Senior Housing Connection

Excellent Exercises to Try in Your Wheelchair

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Senor living facilities can offer many benefits to seniors, including those who use a wheelchair. These senior communities provide many amenities and services, including health and wellness programs to help residents stay in good shape. If you use a wheelchair, then you can still benefit from these types of amenities. Consider trying the following exercises if you want to stay in shape while using a wheelchair:

Going Around the Campus

Cardiovascular exercise is important because it gets your heartrate up, which helps you burn calories. You might not be able to do some of the typical cardiovascular exercises, but that doesn’t mean you have to avoid these types of workouts. Just like walking and jogging can be great exercises, taking your wheelchair around the campus can get your heartrate pumping—making it an excellent cardiovascular workout. You can stroll around your senior living campus at a pace that you find comfortable.

Wheelchair Sports

Did you enjoy playing sports before you started using a wheelchair? If so, it is a good idea to consider wheelchair sports. From basketball to tennis to soccer, there are many different wheelchair sports associations that are open to players of all ages and skill levels. You don’t have to join a club—you can find neighbors in your senior community who are interested in playing wheelchair sports and put together your own league of senior athletes.

Strength Training

Building muscle is a great way to improve your health, boost your strength, and burn calories. If you use a wheelchair, you can focus on building strength in your upper body. Lifting weights is a great strength training exercise, and there are many different movements you can do from your chair. If you don’t have weights, you can use a medicine ball or items you find around your senior apartment. Make sure to check with your doctor and to stretch your arms before starting any strength training exercises.

Parkwood Heights Senior Living Community strives to provide a warm and inviting atmosphere for all our residents. Our senior living campus in Macedon, NY features many services and amenities that help our residents live happy and healthy lives. Get more information about our senior apartments by calling us at (315) 986-9100.