| SPORTS ROUNDUP
By Tom Scott
You may be planning to participate in a variety of outdoor activities and recreational sports this summer. But are your body and mind ready? Being in the best physical shape possible will not only help you stay active, but improve your self-esteem and confidence.
One good word of advice—don’t let your ego get the best of you. If you are living with a disability, it’s important to take a cautious approach to being active and it starts with healthy living and plenty of exercise.
According to Suzanne Gaddis, Sr. Certified Personal Trainer at HOPE Fitness, (www.hopefitness.com) an organization that brings fun and challenging opportunities in exercise to youths and adults with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities, a little exercise each week is the key to enjoying adaptive sports for years to come.
“No exercise for one week makes one weak!” Gaddis says.
On our journey down the road to good health and fitness most of us probably at some time or another end up in a gym or fitness center. Gyms are full of determined individuals pushing themselves to improve their health and fitness levels. This isn’t a bad thing. But all the determination in the world does not make up for the lack of common sense that some people exhibit when they get serious about getting in shape.
One mistake that many people make when they start exercising regularly––whether it’s lifting weights, circuit training, or performing cardio––is focusing on what everyone else in the room is doing; bad idea. Naturally, when you notice others at the gym working out with a lot more intensity, it’s easy to feel a bit disheartened.
The best course of action you can take, however, is to focus on yourself. Don’t try to duplicate what others are doing. It can lead to a variety of injuries, and make pre-existing symptoms worse. If you are going to take your health and fitness seriously, it’s crucial to listen to what your body is telling you––not anyone else, except your doctor. SCI/D affects individuals differently. Your symptoms may include weakness, spasms, imbalance, fatigue, spasticity, heat sensitivity, and breathing difficulty. So before entering the gym or starting a fitness routine, there is a short list of things you should do. It’s not rocket science.
- Seek the advice of a doctor, physical therapist, and nutritionist. Let them know what your goals are and what you’d like to accomplish, whether it be shedding pounds, getting stronger, or just maintaining good cardiovascular health.
- Diet and Sleep. Without a proper diet, eating healthy foods, and getting a sufficient amount of rest each night, you’ll be exercising your way head on into a brick wall. You can’t give 110% at the gym if you’re running on empty.
- Hire a certified fitness instructor. Not necessarily a person you’ll rely on for years, but maybe for a few months––someone who can give you a basic understanding of muscle groups, exercises/routines, proper form, and basic gym etiquette. They also should have experience working with individuals with disabilities.
- Don’t underestimate the importance of stretching, warming up, and cooling down. These actions will help ensure that you avoid injuring yourself. Just remember too much stretching can be bad, so consult your physical therapist.
- Take it slow and don’t overdo it! Exercising is all about trial and error. Sometimes our bodies refuse to respond if we constantly put it through the same boring motions. It happens to everyone. Keep your workout routines fresh, try new exercises every few weeks, and have fun. Your goal should be long-term.
These few tips will help keep your workouts enjoyable, injury-free, and provide you with an excellent foundation for future success at the gym. Good Luck!
Tom Scott is staff editor.
Adaptive Fitness Program–Quick Picks
New York City/Long Island
HOPE Fitness, www.hopefitness.com, 1-877-396-HOPE
Florida
Brooks Rehabilitation, www.brookshealth.org, Adaptive Fitness program, contact Julie Schafer, 904-854-2088
California
Bakersfield College, www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu, Adaptive Fitness Instructor: Kathy Moretti, 661-395-4390
Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program, www.borp.org, 510-849-4663
Nationwide Resources & Listings
The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, www.ncpad.org, 800-900-8086
Disaboom, www.disaboom.com/adaptive-fitness
