Paraplegia causes paralysis and muscle loss in the lower body, often leading to a sedentary lifestyle, increasing your risk of obesity and other chronic conditions such as heart disease.

The good news is that exercise helps combat the side effects of spending the majority of your day in a indoor electric wheelchair. Aerobic exercise such as using an arm bike or wheeling yourself around the neighborhood burns calories and strengthens your heart.

Because you depend on your arms for all your daily activities, upper-body strengthening exercises should also be a regular part of your workout routine. Exercises target muscles that help you get in and out of your chair, lift objects and perform household tasks. As an added benefit, having more muscle means your body burns more calories at rest.
Exercises can be performed with free weights, resistance bands or household objects such as water bottles or socks full of pennies. Strengthening exercises are typically performed eight to 10 repetitions at a time, working up to three sets in a row. Workout 2 to 3 times per week, with at least one day of rest between sessions.

Wheelchair Pushups
Wheelchair pushups strengthen your triceps and shoulder blade muscles that help you transfer out of your chair and move around in bed.
To do this exercise, place your hands on top of your chair wheels. Lean forward at your hips, press down through your palms and straighten your elbows. Push your shoulder blades down at the same time and try to lift your backside off your chair seat. Hold for 1 to 2 seconds, then slowly lower back down.

Shoulder Press
Shoulder presses improve your ability to reach overhead.

To do this exercise, hold one dumbbell in each hand. Bend your elbows to 90 degrees and lift your arms out to the sides at shoulder-height. This is your starting position. Press the weights up over your head and straighten your elbows. Your hands should come together overhead. Hold for 2 to 3 seconds, then slowly lower back to the starting position.
Arm Raises
Arm raises strengthen the deltoid muscles on top of your shoulders.
To do this exercise, hold one dumbbell in each hand and straighten your elbows. Lift one arm straight out in front of you, palm down, to shoulder-height. Hold for 2 to 3 seconds, then slowly lower back down. Repeat on the other side. Perform this same movement lifting you arm straight out to the side to shoulder-height.

Bicep Curls
Strong biceps help you lift objects and pull yourself into a seated position.
To do this exercise, hold one dumbbell in each hand. Rest your hands on your thighs with your palms up. Bend one elbow, lifting the weight toward your upper arm. Hold for 2 to 3 seconds, then lower slowly back down. Repeat on the other side.
Bent-Over Rows
Bent-over rows strengthen muscles in your upper back.
To do this exercise, hold one dumbbell in each hand. Bend forward at your hips, as far as you comfortably can. Keeping your arms close to your sides, squeeze your shoulder blades together and bring your elbows back as far as possible. Hold for 2 to 3 seconds, then lower back down. To make this exercise easier, perform one side at a time.

How to warm up effectively

Tone up HIIT workout for wheelchair users

10 min Wheelchair Cardio [You Can Do At Home!]

Can you complete this HIIT Workout?

No Equipment Beginner HIIT Workout for Wheelchair Users | ADAPT TO PERFORM

Wheelchair Ab Workout | ADAPT TO PERFORM

Toned Arms & Shoulders [Wheelchair Workout]

Hard Wheelchair Workout! (Only 10 Mins!)

BURN FAT With This Wheelchair Workout! (20 Min HIIT)

20 Min Wheelchair HIIT Workout w/ 1 Kettle-bell

Quadriplegic Does Push Ups!

Home Back/Bicep Wheelchair Workout

5 MIN Wheelchair Shoulder Burning Workout

Quadriplegic Workout

Do these stretches every night!

Alternative Best Stretch for Wheelchair Users

Become a VIP member

We highly recommend Adapt to perform for good workout videos

Also be sure to check out our recommended highly functional mobility scooters by Marc’s Mobility.

By Live Strong


We think we heard you say you can't workout because you're paralysed!

Source: Getty

After watching this do you still think so?

Jason Greer was a man who refused to accept that his condition could limit him

Leave a Reply