Needing Self-help strategies

I am physically handicapped and can't use my legs at all but almost every exercise program I've ever seen has had more leg stuff than anything else. I know I NEED to exercise and that maybe it would help some of my other issues, but I can't get motivated and when I finally get motivated it's hard to find an exercise program that I can actually do the whole thing and make it fun enough to want to do more often. Please help!

what aobut swimming

I have a friend who is taking 'chair yoga' and 'chair zumba' classes. She also has mobility issues.

How would I go about finding a 'chair yoga' class. Lulu?

Might want to call your local gym to see if they have one. Also check with any yoga studio in your area. If they don't have the class they may know someone who does.

Thank you.

Nala,

There is an ergometer (ergometer is the scientific name for an exercise machine) that works arms only. It is like a bike, but the pedals are operated by the hands and not feet. I have seen it at my local 24 hour fitness.

There is also aquatherapy - if you look for a swimming pool, ask about aquatherapy in addition to swimming. People walk in water using floatation devices - even people who cannot walk on dry land; people also do resistance exercises in the water, so it counts as strength training. Finally, there are aquaaerobics classes. Most class participants are obese - you would not feel like an oddball there. And, there is aqua physical therapy that may be covered by insurance.

Thank you

I forgot to add that the pool I go to has plastic wheelchairs and a ramp, so wheelchair-bound folks can get into the water. We also have many elderly folks who use a walker on dry land but swim like fish!

I use to go to an adaptive swimming place, but I don't know if it is around anymore and most of the gyms here aren't really equipped for me so I'm really gonna have to do some heavy research one day on this.