Working Out Blind...

[hou059]

I have a client comming in Saturday afternoon with his wife, I am going to give them a first workout. This will be a different workout from what I am used to giving. The husband is blind. Needless to say, this will be a first for me. I know for starters it will be a very hands on workout. Any ideas? :confused:

[Only13]

All I can say is ry to saty away from most free weight excercizes. That could be dangerous

[Cort]

Naw, free weights are fine as long as he has someone watching him. Start with the bar and help him get his form down first, after that you can start adding plates. You don't really need to see anything once you have the form down.

[LifterMike]

Yea I'd have to agree here, only thing I'd worry about is maybe squats, becuase you can lose your sense of balance, heh kind of ironic though, a blind bodybuilder thats an oxymoron in a way, unless of course he's looking more for a aerobic fitness related workout?

[hou059]

He is a pretty strong guy. He performed 50 pushups on the muscular endurance portion of his assessment which is was scored as excellent. he has a pretty good build, lil bit of a gut but he was pretty active and worked out before he lost his sight. The thing is not so much the free weight exercises but more of the aerobic aspect. During a dynamic workout I can't say "Give me three laps around the room! or ask him to step for three minutes ya know...it really limits my options. They are comming in tomorrow afternoon, I'll let yall know how it goes. It'll be a great challenge!

[Cort]

Jumping jacks, jump rope (I think this'd be ok, you don't really "need" to see the rope...), supersets of push-ups and crunches, stairmaster, punching bag (hopefully no innocent bystanders get hurt ) etc...

You "could" ask him to step for 3 minutes if you want to. Once he's in position and knows where it is I don't think that'd be a problem.

[speedbag]

Just a few thoughts from the front about helping the visually impaired:

Perhaps it would help to have some "sighted guide" mobility training for the visually impaired. I am sure he and his wife can help you (if THEY know, which you can not count on..)

there is a very specific system of touch and leading communication between a visually impaired or totally blind person and their "sighted guide" for mobility purposes. This includes going through single and double doors that open in or out, narrow spaces, crowded or cluttered areas, theatre isles, steps with and without handrails, and crossing streets.

http://www.lowvision.org/orientation...ty_trainin.htm

http://www.tsbvi.edu/recc/om.htm

If you are near any of these V.A. hospitals, their mobility staff may also help you with some "hands on" information

http://www1.va.gov/blindrehab/page.cfm?pg=8

But don't assume a blinded individual will want you to grab him and push or pull them in the right direction. Nobody likes that, blind or seeing.