Cardio work

[monkeygirl]

Hey! What else is there to do for good cardio workouts, besides the fes bikes and handcycles? Something that dosen't need a machine, but yet is fun, so that I would keep doing it. I guess even if it's not fun, cause I have to do it anyway. I tried that Lisa Ericson 's Workout tape (arobics), but I got bored with it, especially the music, it sounded like cheap porn.

[Tara]

Monkeygirl,
I am having the same problem- there doesn't seem to be anything out there to keep active while in this thing. And the few things that are, aren't appealing at all to to me......But the cheap porn sounds fairly amusing..... haha

[TEION]

I would like information on how someone can get either of these. They seem so expensive. Does insurance civer any of the cost. 0 :confused

please helpO

[gpbullock]

Or anyone else interested. Try contacting or do a search for the challenged athletes foundation. They're located in CA and they give grants for purchasing adaptive sporting equipment, help pay for training, etc. I have been an athlete my whole life, so I wrote to them, sent a few pictures of me enjoying various sports, and they sent me a grant for half the cost of a handcycle.

[gpbullock]

I like to swim, I swim laps, I try moving my legs in the pool, stretch, I do whatever I can, but in the pool. I get a great workout aerobically speaking. Or try crawling on you hands and knees, (I don't know your level so if this isn't an option I apologize)this typically kicks my butt, I shake from fatigue for an hour afterwards. Yes, crawling. Definately for an aerobic workout.

[etexley]

I agree with GP about swimming, I mean it's the most free body thing you can do and be moving about (short of sky diving...which I won't do.) But I enjoy just trying to dance in my wheelchair too. I was a tap dancer before I got hurt. And while I can't move my feet now, i still get the same rush from moving in time with music.

Singing is probably not a bad cardio activity either ... http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif ( I am straight...)

Eric Texley

[SCI-Nurse]

Another option, esp. for those who are limited to their home (winter, no transportation, etc.) and have not ready access to a pool is to consider an arm ergometer. There are table-top models that can be used from your wheelchair, in addition to ones with pedals that will provide some (passive) range of motion exercise to your legs (these take more space, but can also be used from a wheelchair).

In addition, you can look into all sorts of sports from tennis to quad rugby if you have the functional level appropriate for these sports.

(KLD)