Have you ever walked into a gym and wondered if it was built for you? You are not alone.
Many people with disabilities find that gyms and classes were never designed with them in mind. That can make exercise feel out of reach. Yet exercise for people with disabilities can build strength that helps in daily life. Think of standing up from a chair or getting into the car.
This article looks at why exercise matters and what a safe program can include. It also explains how an exercise physiologist can help you start.
Why Does Exercise Matter For People With Disability?
The Australian Government says being active is vital for good mental and physical health. Its movement guidelines include advice for adults with disability. Even so, a 2021 national survey of more than 54,000 adults found a gap. Adults with disability were about half as likely to meet activity guidelines through sport or physical recreation.
Motivation does not seem to be the problem. In the same survey, adults with disability were keener than others to try a new activity for their health (55% compared with 46%). The most common barrier was poor health or injury. It was reported by 62% of those not taking part. That said, many people want to be active but need the right support to do it.
What Do The Guidelines Recommend?
The Department of Health suggests muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week. It also suggests activities for mobility, balance and coordination on three or more days. These are general targets, and the guidelines say to start slowly and build up. They also note that professional help may be needed.
So rather than chasing a number, begin with what your body can do today. Then grow from there, one small step at a time. Even a few minutes of movement is a fair start.
What Can Exercise For People With Disabilities Include?
No two people have the same needs, so a good program made by a trainer or someone who understands your health needs is built around your abilities and goals. Most programs use a few simple building blocks.
Strength training
Strength work is the base of daily independence. With machines, resistance bands or free weights, you train the muscles you use to stand, push, pull and lift. Over time, this may make jobs like carrying the shopping or moving from bed to chair feel easier.
Seated exercises
If standing is hard or unsafe, seated exercises give you plenty of options. Band rows, shoulder presses and leg extensions can all be done from a chair. Exercise for wheelchair users often focuses on the upper body. That is because the shoulders, arms and back do a lot of work each day.
Balance and mobility
Balance work uses simple, repeated moves. Examples include practising standing up from a chair, taking supported steps or reaching for objects. These aim to build your confidence in the moves you use every day. Support can stay close by whenever you need it.
How Can An Exercise Physiologist Help?
An accredited exercise physiologist starts by listening. They ask about your health, your abilities and what you want to do more easily. Then they check how you move and build a plan around you.
They show you each exercise and change it as you improve, or when something does not feel right. This matters because the right level of challenge is different for everyone.
Too little may not help, and too much may leave you sore or worn out. A plan that fits you keeps each session safe and worthwhile.
Many people also live with pain alongside disability, and movement may help there too. Our article on how exercise can reduce chronic pain explains how.
At EP360, sessions run inside Club Lime gyms at St Peters and Five Dock. That means you train in an accessible gym with full commercial equipment, not a small treatment room.
If you’re looking for disability fitness programs in Sydney’s Inner West, this setting gives you space to move. It also gives you plenty of equipment to use.
How Does NDIS Funding Work For Exercise Physiology?
NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) funding is built around your plan, and your plan is built around your goals. The NDIS only funds supports that are reasonable and necessary. In simple terms, a support needs to relate to your disability and make sense for your situation.
NDIS exercise physiology is generally funded from the Capacity Building part of a plan. Most often, that means Improved Health and Wellbeing or Improved Daily Living. Which one applies depends on your goals and what your plan says.
How your plan is managed also matters. Plans can be self-managed, plan-managed or agency-managed, and this can affect which providers you are able to use. For example, agency-managed funding generally needs a registered provider, while self-managed participants may have more choice.
Every plan is different, so no one can promise that sessions will be covered. However, an NDIS exercise physiologist can help you understand which category applies, and what to raise with your planner. As a registered NDIS provider, EP360 works with all three plan types, and our team is happy to talk it through.
A Starting Point For Building Strength And Independence
Exercise for people with disabilities can support strength, balance and daily independence. It works best when it suits your abilities and goals. A good place to start is the national guidelines. From there, add strength work that suits your body and a plan that grows with you.
If you would like help with that, our NDIS Exercise Physiologist service is built around your pace. It is also built around your goals. When you are ready, send us an Appointment Request or call (02) 8070 8367.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as exercise for people with disability?
Any movement that suits your abilities can count, whether you are seated or standing. This might include strength work, balance practice or gentle activity at home.
Is it safe to start exercising with a disability?
For most people, it can be, as long as you start slowly and build up. It is a good idea to speak with your GP or health team first. An exercise physiologist can then set a starting point that suits you.
Can I exercise if I use a wheelchair?
Yes. Seated exercises and upper-body strength work are common starting points. Your program can be adapted to your needs.
What happens in the first session?
Your first session is an initial consult. We talk about your goals, your health and what feels easy or hard right now. Then we plan your next steps together.
Does the NDIS pay for exercise physiology?
It may, depending on your plan. Exercise physiology is generally funded under Improved Health and Wellbeing or Improved Daily Living. We can help you understand which category applies.
This information is general in nature and does not replace personalised advice from a qualified health professional.
