Independent Living | 20 Comments |
Fitness & Exercise
Fitness is important, whatever your age or physical ability. The good news is that you can always improve muscle strength and fitness, whenever you start.
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 dementia to coronary heart disease, regular physical activity is a simple way to make life healthier and more enjoyable…
A fitness tracker can help motivate you to move about more, as it provides an easy way to keep tabs on your daily activity.
Fitbit, Apple Watch and Android Wear can be worn all the time, and have various accessibility features built-in to make them more usable for people with disabilities. Apple is perhaps the most accessible, with the VoiceOver feature for blind users; zoom and greyscale screen options helping people with various visual impairments; and activity and work-out monitors calibrated for wheelchair users.
Chair-based fitness options
Upper body work-outs are a good way to improve and stabilise posture, build strength in the shoulders and chest. There are various chair-based fitness programmes available, for all ability levels.
An automatic or passive exerciser is also a good choice for wheelchair users and people who spend a lot of time sitting down, for whatever reason.
Three hours a day of passive exercise is the equivalent of walking for an hour. The movement of the machine massages your legs, stimulating the circulation naturally and facilitating physical exercise.
The assisted movement forces the foot to perform a flexion-extension exercise, which improves circulation in the whole body. This has a beneficial effect on cardio health, helps prevent vascular diseases such as varicose veins and thrombosis, and can eliminate swollen legs and ankles.
Thanks to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), and subsequently the Equality Act 2010, sport and exercise venues are gradually becoming more inclusive and accessible.
The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) was set up in order to:
• enable disabled people to access inclusive fitness equipment in 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, elderly 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 equality legislation.
Nevertheless, people with a disability are twice as likely as others not to exercise, and an overwhelming majority of fitness professionals don’t think they are properly trained to work with disabled clients – so there is clearly still a long way to go.
And if you’re not a gym bunny…
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. If you choose walking as your regular exercise, it needn’t cost a penny.
How about dance? Dancing has been shown to have a beneficial effect on fitness, mood, and cognitive abilities. Thanks to Strictly Come Dancing, all sorts of dance are really popular, so you are almost bound to find a class that suits you. As well as salsa, tap and line dancing, you are increasingly likely to find adult/senior ballet classes at your local dance studio.
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20 Replies to “Fitness & Exercise”
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Exercise is most effective when it supports everyday movement, balance, and long-term independence rather than focusing only on intensity. The discussion around staying active at every age is especially important as sustainable fitness habits can improve both physical and mental well-being.
Great tips on keeping workouts interesting! I’ve tried bouncing exercises before, and they’re surprisingly effective for cardio and full-body fitness.
Enjoyed every bit of your article post. Really thank you! Cool.
This is a really encouraging reminder that fitness can be adapted for everyone, regardless of age or ability. I especially like the focus on enjoyment and inclusive options, as that’s what helps people stay active long term.
Consistency matters more than intensity when it comes to fitness small, regular movement can improve strength, balance, and confidence over time. When exercise is paired with supportive health tools, progress often feels more sustainable.
Enjoyed every bit of your article post. Really thank you! Cool.
Fitness can truly be empowering at any stage of life, and pairing it with smart food choices makes the impact even greater. A guide on understanding the glycaemic index is a great resource to support healthier eating habits alongside physical activity. Small changes in movement and meals can go a long way for overall well-being.
Great article! Staying active really does boost independence and overall health. I also found helpful fitness tips on Shemed that support my routine.
Great insights on keeping active as we age! Staying consistent with gentle movement really helps with overall well-being. I also found useful health tips on Shemed that support women’s fitness and care.
Really useful post! It’s great to see fitness becoming more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
Fitness and exercise are essential for maintaining independence and improving overall well-being. For tips on combining fitness with a healthy lifestyle, check out resources like SheMed, which offers insightful guidance.
Fitness is important at every age and for all abilities. The best part is—it’s never too late to start! No matter where you begin, you can always build strength and improve your fitness. Every small step counts toward a healthier, stronger you. Keep moving and believe in your progress!
