Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
9
↓
On the subject of exercise. (self.Blind)
submitted by Leche_de_caballo
When I go to an area with lots of weights and different machines, a lot of things might be color coded or have writing on them, or if you go to a treadmill you have all sorts of colored and worded buttons. Is it possible to use the gym? If not, what do you do to get exercise? Is swimming possible or is it not viable? What about running and cycling? I know that Daniel Kish would ride his bike as a kid. What types of exercise are easier to do than others?
Generally, I'm just curious about how blind or visually impaired people stay active and healthy.
Generally, I'm just curious about how blind or visually impaired people stay active and healthy.
bleeblat 4 points 4y ago
I am completely blind, but I have done tandem cycling in the past, and I’d do it again if I found a partner. I also am currently training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which I started last August. I like it because it seems to be the hardest but most rewarding workout I’ve done. I’ve considered taking up rowing or swimming as well, but haven’t found a patient instructor yet. I’d do some yoga too, if I could find a patient teacher, because I enjoyed the introduction I got. Hopefully that helps your curiosity.
PungentMushrooms 2 points 4y ago
Indoor rock climbing/bouldering
It's very possible to do even with 5% vision though it might depend on your condition.
You climb up big color coded rocks that don't move that you feel with your hands and feet. It helps to have someone call out where the next holds are for you, for example: "Hey, you have a foothold to your right at about hip level" but even sighted climbers like having holds called out for them.
All I have is a little bit of functional sight and the top left of my left eye which adds up to about 5% vision and I've been bouldering alone for a year-and-a-half now. I love it.
The hardest part for me is finding the starting footholds but I'll often ask other climbers how to start specific problems. Climbers are generally super nice and sociable people :)
It's very possible to do even with 5% vision though it might depend on your condition.
You climb up big color coded rocks that don't move that you feel with your hands and feet. It helps to have someone call out where the next holds are for you, for example: "Hey, you have a foothold to your right at about hip level" but even sighted climbers like having holds called out for them.
All I have is a little bit of functional sight and the top left of my left eye which adds up to about 5% vision and I've been bouldering alone for a year-and-a-half now. I love it.
The hardest part for me is finding the starting footholds but I'll often ask other climbers how to start specific problems. Climbers are generally super nice and sociable people :)
Leche_de_caballo [OP] 1 points 4y ago
I like rock climbing too, but I bet you’ve probably done more. Nice.
jrs12 2 points 4y ago
People with visual impairments can do all those things. The local gym can be tough depending of level of remaining vision, but once someone knows where everything is at there shouldn't be a problem. You can adjust weights by feel. The cardio machines can be adapted to have a little bump sticker on important buttons. The rest of the activities you mentioned are possible. It's simply getting an instructor who will take the time to teach them.
HDMILex 1 points 4y ago
I suppose an instructor would not be included in the price of gym membership?
jrs12 2 points 4y ago
I guess simply is used a bit sarcastically here on my part. For certain classes, mostly the group classes, there is an instructor. It would be a toss up if their directions were descriptive enough to participate. I think it would depend heavily on the class as well. Yoga and cycling would be easier to follow along than Zumba for example. Those types of instructors are included in the gym cost.
I recently accepted a new job doing rehabilitation work and part of my plan for the recreation and leisure class is to take people to their local gym to familiarize them with the classes and equipment they want to use. If the athlete can provide the plan for how accommodations will work, it goes over better than just asking for general help. An instructor for in depth one on one instruction like that costs extra.
I recently accepted a new job doing rehabilitation work and part of my plan for the recreation and leisure class is to take people to their local gym to familiarize them with the classes and equipment they want to use. If the athlete can provide the plan for how accommodations will work, it goes over better than just asking for general help. An instructor for in depth one on one instruction like that costs extra.
oncenightvaler 1 points 4y ago
I take walks in my neighbourhood with my cane.
I go to the gym and it used to be that I had to have someone set up everything for me but this new gym's machines are slightly more accessible and have dials on them for speed and intensity on the bikes and treadmills. I still have to get my friend to help me and have him help me set the weights when I do weight lifting machines.
I had done swimming as a child and some as a teen though I never got to be professional at it, I might get back into it one day.
I don't play any sports, though I do like to hike, and can do pick up games of basketball and football.
I go to the gym and it used to be that I had to have someone set up everything for me but this new gym's machines are slightly more accessible and have dials on them for speed and intensity on the bikes and treadmills. I still have to get my friend to help me and have him help me set the weights when I do weight lifting machines.
I had done swimming as a child and some as a teen though I never got to be professional at it, I might get back into it one day.
I don't play any sports, though I do like to hike, and can do pick up games of basketball and football.
Leche_de_caballo [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Cool, thanks for sharing.
codeplaysleep 1 points 4y ago
I walk a lot and bought some free weights and resistance bands to use at home. I love to hike when I can. I have a decent amount of remaining vision, but a very narrow visual field and no depth perception, so I need a guide to do it safely.
Leche_de_caballo [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Interesting.
Stick81 1 points 4y ago
I swim laps when I can, I tend to veer a bit because I'm stronger on one side. that's fairly normal, and most laps pools have lanes with dividers, so not hard to stay on track. As for the gym, I'm a big fan of free weights, and most gyms use Olympic sets with the numbers embossed on the side of each plate, add in a little guidance from my lift partner, and it's manageable and fun, and you should be lifting with a spotter anyway, so most people don't think much about two people walking around together. Stationary bikes are a good work out, and you can also step it up with a spin class, just get some help setting the right resistance, and off you go.
FrankenGretchen 1 points 4y ago
Our local parks and rec used to offer one on one swimming lessons for blind/vi folks. I have no idea what's possible, now, but it's a place to start.
You can place an ad for a gym buddy to help set up machines. Personal trainers do cost extra but some gyms offer orientation tours and assistants who can set up machines for you, too.
We had a tandem bike group back in the 70's/80's through our local Council of the Blind.
Try contacting either ACB/NFB for what they're offering, now.
You can place an ad for a gym buddy to help set up machines. Personal trainers do cost extra but some gyms offer orientation tours and assistants who can set up machines for you, too.
We had a tandem bike group back in the 70's/80's through our local Council of the Blind.
Try contacting either ACB/NFB for what they're offering, now.
vwlsmssng 1 points 4y ago
There are tandem cycling clubs for visually impaired riders in the UK, Australia and probably elsewhere.
Here is a link to a US website about it
https://www.visionaware.org/info/everyday-living/recreation-and-leisure/sports-and-exercise/tandem-bicycling/1235
Here is a link to a US website about it
https://www.visionaware.org/info/everyday-living/recreation-and-leisure/sports-and-exercise/tandem-bicycling/1235
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.