When you have restricted mobility, either due to aging or because of an accident, life can often feel frustrating. It can be difficult to do things from tying your shoes to making dinner, so it’s likely that exercise is low on your list of priorities. However, exercise can be good for you in many ways, and your doctor is likely to recommend you still get some activity into your schedule, so how do you do this when you have restricted mobility?
Go to a chair workout group
Even if you can’t stand for long periods, you can still enjoy seated exercises, and chair workouts are becoming popular among the elderly and those who are gently getting back into exercise. Many areas have guided groups, which can be helpful if you’re unsure what to do or worried about injury, but if there’s no group nearby, you can find suggestions for chair exercises online.
Start small and work your way up
Like many things in life, if you aren’t used to exercise, it’s best to start small and gradually do more and more. For example, you could go for short walks with a buddy and take along a mobility device like the Zoomer Chair, so you have something to help you along the way if you need to stop. Pushing yourself too hard is likely to put you off exercise in the long run, so take things easy at first.
Find low impact exercises
Low impact exercises don’t put as much strain on your joints, so if you have an injury or other issues, then you could try exercises such as:
- Rowing
- Cycling
- Yoga
- Swimming
- Zumba and some other dance classes
- Elliptical machines
These exercises are also easier to adapt, so even if you’re a complete beginner, you can do them, while if you’re fit, you can adjust the level to your ability.
Join in with others
Exercise alone and it’s easy to feel demotivated or make excuses. Exercise with a group and you tend to push each other. Studies have shown it’s better to work out with others, so find some people who have a similar fitness level, or perhaps those who also have reduced mobility, and make a plan together. If you make arrangements with others, it’s harder to get out of them, and when you’re feeling down, it’s good to have understanding people to talk to.
Consider using a personal trainer
Personal trainers aren’t just for people who are rich and famous. They work with clients in all sorts of situations, from those who haven’t exercised in years, to those with injuries and things that are holding them back. If you aren’t sure what kind of exercise will suit you, or don’t feel very confident that you’re exercising properly, then a few sessions with a personal trainer may help.
Exercise is a great way to stay in shape and can be good for your mental health. That’s why it’s important to keep it up, unless specifically told otherwise by a doctor, and even those who aren’t 100% mobile can get some active time each week.