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Suppliers of specialist equipment:
Amcro Technology (passive exerciser)
JCM Seating adapted trikes and bikes
Lifemax stepper
and pedometer
Logic Engineering (adapted bicycles and trikes)
London Recumbents (bicycles)
Musmate Walking Aid
Team Hybrid (wheelchair-compatible hand-cycles)
The
Musmate walking aid (left) enables anyone who suffers from foot drop or
dragging to walk in a more natural way, so that they can travel further
and enjoy improved fitness as well as independent mobility.
Ability UK, a not-for-profit organisation, has structured inclusive fitness programmes, including "Exercise on Prescription" and "Rehabilitation through Leisure Activity" - both designed to help healthcare professionals assist their patients towards rehabilitation and better quality of life.
Fitness is important, whatever your age or physical ability.
Now's the time to pick an activity you enjoy (so you'll keep at it!) and see just how much better you can feel.
Whether it's improving your mood and energy levels, or staving off illnesses from alzheimer's to coronary heart disease, regular physical activity is a simple way to make life healthier and more enjoyable...
A
pedometer can help motivate you to move about more, as it provides an
easy way to keep track of your daily activity. The model shown on the
left is a talking pedometer designed for the visually impaired.
Upper body work-outs are a good way to improve and stabilise posture, build strength in the shoulders and chest. The Handytrim (right) is a small and elegant exercise device which is ideal for anyone who spends a lot of time sitting down. It is very easily portable and can be used at home, in the car or office.
Thanks to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), sport and exercise venues are gradually becoming more inclusive and accessible. The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) was set up last year as a pilot to:
• enable disabled people to access inclusive fitness equipment in up to a maximum of 30 public sector facilities
• appropriately train a body of disabled and non-disabled fitness staff within these public sector facilities, to maximise the benefits to disabled people of using fitness equipment
• pro-actively promote and market the availability of inclusive fitness equipment for disabled people, the aged and people temporarily disabled
• raise the profile and value of sport, health and fitness amongst disabled people and particularly non-active disabled people
• further promote the pathways for disabled people to subsequently access and progress into existing or new sporting and leisure activities.
Largely financed by Lottery funds, the IFI aims to establish good practice for accessibility in accordance with the DDA.
You can find more information about accessible fitness here.
Don't just think about going to the gym. Swimming is great exercise that's kind to joints. Walking and cycling are effective and enjoyable. How about dance? If you're lucky you might even find classical ballet for grannies at your local dance studio (there's a great one at Eastbourne, if you're near enough to go). If you're self-motivated, wheelchair-based exercise programmes are now available.
Ability UK
British Cycling Federation
British
Wheelchair Sports Foundation
Ramblers Association
