February 27, 2019 at 12:46PM by CWC
Here’s a stat: Nearly 26 percent of disabled people say they’re physically inactive during the week (compared to 13 percent of able-bodied people). This is a BFD, considering that exercise is such an important part of overall health and well-being. Yet disabled people face significant barriers to regular activity, including limited gyms and clubs with fully-accessible facilities, financial constraints, and not being able to find trainers or instructors who know how to serve their needs.
To combat this issue, one CrossFit gym in Orlando, Florida, is taking action to help people in wheelchairs be more included in its community. The gym partnered with Orlando Health, a network of not-for-profit healthcare facilities, to create a workout routine adaptive for people in wheelchairs so they can work out alongside other CrossFitters with ease.
According to a press release from Orlando Health, the new routine is designed specifically for wheelchair-bound patients recovering from spinal cord injuries. The organization says it was eager to partner with CrossFit because they see first-hand how important fitness is to recovery, and felt it was a way to further help their patients.
“After a spinal cord injury, it is crucial that patients build their strength to be able to perform daily tasks like pushing their wheelchair and transferring in and out of their chair,” says Shreya Bhola, a rep for Orlando Health. “These modified workouts are focused on upper body and core exercises that help patients get more independent while also preventing long-term health issues such as diabetes and heart disease.” The group will also be working with coaches at the gym to train them on the particular needs of people who use wheelchairs.
The program is currently underway at just the one Crossfit facility in Orlando, and is specifically catering to one type of physical disability. But hopefully, this model could help other gyms and clubs re-assess the needs of disabled and adaptive athletes, and better serve them in the future—because everyone should feel included in the fitness community. Other fitness instructors, take note!
Here’s what to know about CrossFit before you go and how to know if it’s right for you.
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Author Emily Laurence | Well and Good
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