Exercise For Everyone

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Exercise For Everyone

Exercise For The Disabled

Article by: Laura Winston via livestrong.com

Man Doing Tai-Chi

Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images

Disabled people have limited mobility, so exercise is vital to keep the blood flowing, improve circulation and to allow them to remain as healthy as possible.There are various exercises that disabled people can do to keep them as active as they possibly can be. Disabled people who exercise are less likely to be admitted to hospital as a result of illness, according to a report written by Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association.

Resistance Bands

Disabled people can use resistance bands to work out. People who are confined to a wheelchair can especially benefit from working out with resistance bands. All you have to do is tie one side of the band to a door handle or anything that will not move. Take the other end of the band, with your palms up, pull the band in your direction. Do this with the other hand as well. Repeat 10 times on each hand. Turn your palms down and do the same thing. This exercise is good for your triceps and biceps. You can work your shoulder muscles by using both hands to pull the band across your chest .

Free Weights

Free weights are a good way of keeping the body strong and toned. If you are disabled, it is possible to use free weights to tone the muscles and strengthen the bones. Begin with a relatively low weight, between 1 and 2 lb. After a while, you will need to increase the weight as your body becomes stronger. You can do bicep and tricep curls and side lifts, as well as various other free weight exercises. Do these exercises in sets of three with 10 to 12 repetitions. Do these weight exercises three times a week on alternate days.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a good form of exercise for disabled people, according to the fitness experts at Disabled Sports USA. Tai chi places emphasis on inner strength, which is ultimately believed to improve your health. You must always remember to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth; breathing is a vital element of tai chi. A recommended tai chi exercise for the disabled is an exercise called Push Up Sky/Press Down on Earth. This exercise is supposed to tone and tighten your arms as well as tone your abdominal muscles. Put your hands on your thighs. Bring your right arm up with your palm up. Then push down using your left hand. Remember to breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Do the same thing, but the other way round. Relax and breathe. Do this 18 times.

Considerations

Before you undergo any kind of exercise regime, consult your doctor. Be very careful when exercising, take your time and breathe slowly, in through the nose and out through the mouth. Never rush when you are exercising, as you could risk getting injured.