When you are disabled, exercise is often difficult because fitness is not accessible, and you can’t do whatever exercise you want like non-disabled people can. I exercise regularly, but because of my physical disability, I am not able to do whatever exercise I want, and there are some forms of exercise that are impossible for me. Non-disabled people sometimes will suggest that I go to a gym to exercise because they are trying to be helpful and think that exercising would be easier if I went to a gym. If I went to a gym to exercise, I would have access to more equipment than I do now, but I am still physically disabled and don’t benefit from a gym membership as much as a non-disabled person, and I prefer to work out at home. Exercising at the gym wouldn’t necessarily be easier because gyms are often inaccessible, and I would likely face more barriers in public places than I would at home. Why don’t I go to a gym to exercise? In this post, I am sharing why I don’t get a membership and prefer to exercise at home.
I don’t benefit from most gym equipment- Non-disabled people often will join a gym to have access to equipment that they wouldn’t have space for in their house or couldn’t afford to purchase. Non-disabled people often benefit from using gym equipment, but when you are physically disabled, it can be difficult to walk on a treadmill, even if you hold onto the handles. Some people with physical disabilities may benefit from some machines, and joining a gym is a worthwhile investment, but for me personally, it would be a waste of money. I don’t benefit from most machines because a lot of time these machines work muscles I don’t have, and I am not able to use them. I can’t get on a moving treadmill because I have a lot of stability issues and would fall even if it’s on the lowest speed. Before I had hip replacement surgery, I may have benefited from a stationary bike, but I’m not sure if I would benefit from that anymore because I have a limited range of motion in my legs and don’t know if it’s even possible. Most of the equipment that they have at a gym that I would benefit from, I can have in the comfort of my own home.
I don’t like people watching me exercising- When you are disabled, exercising often looks different because you have to accommodate your disability. People often stare at you because they have never seen a disabled person exercise before, which can make you a little uncomfortable. I go on walks outside most days of the week because it’s the only way I am able to get a good cardio workout, but I hate every minute of it and wish I could do cardio indoors. People often will approach me while I am exercising, to tell me I am an inspiration, which wouldn’t happen if I were able to exercise inside in my own home. Exercising looks different because of my physical disability, and sometimes I get a little self-conscious of the way I look and prefer to exercise without strangers watching me. I have less anxiety when I exercise at home, when no one can see me, and I will always prefer to train in my house.
I can’t drive to a gym- Some physically disabled people are able to drive because you can get a car modified to accommodate your disability, but it is expensive and often costs thousands of dollars. I don’t drive, and if I wanted to go to a gym, I would have to take time out of someone else’s day to drive me to a gym. I am fortunate that I have people in my life who are more than willing to drive me places, but I try not to inconvenience someone else to take me places that I don’t need to be. If I could drive, I could join a gym because I wouldn’t be inconveniencing someone else, but since I don’t drive, exercising at home is the best option for me. I can get just as good a workout at home and am not wasting anyone else’s time.
I don’t benefit from most exercise classes- Non-disabled people sometimes will join a gym to have access to the exercise classes, but when you are disabled, you often don’t benefit from these classes. Most exercise classes are not designed for people with disabilities, and it would be very difficult for me to participate in these classes because I may not be able to do half the moves. I love the idea of taking an exercise class, but unless that class was designed for people with physical disabilities, which most classes aren’t, it would likely be a waste of my time. I benefit more from watching YouTube videos than taking a real-life class that I probably couldn’t do anyway. Most trainers do not understand the limitations of my disability, and I am better off doing my own research than paying a trainer to teach me exercises I already know.
Gyms are often inaccessible- I am constantly learning new ways to navigate barriers because we live in an inaccessible world that is not designed for disabled people. As a physically disabled person, I am constantly facing barriers when I exercise because fitness is not accessible, but I do not face as many as I would if I went to the gym. I love exercising at home because I can make my at-home gym accessible for my needs and don’t have to worry about a non-disabled person moving things around, making exercise more difficult than it already is. An accessible place to exercise is so important because it keeps me safe, and I am not going to get that at a gym.
Exercising in a gym has its perks, and some non-disabled people prefer to exercise at home, but when you are physically disabled, sometimes joining a gym is not an option for you. I hate exercising outside, especially in the heat of summer, and wish I could do all my exercises indoors because there are days when it’s raining and I am forced to take a rest day. You will never see me join a gym because I don’t make a lot of money, and gym membership can be expensive. It seems silly to me to join a gym when all the equipment that I am able to use I can have at home. I would love to have a larger selection of weights, but I am not going to join a gym just for that. You can have a mat and a set of weights in your own home, and you don’t have to worry about tons of strangers touching it. Some disabled people do not have limitations like I do and may benefit from going to the gym, and I am only sharing my personal experience. Do you prefer to exercise at home or in a gym? If you liked this post, please leave a comment below and share it with your friends.
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