteps. I know that nerve pain can be one of the worst. Good for you going to rock concert! Who was it?

I wouldn't mind trying to fit bit – unfortunately I'm on a fixed income so – I'm barely making it – if you want to call it making it LOL I'm month-to-month. I'd like to do physical therapy and have a trainer and all those things that everyone has suggested – I greatly appreciate everyone's suggestions. But, I'm just trying to do what I can do as I can do it.

Part of the problem I have is I have multiple disabilities and they're all over my body. My entire abdominal wall has nerve damage and endometriosis, PC OS and is very painful I also have the rheumatoid arthritis in my ribs, arms, legs, feet, knees, fingers, toes, I definitely my spine– they didn't catch it until was already in severe range. I'm hoping that once I get my rheumatoid/psoriatic arthritis meds backing me that I'll be able to move around a little bit more. I had an infection so I had to stop everything.

[natalie_christin 61]

Thank you for bringing that thread up. I am a miracle survivor of a massive stroke that left me paralyzed and speechless at first. Then with the miracle of an MRI it was found I had hydrocephalus (Water on the brain) and after a series of several spinal taps they did surgery and I had a shunt inserted in the ventricles of my brain. After the surgery my speech came back and my paralysis partially disappeared. Anyway I walk with a cane but because of the surgery I've lost my equilibrium. So, I am limited on any kind of exercise. I lose my balance easily. I went to a yoga class and fell backwards immediately hit my head into a wall, etc. this was a class for people with physical limitations. I can only sit or lay down to do anything safely. I can't walk far I am unable to do most normal exercise. Any suggestions for me, it's preventing me from losing more weight. Any suggestions?

Oh well sweetie – I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through. I've been in those classes two – where they're supposed to be especially for people that are disabled and – I don't think they really know what that is until they go through it personally.

If your equilibrium is off, what about chair exercises? I know that they've been mentioned here as well. I don't know where you're located but I believe that PBS has some classes on TV. I've been trying to record them so that I can go back and do them. I haven't been able to start yet but I'm working on it. My dad has really bad equilibrium two – we live together that way, I can keep an eye on him.

Just keep going – you can do it! :-)