[BlindTlk] Accessible Strength Training

[Georgia Kitchen]

Hi Brandon, there is a strength of class through the north western
Association for blind athletes. It’s part of their Ert programs via Zoom.
Also they have they have different types of exercises on YouTube that are
just for the students that are registered with them. The classes are free.
I found out about it through a recent podcast from ice on success. I take
dance aerobics three times a week, but I have straight building. I said
that wrong I’ve got dance aerobics I got dance aerobics cardio in the
strength building class. I have the dance aerobics twice a week and then I
walk on the treadmill when I’m not doing things with Northwestern there are
students from other countries on there too. That might help some if you can
do something at home it would save the transportation and the time from
having to go to the gym RYCA was just built and it has apartments right
next to it that are basically part of the complex their track is OK but
you’d have to use a cane to walk around it in their pool and weight rooms
of course they’re all accessible. I don’t know about the equipment. I don’t
think anything is labeled. I was thinking about joining, but I’ve only gone
on a tour so far I used to like to go to the University of Michigan rec
center but now they’ve closed their pool and they’ve also you can’t go
unless you’re a member or unless you come with a member so that’s
disappointing. The reason I like their track if you could hang onto the
rail on the inside and walk around without any problem as fast as you
wanted to, it was quite accessible. They had a weight room there too. That
was really that’s really nice so if you’re really into weights it might be
nice to have something that you mentioned. I’m not familiar with that. I
know there are trainers that come to the house. I don’t know much about all
that best of luck. Hope you find something that you like.

Georgia Kitchen
Genesee County Chapter National Federation of the Blind
NFB-Newsline



On Sun, Jan 11, 2026 at 6:48 PM Sami Osborne via BlindTlk <
blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Hi Brandon,
>
> I don't know anything specifically about the Bowflex device you're talking
> about, but as far as working out at home, I do have a stationary bike that
> I keep in my bedroom and try to do at least a ten-minute workout each day.
> Maybe you can also try investing in that? I'm not sure what brand of bike I
> have, but mine is pretty easy to use, with only a lever to adjust the
> resistance level along with the pedals, so no real need for any fancy
> accessibility hacks or anything. I got my bike two Christmases ago.
>
> Additionally, if you have any friends or family members nearby, maybe you
> can ask them if they'd be willing to try going tandem biking with you. My
> dad and I have been tandem biking since I was only about five years old.
> We're currently taking a break for the winter, but we always start up again
> during the spring and then continue through the summer and late fall; we've
> actually just completed a 100-mile bike ride last September. Tandem bikes
> are notoriously expensive (I believe the bike we have now was somewhere
> around $3,000), but if pricing is a significant issue, perhaps you and
> whoever you've chosen to ride with could split the price among both of you.
>
> I hope this helps, and best of luck with your strength training!
>
> Sami    On Jan 11, 2026 12:48 PM, Brandon Olivares via BlindTlk <
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >
> > I’ve been wanting to get into strength training because I’m losing
> weight and want to make sure I maintain muscle.
> >
> > Last year I went to the gym for a bit and worked with a personal
> trainer, but it was expensive and transportation was a big issue. So, I’d
> rather do it at home.
> >
> > I’ve been looking into options like resistance bands or adjustable
> dumbbells, but I don’t know the motions well enough to feel comfortable
> learning that on my own.
> >
> > So I’m strongly considering something like the Bowflex that has a bunch
> of built-in exercises for different parts of the body. But, I don’t know
> how accessible it would be, and wanted to see if anyone else has had
> experience with something like this. It sounds accessible from what I’ve
> found about it, but I don’t want to buy it and then find out there’s an
> issue I can’t navigate around.
> >
> > I’m open to other suggestions as well.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Brandon
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