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!
Getting and staying fit in your own home is easy. Home fitness is all the rage these days with hundreds of different exercise workouts for sale in athletic stores and online. Working out in your own space has many benefits and is certainly less stressful for many of us. My home fitness area is my favorite place in my house other than under my warm covers.
Read MoreIf you are new to strength training, you might not be sure what weights would be useful for a beginner. The weight set we recommend is a good place to start for women, although men may want to invest in a heavier set. We like this set because it is economical, both in cost, and in the space required to store it.
There are two parts to this set -- the stand and the weights. The stand is light gray plastic, and needs to be assembled with small Phillips screws, which are included. It is not necessary that you store the weights in the provided stand, but it may make it easier to organize and locate them.
The weights are neoprene coated, which means the finish has a rubbery feel. This makes them somewhat easier to grip and a bit less prone to rolling away when placed on a flat surface. There are three pairs of weights. The largest pair is five pounds each, and stores conveniently in the lowest part of the stand. The three and two pound pairs are each smaller and shorter than the heavier sets. When all the weights are stored in the stand, the shape is somewhat like a pyramid that is roughly ten inches wide, ten inches deep, and ten inches high.
I find identification of the weights to be simple with no sight. The size, length, and of course, the actual weight provides several cues. If you have some usable sight, each pair of weights is a different color. The five pound weights are purple, three pounds are green, and the two pound weights are pink. Additionally the weight, in pounds is printed on the end of each one in large white numbers.
Click Here to Buy the BlindAlive Recommended Weight Set
If you have additional comments or questions about the weights, we would love to hear from you.
Almost exactly one year ago, I am not sure the exact time and day, I was riding my stationary bike. It was one of those days I was really feeling down, and I knew that I needed to exercise to keep away the depression that chases me. I remember wishing that I had a new workout to do, something fun and different. I really wanted that cool workout that promised the world in 30 minutes a day. I was tempted to go into pity-party mode but that never works, so I changed my thoughts. Reframing thoughts is a valuable skill I learned several years ago. It takes discipline to do, but I have gotten pretty good at it.
Early in 2013 I became aware of a whole new world, the “interwebs” as my sons call it. My friend VaShaun Jones, introduced me to it all…blogging, podcasting, and website development. Suddenly there on my bike my mind opened to another new possibility. When I had the thought, “I wish I had a new workout”, instead of getting pissed off because they are not accessible to me, I said to myself, “I will create them!” As the thought paraded into my consciousness, my heart began to pound and a chill ran through me. I knew in an instant that the words I had just said in my mind were the truth, “I will create them.” It was a fact, that would come to be. I kept peddling but I was lost in a new vision, a new future for myself and blind people everywhere. It even occurred to me that I could create exercise programs that sighted people would like too. I peddled and let my mind flow with all the huge ideas. There was no stopping the rush, and I let it take me.
It is a year later and I have never stopped peddling. The statement, “I will create them” has become part of my whole self. This year has been a whirlwind! I am a year older. BlindAlive, LLC exists. I have a team, six workouts with more in process, a website, and an Amazon store. I even have a lawyer, accountant, bookkeeper, and an administrative assistant. This is mind blowing to me. This is me! I did this. I had lots of help but I powered it.
I am proud, grateful, and now excitedly terrified. What have I done? Now I have responsibilities that are not so easy to run away from when I go into fear or impatience. It scares me, but mostly I feel empowered as I “create them.” I will create as much as I can. I want to peddle straight into that fear. Now responsibility, and joy flood into me whenever I get an e-mail that says, “This is exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you for doing this.” In that moment, I am sitting in a sea of gratitude and wonder.
What I have done, you can do also. Just take charge of your thoughts. Redirect your pity-party. Reframe it and make a new statement. Chances are that others will want what you are wanting for yourself. Even ask for help. Asking for help has been the hardest part and still is, but I have and I will keep asking. You can too.
Where will we be next year? Well, what do you want to create for yourself? Do it!
Mel Scott BlindAlive, LLC Founder and President BlindAlive.com Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
My Dad used to say, “I’m just going to tell you like it is.” Of course, his view was from the reference point of someone born in 1910 but he was always straight forward and honest. He was a kind and generous man even though his words were hard to hear at times.
I am going to step outside my comfort zone and “tell you like it is” in relation to getting strong. I believe 9 times out of 10 that people can choose to get more fit than they are currently. It is simply a matter of saying to yourself, “My health is absolutely, without a doubt, the most important part of my day.” It is impossible to serve others with your whole self if you are functioning at low energy yourself. Over the long term, you are not doing anybody in favors by putting yourself aside.
Here is your excuse-free, equipment-free, eyes-free fitness plan! I am telling you exactly “how it is”.
Start your day with a big glass of water. If you say, “I hate water” or “Drinking water first thing in the morning makes me ill”, then I say, Do it anyway and you will learn to love it. Our bodies are made of more water than anything else so love yourself and love your water.
Breathe. Actually breathing before you drink your water is a good idea. While in bed, stretch and breathe into all your whole body. Locate all your bones and muscles and appreciate them.I like to pump my breath in and out fast to get my engines running.
Plant your feet on the ground and stand strong. Smile whether you feel like it or not because you are alive and moving.
Make good use of time. Here are some ideas.
•Lunges are for brushing teeth. •Squats are for before landing on the toilet. I am not kidding! •Massaging neck and jaws are for in the shower. •Squats are for picking up laundry baskets, children, cases of water. Smile •Tricep dips, dancing around the kitchen, marching in place or jogging, are for waiting for food to warm up or cook. •Fidget. Make yourself look like a nutcase while waiting in line anywhere. I do it all the time and nobody has ever ostracized me in any way I could detect. Ha ha.
•Squeeze your butt. If you sit a lot, use the time to tighten your butt and legs. Isometric exercise is very effective and it keeps your blood moving. Circle your feet under the table. Go ahead, nobody is looking. •Watch your posture. Make sure your shoulders are back and down and your back is straight. I have heard it said, “That sitting is the new smoking.” Make yourself get up and move. Go get your water.
I expect by now you get my drift. The key is noticing where and what your body is doing and correct accordingly or reward yourself for taking one step toward a healthier you. I promise your family, your work relationships, and the people you serve will be better off when you put yourself first. Moving in little ways all day will go a long way to feeling better about yourself and everyone else.
Now I have been sitting way to long. Annabelle and I are going for a walk.
Check out my first eye-free audio described workout for download now.
http://www.blindalive.com/buy-fitness-workouts/
Mel Scott
Founder and President
BlindAlive.com
It’s here! BlindAlive LLC has created truly eyes-free audio exercise workouts. No more straining to see the little phone or the TV screen. Sculpting With Weights Levels 1 and 2 are completely described so no eyes are needed.
Mel Scott, founder of BlindAlive LLC decided something had to be done about blind and low vision people not having accessible fitness tools just like everyone else. As she says, “I got tired of straining to see the exercises and waiting for somebody to describe them to me, so I have done something about it.”
BlindAlive.com is a simple screenreader friendly website. You can keep up with my blogs, podcasts, and reviews of fitness programs. Best of all, you can buy and download Sculpting With weights for yourself. We have many more programs in the works such as cardio, chair workouts and more. BlindAlive is going to be your home for accessible fitness.
Check it out! Get strong all by yourself!