Rolling on Sunshine: 5 Wheelchair Exercise Activities for Summer

You’ve likely heard that exercise is good for you, but the significance of staying active cannot be overstated, no matter any chronic condition or mobility restriction. With regular wheelchair exercise, you’ll see benefits in every part of your body, including your mind. Exercising prompts your body to make the chemicals, endorphins, that make you feel happy, allowing you to not only feel empowered in your movement but also naturally reduce stress and anxiety. So, what better way is there to make the most of the summer sunshine than by getting outside and combining the happiness brought by the sun’s warming rays with the countless health benefits of movement?

While a wheelchair may seem restrictive for your mobility, there’s no shortage of fun, accessible exercises that allow you to stay active. Below, we’ll clue you into some of our favorite ways to keep moving during the summer.

1. See Nature With Wheelchair Hiking

Many outdoor parks have made significant advancements to make the outdoors more accessible, creating enjoyable spaces and gratifying experiences for all, including the effort to introduce wheelchair-accessible trails. These trails are equipped with smooth terrains and wider paths to give wheelchair users a safe journey through some of the most beautiful sites nature has to offer. 

Further, the National Parks Service offers a free lifetime entrance pass to any U.S. citizens or permanent residents with disabilities, called their Access Pass. This is your ticket to more than 2,000 natural destinations that the federal government protects and upkeeps.  

2. Exercise Made Flexible: Yoga

While we may be acquainted with yoga through the lens of trendy Instagram poses, yoga is a great way to engage your body regardless of your mobility. When practicing yoga as a wheelchair user, the focus is on stretching your body with control and strengthening your muscles in the process, and it’s important to do so with respect to your own physical limitations. 

As sitting for extended periods of time can make you feel stiff, yoga is a great way to release tension, clear your mind, and loosen your muscles for increased comfort. Wheelchair exercise through yoga focuses mainly on the upper portion of your body to engage your arms, neck, shoulders, and core. 

While you can search locally for an adaptable yoga practice near you, you can also get started on your fitness journey from the comfort of your own home — or backyard, local park, beach, or wherever you feel called! You can follow an online set of targeted stretches or follow along to a video for adaptable yoga exercises you can take anywhere. 

3. Have Fun With an Adaptive Sports Team

Wheelchair users can play almost every sport that is possible without wheelchairs too. Adaptive sports teams are an exhilarating way to pack fun into your exercise. With inclusive sports teams ranging from basketball to tennis and everything between, you can get active in your favorite sports with an accessible team. 

Finding a sports team in your area may be difficult, but we encourage you to not be afraid to reach out to local groups in your area to try starting one yourself, if needed. For more information on adaptive sports, check out our blog dedicated to giving you the scoop on this key way to stay fit. 

4. Join an Accessible Gym

Further, some gyms also offer accessible adaptations to encourage the inclusion of members with mobility limitations. At MYOLYN, we’ve partnered with facilities to provide functional electrical stimulation or FES cycling to members through our revolutionary MyoCycle. These are often one of the most popular pieces of equipment, giving users the ability to electrically assist in cycling. 

5. Hit the Beach to Leisurely Roll

Going to the beach is arguably one of the most quintessential summer activities. However, sand and water don’t quite naturally pair with wheelchairs. The good news? Many beaches have begun incorporating wheelchair accessibility into their designs so that more people can get outside and breathe in the crisp, salted air. A quick online search will tell you where you can find an accessible beach near you. 

Take Your Wheelchair Exercise to the Next Level With MYOLYN

Everyone, regardless of disability, can benefit from more movement, and that’s where we come in. MYOLYN is here to support you on your journey to empowered movement with functional electrical stimulation (FES) technology that you can use to fuel your daily activity. Pairing the MyoCycle’s targeted therapeutic benefits with an active lifestyle is a powerful combination to empower your body — and your mind. And what better time than summer to make the most of a sunny day by getting outside to exercise? So get moving — sunshine awaits!