Limited Mobility? You Can Still Work Out
By Sara Butler
The health benefits of exercise aren't simply limited to those with full mobility. If you suffer from a disability, illness, body weight issue, or injury that limits your mobility, then there are still many ways you can reap the benefits regular exercise brings -- you simply need to be a bit more creative about it! Here are a few things you need to know about exercising with limited mobility and some tips to help you get started.
The Possibilities
The number one thing you must remember when it comes to exercise is that any type of movement has benefits to your health and wellness. Of course, mobility issues can make some types of exercise more challenging than others, but it doesn't mean you can't do the three main types of exercise in some form to benefit your health. These include:
- Strength training - This type of exercise involves using resistance to build bone mass and muscle and help prevent falls by improving balance and coordination. If your mobility is limited because of your legs, then you shift strength training focus to your upper body. But if you have something going on with your upper body that limits mobility, simply focus more on your core muscles and legs.
- Cardiovascular - These exercises raise your heart rate to help increase your endurance. The types of exercise included in this category are swimming, tennis, cycling, running, dancing, running, and water aerobics. Many people who have challenges with mobility exercise in water because it helps remove some of the stress and strain while supporting the body.
- Flexibility - Any exercise that enhances your range of motion is crucial to your overall health as it helps to reduce stiffness, pain, and injury. Yoga is a gentle stretching exercise that can be modified to suit your mobility needs.
How to Be Successful
Everyone needs to set themselves up for success when it comes to exercise, not simply those with limited mobility. But if you do have a mobility issue, then there are a few things you can do to help you achieve your exercise goals.
First, talk to your healthcare provider to see if there are any exercises they recommend specifically for you. Also, make sure to ask them:
- What type of exercise you should do
- What exercise to avoid
- How much exercise you should do each day and each week
- When to take your medications in regards to exercise
If you need help understanding what exercises are best for you, then talk to the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic today.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in St. Louis, Mo.