Workouts at Home
Author: Tony Trott
A few years ago, I wrote a blog out my exercise routine. I think that it is needless to say, things are quite different this year. But I still make time to exercise (not as much as I’d like or that I should though).
Of course, there is a lot of different equipment at gyms which I don’t have access to at home, but I have been able to rework my routines to 
allow for that. For example, at the gym, I am able to use resistance bands that are tied to or wrapped securely around a very string pole, and at home I have found different ways to attach the band to a door (with handles) or even a grab bar if I have to.
Fortunately, I did have a few resistance bands and hand weights before the lockdown began, but even if I didn’t, they are relatively inexpensive at a variety of online stores.
A lot of times you will need to completely reinvent some workouts because you lack certain big machines. For example, at the gym, I use a handcycle for a cardio workout, at home I don’t have a handcycle. Granted, if I wanted to spend serious money, I could buy one, but I lack space for it!
So because I don’t have a handcycle, I have to do something else for a cardio workout. I have found two different activities so I can just alternate between them. The simplest thing is just to mime the movement of the handcycle. This gets old after a while, so I decided to find an object around the house that was not too heavy, but not too light (and, of course, not fragile; say a big bag of frozen peas!) and I just put that on the dining room table in front of me and while seated in my wheelchair (of course, with my seatbelt on), I take the object with my right hand and set it on the floor and then with my left hand I move it back to the table. I try to keep a constant speed and I can change directions when I feel like it; I aim for 30 minutes when I do this, but I do what I can.
Yes, we are going through a difficult time, but you really can’t afford to not exercise. Even just a few times a week will help your body and make you feel better.
an exercise class called “Dance Mob” but it was unbelievable. We were exercising to the Dave Matthews band, Green Day and other more nontraditional dance music. It was beyond enjoyable and opened my eyes to a whole new way of exercising.
I am doing my best at those three things and trying hard to remain positive and not worry. However, I must admit that because I have a degenerative disability, I am hyperaware that changes can occur slowly and may be virtually unnoticeable until they become a problem.