Activity: Handbike Used in conjunction with: General Purpose Gripping Aid Beneficial for: Increasing strength in arms; increasing stamina and cardio; overall fitness Static handbike machines are great for wheelchair users and those who struggle with treadmills or regular exercise bikes, as they allow you to work up a sweat, get a good, fitness-based workout and … Read more
Activity: Cable & pulley machines Used in conjunction with: D-Ring Aids Beneficial for: Increasing strength and muscle tone in arms and shoulders; maintaining suppleness and flexibility of joints; increasing stamina Cable and pulley machines are ideal for wheelchair users as you can often set them up at whatever height you want and do the exercises … Read more
Activity: Weights machines Used in conjunction with: Looped Exercise Aids Beneficial for: Increasing strength, power and muscle tone in arms, shoulders and upper torso Weights machines can often be tricky for disabled gym goers to access, as most of them do not have removable seats, and so being able to use them will depend on … Read more
Free weights are the bread and butter of many people’s trips to the gym, especially if disability has meant that ‘leg day’ is permanently skipped! When this is the case, building up strength in your arms becomes absolutely essential, as having the strength and ability to lift yourself, do various transfers and push a wheelchair can often be the difference between complete independence and having to rely on others.
At the start of last year I wrote an article titled, ‘Getting Active With Active Hands’. It was all about promoting fitness and health; encouraging people of all abilities to get to the gym, push themselves and be as active as possible; taking inspiration from the fact that 2016 happened to be a Paralympic year. … Read more
As previously reported, a few months ago Active Hands was selected as one of five UK based businesses who would have the exciting opportunity to take our unique product to the Pitch at The Paras event in Rio where we could showcase it to high profile individuals and members of the Brazilian disability aids market. … Read more
Mandip is one of the stalwarts of disability sport and is about to take part in his 3rd Paralympics for Team GB. Recently he was good enough to take some time out of his busy schedule and answer a few questions I put to him over Facebook: Mandip Sehmi Spinal cord injury level, cause of … Read more
Today we bring you the story of Australian swimmer Rachael Watson. She has competed in two races so far, 150m individual medley and the Mixed 4x 50m Freestyle Relay, without medalling but has two more races to come this weekend. We wish her all the best. Rachael Watson Rachael was born and raised in Queensland, … Read more
As the Paralympics continues to amaze us all, we would like to bring you the story of Active Hands’ user, Zak Madell: Zak was born in the Canadian province of Alberta but now resides in neighbouring British Colombia. When he was 10 years old he lost his fingers and legs to a septic staph infection. … Read more
With the Olympics now wrapped up and the Paralympics about to explode into action, excitement around the globe is spreading as the eyes of the world once again turn to Rio. After an initial slow start to ticket sales, a sudden surge has meant that over a million have now been acquired by eager spectators … Read more