Fitness is essential for everyone, regardless of age or physical ability. Staying active supports not just physical health but also mental well-being, boosting energy, mood, and confidence. Whether you’re young or older, a beginner or experienced, movement matters. It’s not about achieving perfection—it’s about showing up for your body and adapting activities to fit your needs and abilities. From daily walks to strength training or gentle stretching, every effort counts. Embracing fitness at any stage of life promotes independence, resilience, and a higher quality of life. It’s never too early—or too late—to make your health a priority. Keep moving!
Great post! Fitness is definitely for everyone, and it’s great to see how accessible options are becoming more widespread. For more ideas and tips on staying active, check out Shemed!
“Yasss to this! Fitness is for everyone—no matter your age, ability, or situation. From wheelchair pull-ups to dance classes, this blog proves that movement has no limits ? Love how it highlights accessibility, representation, and the power of choice in workouts. Real queens don’t wait for perfect conditions—they move anyway. Shazady energy all the way! #FitnessForAll #StrongAtEveryLevel”
Fitness is important for everyone, no matter their abilities. It’s great to see tools like chair-based exercisers and accessible fitness trackers making it easier for people to stay active. Stories like Tharra’s and Frances-Mary’s show how personalized solutions and support can make a big difference. Together, we can help everyone enjoy the benefits of a healthier, more active life.
Chair-based fitness options like the HappyLegs passive exerciser offer fantastic solutions for individuals who are wheelchair users or spend significant time sitting. These tools provide valuable benefits, such as improving circulation, reducing the risk of vascular diseases, and promoting overall cardio health. It’s great to see that the fitness industry is becoming more inclusive due to regulations like the Disability Discrimination Act and the Equality Act 2010, allowing more people to engage in fitness programs tailored to their needs. Chair-based exercises are effective for building strength and maintaining health, making fitness accessible to everyone, regardless of ability level.
I have a benign tumour on my left leg. I find it very helpful to do ten minutes of exercise each day in order to be healthy and sane too. Usually I go for a walk at a local park as well and in the past I have also researched exercise DVDs and cheap exercise balls online. You can even find so many different cheap stuff online etc. Try looking at a few low cost recommended fitness books at your local bookshop and in the library in addition.
I have Sacroiliiac Joint Dysfunction, and a problem with my right shoulder. I purchased an above ground swimming-pool last year to help with my Rehab, which is still in action, even though I can’t use it because I am recovering from a major operation. Unfortunately, my husband and I have been asked to leave the bungalow because the owner wants to sell up. We have heard about another bungalow which might be suitable, but the owner won’t let us erect the pool in the back garden, for unknown reasons. My questions are these:
1. Can I claim that the pool is related to my leg disability, as an outside Auxiliary Aid, and consent for it in the back garden should not be unreasonably withheld?
2. I also have a Jacuzzi bath. This is also related to my leg disability and it is an essential requirement to my needs. Again, am I right in thinking that consent should not be unreasonably withheld, and this would count as an Auxiliary Aid?
3. Can I get a Disabled Facilities Grant for one or both of them, to have them ‘fitted’? I claim both parts of PIP, so one would think I would be able to.
4. Is the Owner allowed to refuse these requests when they are related to my leg disability and required for my Rehab.?
In addition, my husband and I both suffer from Autism – I am fully on the Autism Spectrum, and my husband is half on, half off it. The prospect of having to move from the bungalow we’re in because the owner doesn’t want sitting tenants is very stressful and upsetting, particularly when I’m recovering from the operation, and need extra time to do this. This aspect has been supported by a GP and specialist’s letter.
I hope someone will be able to advise me on this. Many thanks in advance.
Hello Frances-Mary
Landlords are required to make reasonable adjustments, according to the Equality Act. You could try asking why they don’t want you to erect your pool in the garden, and see what the reasons are.
If installing your Jacuzzi involves replacing existing bathroom arrangements, and the landlord would then need to put everything back when you move, I don’t think that would necessarily be considered reasonable.
To apply for a DFG, you would need the landlord’s permission – but it shouldn’t be unreasonably withheld. The council would then decide what alterations were necessary in order for you to live independently in the bungalow, and whether it was reasonable and practical to carry them out. The grants are means tested: there is more information on this page https://www.independentliving.co.uk/advice/disabled-facilities-grants/
I am not an expert on housing law – it would be sensible to get some more advice about your situation. Shelter is good on anything related to housing and your local Citizens Advice may also be of help.
Best wishes,
Frances