Be Bold in the Cold: 5 Wheelchair-Friendly Activities for Winter

Contrary to popular belief, the arrival of cold winter weather does not mean that you have to skip out on doing fun wheelchair exercises or physical activities with your loved ones. Finding things to do when the temperature dips may seem more challenging, but there are plenty of ways to stay active year-round. Read on for some of our favorite indoor and outdoor suggestions for you to try out during this season.

Fun Things to Try

1. Rolling Bowling

Adaptive bowling is a perfect winter activity for people with disabilities. Using specialized equipment, people with paralysis can enjoy time with family and friends. One such piece of equipment is a ball ramp used in front of a wheelchair to allow the bowler to push the ball into the lane, while another is a bowling ball with retractable handles that help compensate for poor finger control. For those with good upper body strength, a ball pusher made of a long rod with a curved end can be used to move the ball down the lane. And, using the available bumpers is another way to reduce the frustration of landing a ball in the gutters.

2. Seize the Skis

If you live near or can visit somewhere that gets snow, adaptive skiing is a great option for people with various disabilities to still be able to enjoy snow sports. When looking for somewhere to ski, facilities on public lands are required by law to accommodate skiers with disabilities, so starting there is a good idea.

Skiing is a potential wheelchair activity for those with disability. This picture depicts a ski slope on a mountainside.

In addition to special guides for blind skiers, the following are available adaptive skiing types.

Bi-skis. If you have weakness in your lower extremities or have difficulty standing or balancing, this sit-down method of skiing is for you.
Two-track skis and snowboards. These work for those who can stand on skis but lack leg strength and are ideal for people with sensory impairment or developmental disabilities.
Three and four-track. These options work for skiers who can stand but have difficulties remaining balanced, such as those with amputated legs, cerebral palsy, or traumatic brain injuries, to name a few.
Ski Bike. This equipment resembles a bicycle, but skis are where the wheels usually go, taking the weight off of a person’s legs and feet.

3. Get in the Zone at Home

Research shows that exercise helps burn calories while improving your circulation, improving joint and muscle mobility, and engaging your brain. So, it’s great news that you don’t have to leave your house and brave the cold to get the beneficial exercise you need. There are multiple wheelchair workouts you can do from the comfort of your own home, including yoga, weight lifting, Zumba, or even tai chi. Streaming services such as YouTube have free videos you can watch while you work out.

4. Dance the Day Away

Dancing is another way to exercise and enjoy time spent at home with loved ones. While it may seem challenging at first, dancing is an enjoyable way to exercise, create memories, and gain confidence. And, if you decide to venture out and join a dancing class, there are now options for adaptive dancing such as chairs, aids, barres, and other equipment that offer additional physical support.

5. Pool Is Cool

Billiards is another perfect winter activity for those in wheelchairs, particularly because the table is eye-level. Even better — participating in this sport is the same as it is for those who are non-disabled. As pool is more about technique than physical ability, it makes it easy for those with disabilities to enjoy the sport as much as anyone else, and most pool halls are wheelchair accessible.

MYOLYN Makes It Easy to Enjoy the Winter

Cold winter weather may mean you have to get a little more creative when thinking of wheelchair activities, but it in no way means you have to cut off physical exercise altogether. At MYOLYN, we are passionate about helping people with paralysis get the exercise they need and enjoy activities they may have previously thought impossible. If you want information on our innovative MyoCycle functional electrical stimulation bike or learn more about what exercises you can do from your wheelchair, reach out to our caring team today.