| If you're spending any time in a wheelchair you're not | | | | You want to go no wider than your shoulders. |
| likely to be getting the exercise you need. No matter | | | | Find some dumbbells or other weights that weigh less |
| what type of disability you may have we all know | | | | than five pounds. Use three pounds or so to start. If |
| that we need exercise to release hormones like | | | | that's too light you can add more weight. Something |
| endorphins to help boost our immune systems. One | | | | that feels comfortable. If you don't have dumbbells |
| reason to exercise that you don't hear about often | | | | or hand weights then you can use cans of food or |
| and has been recently reported by brain doctors and | | | | anything else that you have two of that weighs the |
| other brain experts is that exercise gets the blood | | | | same. |
| circulating to the brain and helps prevent dementia | | | | Then hold the weights in your hands down at your |
| and possibly other brain or neurological diseases. This | | | | sides. Make sure your palms face the side of your |
| is all the more reason to get started today on a | | | | body. One at a time bring your hand up and turn it so |
| fitness program. | | | | your palm is facing your chest. Hold this for a second |
| Starting out on an exercise program can seem | | | | or two. Then slower lower your arm down to your |
| overwhelming. There are many exercises you can do | | | | sides. Then do this again with the other arm. Do 12 |
| that involve both resistance training and strength | | | | repetitions with each arm. This is called one set. Do 3 |
| training. | | | | sets but start out the first day only doing one set |
| I'm focusing on just one easy exercise here so you | | | | and then slowly add the other sets in the next few |
| can start out slowly. You can easily get more | | | | days if it feels good. Make sure to rest a minute or |
| exercises after you give this a try for a few days | | | | so between sets. |
| and see how you do. Make sure to check with your | | | | There are many easy exercises you can do whether |
| doctor first before you start any new exercise | | | | you're disabled or not. But starting with one won't |
| program, workout or fitness routine. | | | | seem so overwhelming. You want to make sure to |
| An easy wheelchair exercise - the biceps curl: | | | | exercise every day. You want to get the circulation |
| Sit in a chair that has good back support and | | | | moving in a workout so you keep your mind sharp |
| preferably with no arms. You can also do this in your | | | | and your body as fit as it can be. Add other |
| wheelchair but may not be quite as easy depending | | | | exercises as soon as possible. There are many good |
| on the kind of chair you have. Put your feet on the | | | | wheelchair exercise DVDs and fitness DVDs for |
| floor. Make sure to keep them flat and not too wide. | | | | people in wheelchairs that can help you too. |