[Sportsandrec] Anyone totally blind and member of a gym?

Mon Jul 12 03:15:25 UTC 2010

Hi, Denise,

Right on about spin, my blind common law husband and I are in total 
agreement with how spin  affords opportunities of,  not only great 
physical fitness but tasty mind time, when you lapse into your zone 
and you get lost in the music (even if it isn't your favorite) and 
the challenge. However, a word to the wise says, It took a while to 
show each instructor in our gym's classes to verbalize, verbalize, 
verbalize because I'm sure you know that verbalization is something 
that evades some people's nature, so there is a marked difference in 
verbosity between our regular instructors and those with whom we seldom ride.
When I first became acquainted with the various instructors at our 
gym, I found a reluctance to demand a verbalizing of the workout, and 
and ended up missing out on much of it. .
Then I talked with the cycling matriarch extraordinaire  a little and 
offered some suggestions of how she could encourage an equal 
participation between both her blind patrons, and those who happen to 
be sighted, and it made all the difference.
If your situation resorts to such measures, perhaps pose the question 
to whomever is instructing the ride  of, how is one to find body 
conditioning or acceptional physical fitness if you are constantly 
worried about what the instructor is calling for?
Best of Luck  to you finding your spin legs!
Car
PS: If you have problems let me know and perhaps we can figure out a 
recourse. I have always been a total..  I find that instructors are 
willing to meet ahead of time to explain things and might put you 
with someone to help during the classes.  I love the cycling 
classes.  Some instructors don't use a microphone so, I try to be 
near the instructor.  The cycling classes are great for people of all 
fitness levels as you set the resistance for what works for you.
>Instructors like first timers just to pedal continuously through the 
>class without worrying about doing everything.  Spinning was 
>originally taught with lights off with instructor setting the 
>journey/ride verbally.  It is very easy to follow and learn for the blind.
>
>I took some cycling classes at the gym this national convention and loved it.
>
>I encourage you to go.  Many of the gyms have a Silver Sneakers 
>program where I live to encourage those on Medicare HMO to do 
>preventive exercise so, instructors are now having Seniors or 
>younger people with disabilities in their classes and using the equipment.
>
>Denise
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: elizabethbstewart <elizabethbstewart at att.net>
>To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List' 
><sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Sun, Jul 11, 2010 5:13 pm
>Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Anyone totally blind and member of a gym?
>
>Hi I do not have very good vision at all, and in the past I have gone to
>many spin classes and love them.  I believe if you talk with the instructor
>and tell them you are blind, and might need help.  They should have no
>problem letting you spin on the bike, it is very fun, and you get a work
>out.  I love it.  Well, good luck and hope you find a class.
>Best of luck,
>Elizabeth
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
>[mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Carly Mihalakis
>Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 3:07 PM
>To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
>Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Anyone totally blind and member of a gym?
>
>Hi, Tanya,
>
>         I don't know if this will work as well for you as it does
>for many other totals on this board, but my total common law husband,
>Robin and I are devotees to indoor cycling, aka spin class where you
>use an indoor bicycle to execute a complete workout. Usually there is
>a soundtrack to which you change cadences according to the
>instructors direction.
>Spin classes are conducted in a single room or area so you can learn
>how to get to the spin area, then in my experience other members of
>the class are very willing to assist with setting up the bike, after
>your settings are identified.
>Some people on this board say each member of the class is outfitted
>with headphones for getting the instructions, though this is not the
>case at our gym, at Berkeley Ironworks the instructor calls the
>instructions in his natural voice.  Each instructor has his own style
>and you learn to spot the details of how he delivers the directions,
>though they are fundamentally the same from instructor to instructor.
>I encourage you to give it a try, for once you have been bitten by
>the spin bug there is no looking back.
>Since that spin bug found me, I eat whatever I want and, I imagine
>look alright, not to mention feel great! It's a really body thing, spin is.
>When i am not able to go, I definitely feel it.
>Good luck, and please, other spinners, the time is now for you to speak up!
>Carly  of Berkeley, California7/7/2010, you wrote:
>>Hi all!  I realize many of you are at convention (where I wish I was);
>>but hopefully I'll still get some feedback.
>>
>>I really want to join my local YMCA gym.  However, I'm hesitant because
>>I'm totally blind and quite a bit overweight, and I'm afraid I'll  be
>>uncomfortable trying to navigate in tight quarters between the
>>equipment, bumping in to or disturbing people during their workout,
>>having to always find someone to assist with setting up cardio machines
>>or convince them to let me label them in braille, etc.  I have very
>good
>>travel skills and I'm familiar with the various machines.  I've gone to
>>gyms in the past but always with a friend who could guide or direct me
>>to the next machine.  This time I'll be on my own and I want to feel
>>comfortable if I'm going to put out the money for a gym membership.
>>Thankfully, the YMCA doesn't require a contract and I do plan on hiring
>>a personal trainer for a few sessions to get me started.
>>
>>Anyone have any ideas or advice from your personal experience on how I
>>can overcome my fears?  Also, how have you dealt with fitness classes?
>>Are instructor's usually pretty good about meeting with you one-on-one
>>at least once before class to go over the moves and terminology they'll
>>be using?
>>
>>Thanks so much!
>>
>>Tonia
>>
>>
>>Have any of you had similar
>>
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