Regular exercise is important for people with spinal injuries, especially ones that result in paraplegia. Being in a seated position most of the time can set the stage for various health issues, including lower circulation, lower bone density, and weight or digestion problems. Regular exercise can increase anyone's quality of life and help to prevent health problems. There are many exercise equipment options for people with paraplegia to consider including in their exercise programs.
Dumbbells
Dumbbells are some of the simplest, least-expensive, and most flexible exercise equipment available. You can purchase them at sports equipment retailers, online, or even at stores like Target or Walmart. They are available in a huge range of weights and finishes, and allow for a seemingly infinite variety of exercises in a seated position. You might use a lighter pair of weights to perform high-repetition exercises to increase endurance or heavier weights to build strength.
Flexible Weights
Flexible weights are soft, fabric-covered weighted tubes that can be wrapped around the body. These weights may be more comfortable to grip or easier to use over longer periods of time than dumbbells. For example, the tubes can be wrapped around the shoulders or arms for use while operating a manual wheelchair for an effective cardiovascular workout. Some weights possess nylon straps on the ends, which can be used as handles, enabling the weights to be used for upper-body exercise or buckled to wrap around the waist or shoulders. These weights come in various lengths and sizes; weights are available in 5 lb., 10 lb., 12 lb., 15 lb., 20 lb., 40 lb. and 50 lb. weights.
Boxing
Boxing is a great way to get regular exercise and is easily done in a seated position. A challenging upper-body workout, it improves hand-eye coordination and offers cardiovascular training benefits. To box at home, you will need gloves, hand wraps and a punching bag. Speed bags, mouth guards and other specialized equipment available at sports equipment retailers and online can be fun additions to the workout, but are not necessary.
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