Just Like You
When you think of the kind of person that would belong to a gym what comes to mind? Many of us have the perceived notion that it’s for the beautiful, the athletes and the “over achievers.”
We don’t always think about the REAL people that walk through the door and swipe their cards every day – the baby boomers, people who are overweight, those who have never stepped foot in a gym before, and individuals that have a disability.
The reality is, while more than one-third of Americans are obese, the statistics are even more dire for people with disabilities. Over forty percent are obese and more than nine percent are “extremely obese.” In addition, people with disabilities (no matter their weight) are more likely than those without disabilities to have heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.
People with disabilities face at least one of four barriers when trying to engage in physical activity: fatigue, pain, mobility impairments, stress and sometimes all of the above. This makes it difficult to engage in healthy behaviors, which results in secondary conditions such as obesity, depression and muscular atrophy. It’s a vicious cycle!
Another barrier is cost. Not only is accessible equipment expensive, but people with disabilities are also more likely to be unemployed or underemployed than the rest of the population. This certainly can play into obesity since they may not be able to afford, prepare or access healthier food.
On the upside, technology to help people with disabilities get moving is improving. There are many options now that are technology-free and fitness professionals (especially at Champion Fitness Center) are more educated and equip to work with these individuals than ever before as the number of participants in the gym continues to increase.
The trick to helping someone stay active no matter what their disability may be is to be creative! Here are a few REAL stories from REAL members at Champions who have a disability.
Kara Vander Veer
I am Kara Vander Veer (see picture) and I am 40 years old. I have Cerebral Palsy. It affects my speech and muscles. It does not affect my intelligence. I have obstacles every day. One of the major obstacles I have overcome recently is finding a way to exercise and maintain the physical abilities I do have. About three years ago I joined a gym and started working with personal trainer Jennifer Nastasi-Guzelak. Together we developed a workout that focuses on building my strength and increasing my flexibility. When I first started, I was lifting 2 pound wrist and ankle weights. Now I am up to 16 pounds on my wrists and 20 pounds on my ankles. I have gained 7 pounds since I’ve started – which is a big deal for me! Going to the gym has also allowed me to meet new people. Many see me as an inspiration, but I’m just living my life.
Erica Lynn Nystrom
My name is Erica Lynn Nystrom (shown in picture) and I am a 29 year old amputee, missing both of my legs below the knee and parts of both of my hands. I have been an amputee for just over 5 years. One of the hardest things for me to deal with after losing my legs due to months of being inactive was the weight gain.
In late June of last year, I walked through the doors of CrossFit Transformation, where I was introduced to coach, Sarah Stoetzel. Sarah had never worked with an amputee, but was ready to dive right in with me. I had expressed to her that one of the most important things to me was to be able to do the workouts without my prosthetic legs because they posed different challenges. July 1st, 2015 was my first day working out with Sarah and although I was nervous and intimidated at the thought of even trying, I was committed to giving it my all.
I did one on one sessions with Sarah for a couple of months while she figured out modifications for me to do the things all of her other clients were doing. She then started to transition me in to classes. I was worried about whether or not the other members would accept me, but every single person was so kind, helpful and welcoming. I started out doing such basic things, using light weights and only working out for a few minutes at a time. My back squat in the beginning was 95 pounds and is now 175 pounds. I couldn’t do more than a few sit-ups when I began, and now most recently I am up to 110! I have done workouts that last over 40 minutes and I am able to keep up with those around me. I’ve dropped weight, increased my strength and have a new found confidence in myself.
I never would have pictured myself doing something like this, even before I became an amputee. Now, I couldn’t imagine my life without it. I thought at first that I was the only one who struggled, mentally and physically in workouts. Once I started working out with others, I quickly realized, we all have our strengths and weaknesses. We all struggle and have good days and bad days. It has nothing to do with being disabled; it is because we are human. What seems impossible today will one day become your warm up.
Bonnie Mckeen
My name is Bonnie Mckeen I was born with Spina Bifida as well as a hearing impairment. While I have never been one to give-up or give- in, I joined the gym because I was tired of asking for help lifting heavy items in the grocery store. Especially the 25 pound bags of kitty litter!
I’ve worked with Christy Johnston for over 5 years, but have been a member of Champions and worked with a trainer for the last 16 years. Working with a fitness professional has increased my physical abilities as well as my self-confidence, regardless of my physical limitations.
After I reached my initial goals I decided to continue working with a trainer. Heart issues run in my family, so I consider staying active to be a great preventative measure.
Chuck Marchione
My story begins a little later in life. My name is Chuck Marchione and I train with Dan Gaglianese. After retiring with 20 years from the Army Reserves I felt I was in need of an activity that would keep me motivated and help maintain my level of fitness.
Unfortunately, at this time, I also started experiencing numbness and tingling in my extremities. Turns out, I had Multiple Sclerosis. I had just been diagnosed with a debilitating disease.
It was highly recommended I maintain some level of activity. At the time, I was a new gym member and wondered if I needed or even wanted a personal trainer? I never really considered it before, but had never been in this situation before either.
Turns out to be the best decision I could have ever made. With the additional knowledge and experience of a personal trainer I have totally revamped my diet. I have a new found respect for simple stretching and blood-flow/circulation and have come to the understanding that more weight is not always the best way to improve.
Aquatic Therapy is another advantage to belonging to Champions and it has made quite a difference. I have been at Champions member for almost 6 years and I have had a trainer since I started. I am quite confident that working with Dan has been one of the best decisions I have made since I have been put in this situation. Quite simply, some people work out to gain weight, get faster or get stronger. My situation, I train to remain vertical.
In Conclusion
“Never” does not exist for the human mind… only “Not yet.” Exercise is for EVERY body.
Someone who has a disability is just like YOU. Don’t you and I have challenges to overcome when we workout at a gym? Aren’t there things that we can’t do or have a hard time with at first?
The bottom line is we all have challenges and we all have excuses! Let’s get over them and let’s make the commitment to lead a healthy, active lifestyle!
I am currently certified by the National Sports Conditioning Association, Apex Fitness Group, and the International Sports Science Association. If you would like to set up a free consultation with one of our certified fitness professionals please call Champions Fitness at 452-5522.
