[Sportsandrec] Statistics on Fitness in Blind Community

Mon Aug 6 12:42:42 UTC 2012

I want to make some other comments and observations.  First of all America 
is fat!!!  They say on the news that obesity is almost epidemic! So the 
blind comunity is right in line with the rest of the country...just perhaps 
the stats are a little higher.  I haven't had any sight for a few years but 
it always would amaze me when going to the mall or some other public place 
how many overweight people and I mean young people there were.  It is to the 
point that if you go into a store looking for clothing the racks are full of 
the larger sizes and its sometimes hard to find anything in a smaller size.
I attended national in Orlando last year and was really disapointed in the 
number of people who attended the sports and rec meeting.  I attended sevral 
meetings covering a variety of topics and interests and the S and R meeting 
was by far the smallest group!
 Now here is where I am gonna piss some of you off.
I am hearing lots of excuses and some of you are just making this more 
complicated than it is.  You don't need a gym. You don't need accessable DVD 
or audio programs and you don't need a personal trainer to get into better 
shape. You just need to really want to do it rather than talk about it. 
Now bare in mind that I am and have been a personal trainer for nearly 30 
years and I am still saying you don't need me or someone like me.  Now if 
your interest is in weight training or going to a gym, then you do need a 
professional to get you started right. Otherwise you can easily injure 
yourself. The trend in fittness the last few years has been twords 
"functional movements" what this means is doing things that are of real 
value in the real world.  In other words,walking, climbing, rowing etc.  I 
can go into the gym and leg press close to 1000lbs but how useful is that in 
the real world?
Everyone can walk and walking is the most natural form of exercise there is. 
We all know how to do a "deep knee bend" or a pushup or a sit up.  Nothing 
complicated. You can create a very effective training program just based on 
those three movements.
The subject of finances has been mentioned and blind people can't aford gyms 
and trainers etc.  Funny how many little tecky gadgets most blind people 
have found the funds for.  Ricky is correct. many insurance co.s offer a gym 
membership free of charge to their clients. If you do join a gym and are not 
expeirianced with the strength training equiptment, talk with who ever is in 
charge of the trainers. Explain your situation and ask if they can offer you 
any kind of a discount.  The economy is not great and luxurys like personal 
training are the first thing people cut so you might find a trainer who is 
happy to do a few sessions for well below the former market price.  If you 
are intereested in taking some of the classes weather it be spinning or 
whatever ask if you can set up a meeting with the instructor  prior to 
starting the class.  That way they can guide you through things a bit and 
they will be awaire that you are there and will hopefully keep an eye in 
your direction.
If you go to a commercial gym try to go in the off hours just to make it 
easier to navigate. Most people in gyms are friendly and helpful and will 
actualy try to help you too much sometimes. If they see you in there at the 
same time pretty regularly they will get to know you and be there for you. 
You might be surprised how easily you might end up with a workout partner.
This may sound cold but honestly some of you spend too much time talking 
about why you can't rather than just trying.
When I first joined this list I offered my help with exercise and nutrition 
to anyone on the list at no cost of course and got virtually no takers yet I 
hear people out there saying "I am blind...what can i do?"
Now get off your computors and go take a walk or climb some stairs or do 
some pushups!

Bill Kociaba
CRUISEONE
Bill at Ycruise.com
954 227 7772 or Toll Free 877 227 7775
7600 Wiles Rd, Coral Springs, FL 33067
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Zeeshan Khan" <zeek786 at gmail.com>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 2:46 AM
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Statistics on Fitness in Blind Community

>I think a personal trainer can be a bit expensive and given the limited
> budget of visually impaired / blind people, it can be somewhat hard. I do
> like the idea of putting a kit / tip sheet together that will help 
> visually
> impaired / blind people to start becoming fit. In my experience as a
> visually impaired person, I can say that you do not need a gym. I think 
> the
> people that do stay active can put together a tip sheet or some material
> for their fellow visually impaired/ blind people to get them started on
> exercising.  I think we can help each other, by providing detailed
> instructions on how different exercises are done, different routines etc.
> This would save a lot of money that would have been spent on a personal
> trainer. Let's do this guys, lets help each other out in getting active!
>
> Sincerely,
> Zeeshan
>
> On Sun, Aug 5, 2012 at 7:56 PM, Carly Mihalakis 
> <carlymih at comcast.net>wrote:
>
>> Evening, sports&rec list
>>
>> My totally blind partner and I go to the local health club where we
>> participate in 60-90 minute indoor cycling classes, we usually do one in
>> the morning and one in the evening.
>> If you try spin, be sure to go to class early and speak with the
>> instructor about what you need, to benefit maximally, from spin. Now, I 
>> eat
>> whatever I want, and I'm in pretty good shape I think.
>> Let us know of any questions about spin, okay?
>> I know there are folk like Kelly and others, who are also regular 
>> spinners
>> and hopefully, they jump into this?
>> for today, Car:
>>
>>> That is a good point, and it explains why so many people stay at home.
>>>
>>> It all comes down to low expectations that blind people have had put on
>>> them right from their formative years.
>>>
>>> I, for one, am working on this issue. Although it's not always easy, I 
>>> am
>>> doing my part by going to a fitness centr at least 3 times a week.
>>>
>>> I also think there are other reasons for blind/visually impaired people
>>> not working out at all. For one thing, if you try to get a DVD, you 
>>> can't
>>> really follow the workout because you don't know the nature of the 
>>> moves.
>>> You need someone to explain the moves so you can do them.
>>>
>>> Yes, income does play a factor, since many people can't afford to join a
>>> gym. My hope is that this will lead to a discussion of what we can do 
>>> about
>>> this.
>>>
>>> I'd like to make a few suggestions along this line. If you're tech 
>>> savvy,
>>> go on the Internet and look for downloadable workouts that you can play 
>>> on
>>> your Victor Reader Stream or other accessible mp3 player. Many of them 
>>> cost
>>> anywhere from $1 to $15.
>>>
>>> Also, look for simple tools, either around your house or at a sports
>>> store, that you can buy and use. I am looking into cycle trainers, which
>>> are small bike-like units that are pedals on a stand, and you use any 
>>> chair
>>> at home. That way, I can still exercise, even if the weather doesn't
>>> cooperate with me.
>>>
>>> I'm interested in reviewing various downloadable workout programs, both
>>> to look at their quality, and to find out how good they are at 
>>> explaining
>>> things. Some are targeted to the blind community, while others are aimed 
>>> at
>>> the general market.
>>>
>>> Finally, I'd like to see a kind of tip sheet or tool kit put together
>>> that can give suggestions on how blind/visually impaired people can work
>>> with fitness instructors. I think we had an issue of Future Reflections
>>> dedicated to this a couple of years ago, but I'm sure others have
>>> additional thoughts.
>>>
>>> I wish to commend those of you who are getting physically active. You 
>>> are
>>> setting a good example, and I thank you for it.
>>>
>>> So, does anyone else out there have insights on why the blind community
>>> has not become physically active and what to do about it? Thanks
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
>
> -- 
> Zeeshan Khan
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