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Exercise for the visually impaired?

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MarkGeordie

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Type 1
I wondered if anyone on here has any ideas?

Im increasingly having issues with my visual impairment and it’s harder to do things. I’m awaiting a care needs assessment but the last update was my LA have a backlog of 300 people and only 8 occupational therapists.

I’ve noticed my decreasing amount of exercise is causing my weight to increase a bit and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on exercise?
 
If you have space in your home maybe a treadmill or exercise bike would help you.
 
Yes I have been looking at bikes. I thought about one of those mini exercise bikes that I could use while working and watching tv etc.
 
Do you have space for a yoga mat? Doesn't cost much and there are all sorts of exercise routines you can follow online: HIIT, stretching, yoga etc.

Hope you get your care needs assessment soon. 🙂
 
Yes I have space so that could be another option, thank you.
 
How bad is your visual impairment? My wife has stargardts disease and has no central vision and registered legally blind, but she still runs an hour a day along safe spaces - cyclepaths, the park, beach etc
 
It’s not to the extreme, I’m registered partially sighted.

in the last few months I’ve had a few falls in and out of my home so that’s what has increased my anxiety for going out.
 
Does your eyesight quality/level fluctuate? As in, the current level it's at, is it stable or will it improve?
 
It’s stable now and won’t improve. Just got to hope it doesn’t get any worse.
 
That's good news. But also, it throws up another issue as such. You can't stay in your home forever Mark, it's no way to live your life and whilst your eyesight is still present you should try and live it as best you can. I know how hard it is for you, I get it, i'm not being cold hearted, I totally feel for you, but, I think tackling the fear would be more beneficial to you than buying indoor exercise equipment, mentally, physically and financially.

At some point you'll need to break the anxiety. Is there a safe space you can walk or run like a public park where the grass is relatively flat and if you do fall, you won't hurt yourself as much? Perhaps you could get some wrist support straps like skateboarders use so if you do fall your wrists are protected to give yourself some more confidence?
 
I have seen some cycling groups offer tandem trips for visually impaired - a sighted person will ride in the front for the steering but both cyclists have to pedal as hard. I appreciate this requires a tandem and another rider but it has the added benefit of getting out and about with the security and company of someone else.
It looks fun.
 
Hi Mark,

I took a look at the RNIB website and that led me to…

Inclusive Fitness | Activity Alliance

Find an accredited Inclusive Fitness Initiative facility near you.
www.activityalliance.org.uk www.activityalliance.org.uk

There’s an initiative called IFI which gyms can be accredited to. If they are then they have to have staff trained to assist differently abled folks and that includes visually impaired.

Not only that but they also have to have equipment especially designed to facilitate visually impaired folks exercising.

There are other organisations like Blind Sport U.K. who also straddle the physical and the psychological barriers visually impaired people may experience.

It might be worth looking at RNIB and seeing where the Internet path leads. Maybe there’s a local walking group you could join so that you get out and so that your confidence is lifted.
 
I appreciate all the comments from everyone.

I do agree that I need to get over my fear and this is something I need to do because I only go out for medical appointments and do everything else online.

I sill check all the links out.
 
Don’t forget that we’re here for you as well so bounce ideas off us. That includes anxieties around going outside. Sometimes it’s just good to share.
 
Hi Mark,

I'm partially sighted- blind in one eye and central vision in the other- and wondered if using something like lightweight walking poles to walk with would help you. I need crutches to walk as my leg is permanently fractured and I find crutches help me in terms of feeling where kerbs and step edges are as I often trip up or down those and on surfaces where I can't differentiate between levels etc- I have a quick sweep of the area ahead with a crutch and just reassure myself that it's flat. They also help as people hopefully give me a bit of space. It might give you a bit of reassurance to try a walk.

My local pool has disabled swimming times if you qualify with benefits etc and though the pool is only just reopening I find booking a swim at one of the specific times is such a beneficial exercise.

I wish you well getting out.
 
I use an exercise bike during the winter months and usually spend 30 mins on it while listening to the news in a morning. I do it just to keep a bit fitter and not to lose weight.
My wife and daughter are both registered blind, daughter has a guide dog (wife has me as I eat less than a dog!) but daughter manages to go out running with her dog as she's learned how to maintain her balance on uneven ground. I think you ought to grasp the nettle and pluck up courage and start going on a few easy walks around your locality and build on them bit by bit. Apart from the benefits from the exercise, getting out and about would be mentally beneficial.
 
Is there anyone who could accompany you when you went out - a running/walking partner? My neighbour and 2 friends meet up every evening after dinner for a walk/run to keep fit.
 
MarkGeordie said:
Yes I have been looking at bikes. I thought about one of those mini exercise bikes that I could use while working and watching tv etc.
Click to expand...
We had a mini one for a while, it was great. Like you say stick the tv on and just go for it or take it easy.
 
PhoebeC said:
We had a mini one for a while, it was great. Like you say stick the tv on and just go for it or take it easy.
Click to expand...
Any recommendations?
 
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