Maintaining a regular fitness routine can be difficult, but you might face additional challenges based on your age and level of disability. As you age, it’s common to develop health conditions that might limit your mobility or affect your ability to engage in traditional forms of exercise.
The good news is there are many ways to remain physically active, regardless of your degree of disability. Fitness classes designed for accessibility, special equipment or technology, and easy access to workout spaces can allow you to continue participating in the activities you enjoy. Consider these options to help you stay active.
- Take a Fitness Class
Group fitness classes are a great way to stay active. In addition to traditional spin, dance, and aerobics classes, many gyms offer accessible options, such as water aerobics and chair yoga, making it easier for you to participate. You might think that you must have extreme flexibility to practice yoga, but the reality is that virtually anyone can benefit from this form of fitness.
Several varieties of yoga designed to accommodate disabilities, such as slow, restorative, and chair yoga, allow you to build strength and flexibility, alleviate pain, and improve your mental and emotional wellbeing. Consider investing in yoga blocks, bolsters, or chairs, which can reduce difficulty when practicing variations of fundamental poses.
- Join a Sports Team
Recreational sports are a great way to stay active while fostering healthy social relationships. Depending on your physical disability, you may be able to participate in a wide variety of adaptive sports activities, including:
- Golf
- Sitting volleyball
- Tennis
- Softball
- Wheelchair basketball
With the help of special equipment, you could enjoy sports that might have been previously inaccessible to you.
- Hit the Gym
According to experts, access to a fitness gym can offer many essential benefits, such as professional machinery and equipment, wide open spaces, and a swimming pool, which can add value to your fitness routine when managing a disability. If you require skilled care for your disability or other medical condition, look for a nursing facility with a gym, swimming pool, or wide outdoor spaces.
Finding the best option when searching for an assisted living facility can be challenging, but you can often read helpful reviews and reports online. Look for information about the prices, payment methods, and available amenities to compare your options and find a facility that meets your needs.
- Use a Fitness App
There is no shortage of fitness apps available that offer guided workouts, step counters, and daily reminders. In addition, many apps are compatible with fitness bands, smart scales, and other devices that can help you take charge of your exercise goals and structure a routine based on your needs and abilities.
Look for apps that work well with activities you enjoy and offer features that add value to your routine. For example, step counters and route mappers with a social component allow you to record and share your progress with a community, and fitness apps with daily reminders can keep you on track.
Staying active is essential for your overall physical, mental, and emotional health, but having a disability can make it difficult to establish a consistent routine. Look for ways to incorporate fitness into your daily life by thinking outside the box, investing in assistive technology, and choosing an assisted living facility that offers ample opportunities for exercise.
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