It's been a few weeks now since I started doing a bit of exercise. I bought a 30 minute workout DVD that I've done for several days. Now that I can anticipate every movement, it's gotten a bit boring. I went on line to find stuff but YouTube had only three or four postings that were appropriate or adaptable for someone in a wheelchair. So, I went on a search for arm and shoulder exercises and made a list of them. Lateral raises, bicep and hammer curls, W to V were all moves on the list.
Once I had a variety of movements, way more than the DVD and way, way more than any of the short YouTube clips, I decided to design a routine for arms and shoulders. I tried it and it was a tough workout that lasted for about twenty minutes, not counting the warm up or cool down. It was tough, but fun. It had lots of variety and seemed to be doing what I wanted it to do.
So for a couple of days I sat at the computer with the print out up against the monitor and I took my weights and followed the paper. Double dull and really hard to focus on where I was and count lifts and crunches. So ... tee hee ... I made myself an exercise video using my webcam. What the hell, no one is ever going to see it, why not?
Now I've got an instructor who, unlike my wheelchair workout teacher, is actually disabled. He needs to exercise and isn't flashing his perfect trim body at every opportunity. He has a sense of humour. He seems to know exactly when to give encouragement and exactly which exercise I have the most difficulty with. He knows that my goal is to be able to push myself further and require assistance less often. He doesn't go on about sexy waists or toned arms - he's all about independent movement. And what's cool, he looks, surprisingly, a lot like me, I've never had that before.
Gotta love the computer. If you need something with a bit of research, with a bit of work, you can create resources that don't seem to exist.
Here's to my new video - Wheelchair Workout for Wusses and Wankers - featuring the 'gay stretch' ... you won't find that move on the net anywhere and you'll have to pay me a lot of money to find out exactly what it is ... and it's not what you're thinking so stop it!
Woohoo! I have GOT to get me a copy of that video!! All kidding aside, though, I applaud your resourcefulness. I have searched for a while now, in vain, for something similar. It never occured to me to just make one. Perhaps I'll have to try that. Unless, of course, you'll be putting copies of yours on the market?? ;p
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the cheesy disco soundtrack!
ReplyDeleteBrenda, I will absolutely never put it on the market! It's a 'just for me' project that was fun to do. But know what you want to acheive, take a look at what's out there. I looked at videos searching 'standing arm exercises' and 'standing shoulder exercises' and such for a while. Many of the standing exercises can be adapted for those who sit. If you like I can send you three or four youtube clips that I took moves from. One is particularly good - a standing pilates one that runs for ten minutes and all of the exercises were adaptable to wheelchair users. Email me if you want those references.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Dave! It's great you're exercising. I hate all exercise. It is all boring. And those video exercise people make almost all of us feel inadequate!!!
ReplyDeleteI walk with my neighbor as many mornings as I can, and if it weren't for the chat time that would be boring too ... :-) and I'm off to meet her about now ... Have a great week!
Oh, I would be falling about laughing at an exercise video of me, but perhaps laughter could be a good ab workout? :)
ReplyDeleteI applaud your resourcefulness! Yay, I'm cheering you on.
Dave, I misread the post at first and thought you had put up the video. I was dying to see it, sounds like so much fun :) I wouldn't ever put up such a video of myself, either, but I'm glad you told us about it--it's both of practical use and brightened my day!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE this idea Dave...and I love the idea of adding a cheesy disco soundtrack.
ReplyDeleteHow 'bout apple pie. Belinda's apple pie.
ReplyDeleteWould that work?
An idea for exercise for people in wheelchairs: In one of the national parks near my house there is a lovely flat trail (mostly shady too!) for "walkers and bicycles". I go there a lot, and in the early morning it is FULL with all sorts of people...thin, young, overweight, old, runners, skaters, parents with kids....and including always several diabled people in special low-lying bicycles operated by hand rather than feet. This idea may not fit everyone, but for those who do, it might be worth checking out.
ReplyDeleteIf you find yourself wanting more, go to youtube and look for 'chair yoga' and 'wheelchair yoga'. It might add a little more variety!
ReplyDelete~Kali