BlindAlive.com

Accessible Fitness, more choices for more people

Fitness has always been a concern with regard to both mental and physical health regardless of age, gender, or any other variables that make each one of us unique. And for those in the blind community, fitness is every bit as much—if not more—important.

Exercise for the visually impaired is something that should be incorporated into a weekly, if not daily, routine for a variety of reasons that are both similar and different from people within the sighted community. For those with total loss of sight as well as for those who are low sighted, a lack of regular exercise can bring on a host of other issues, including weight gain, sluggishness, and perhaps worst of all for many, insomnia or a circadian rhythm that has been thrown completely off track.

A quality workout done at the right time of day and at the right pace to meet your unique physical and mental needs is just what the doctor may have forgotten to order. For many blind people, fitness has been a challenge: without someone to guide you and without the ability to drive yourself to the gym, it becomes obvious why so many visually impaired individuals give up—but with the BlindAlive line of Fitness Workouts for blind people, you’ll never have to depend on anyone else again.

Yoga and Strength Training with wieghts for blind people along with a variety of other cardiovascular exercises help our bodies stay toned, help us gain muscle mass and lose weight, but most of all, can help lead a blind person away from a sense of helplessness.

Are you ready to sweat? Come get healthy and leave all your notions of not being able to get fit due to your visual impairment behind with BlindAlive!

Goldilocks Revisited

April 01, 2018  /  Lisa Salinger

For the month of April, we are featuring the Stability Ball Workout on our main page. We are choosing to showcase a specific workout each month so we can better focus on and describe it’s many advantages. A stability ball workout provides both aerobic and strength training benefits, and it’s just plain fun. If you don’t already have it, you can purchase the workout on our website or through our Eyes-Free Fitness App for iOS. If you already have it, what are you waiting for? Maybe it’s time to get back on the ball.

In keeping with this theme, we’d like to revisit a post I wrote a few years ago on choosing the right size stability ball, which is just as relevant now as it was then.

One sunny day, Goldilocks decided it was time to get in shape. Actually, it was past time. After all, sitting in all those chairs, sampling all that porridge and lying in all those beds had some serious consequences.

Under cover of darkness, Goldilocks made her way out of her house, and to the local fitness store. It's sad but true -- some people never learn. If only she had gone during the day and asked a helpful salesperson, or if she had done a little research, she would have been much better off. Then again, if she had, you would not be reading this cautionary tale.

She went to the section where stability balls were already inflated and on display. It should come as no surprise that there were three sizes. Being a creature of habit, Goldilocks started with the largest ball.

"This ball is too big!" she screeched. It was too large for her to sit properly, with knees at hip level. Because she could not balance properly. In any case, she fell down, and broke her... Never mind, for that is an entirely different story.

Next, not willing to repeat her mistake, she tried a ball at the opposite end of the spectrum. This was only partially effective, for while she did not fall, she could hardly move. "This ball is too small! My knees are almost touching my ears, and it may take all the king's horses and all the king's men to get me back on my feet," she groaned.

At long last, she managed it, and cautiously made her way to the third ball. "This ball is just right!" She exclaimed in wonder. "This is exactly what I need."

We can only assume that Goldilocks got in shape using her new stability ball, but  we may never know for sure. For at that precise moment, two Papa-Bear-sized policemen showed up and took her for a little ride. However, this is only a fairy tale, so Happily Ever After is probably a safe assumption.

To live your healthily ever after in the real world, we suggest you consider the following when using or buying a stability ball.

If you already have a ball, and you're not sure what size it is, or if it is the right size for you, stand next to it. The top of the ball should come to your kneecap, or slightly above it. If you don't have a ball and you wish to buy one, BlindAlive recommends the ones sold here: BlindAlive Recommended Stability Ball on Amazon. There is not complete agreement on the exact height requirements for each ball size, but the following guidelines are generally used:

Under 5 feet: 45 CM

5 feet to five feet six: 55 CM

Five feet six to six feet: 65 CM

Six to six feet six: 75 CM.

Six feet six and over: 85 CM.

Please note: The stability ball recommended by BlindAlive comes in 55, 65, and 75 CM. If you need the 45 or 85 CM options, there are plenty of other stability balls that come in these sizes. The ball we recommend comes in a variety of colors. These colors are for cosmetic purposes only, and will not affect your use of the stability ball.

Finally, many people who are overweight express concerns that they will not be able to use a stability ball. In fact, while this type of workout is well-suited to all types of people, it is ideal for those who are overweight. Be sure to check the weight limit on the ball you wish to purchase.

If you have any questions about the Stability Ball Workout, or about finding the ball that's just right for you, please contact us from the BlindAlive Contact Us Page and we'll be happy to help.

 

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