Fitness is for everyone. If you want to enjoy exercise, sports or just being active your disabilities shouldn’t stop you. Many people are hesitant to help people with limitations enjoy the same things more able-bodied people can do. Funnily, some of these special needs persons have a greater access to using their bodies than other people. They can be stronger, more technical (meaning they can figure it out faster) or just more willing to put the work in to get better. Those three things and more can make the perfect athlete especially to become a Special Olympics athlete.
In my experience, a special needs adult or child loves encouragement and an entertaining way to learn, goals to work towards and to know where their strengths in the exercises are. This method along with repetition allows them to know what to do, build confidence and helps improving over time, areas they had problems with such as focus, body control, coordination, self- worth and improved social interaction.
Patience is key. Fitness is a long road that takes time to understand how your body deals with new challenges. This challenge can be a bigger obstacle for persons with disabilities or limitations, so having more patience, a creative way to do exercises and a positive attitude towards their willingness to participate makes a world of a difference.
Persons with special needs can work just as hard and need the opportunity to better their fitness like anyone else. It is key to get an instructor willing to work with them who can motivate and modify the workout so they can get the most out of the exercise every time.
Fitness doesn’t stop at going to the gym or the swimming pool though; it is also important to encourage healthier food options as a car can’t run without fuel, neither can the human body. Making sutle changes over time and introducing new food to their meals will show vast improvements in their mood, energy levels and their wellbeing. If you don’t believe me you can find inspiring videos of persons with one leg, no legs or persons with down syndrome giving a 110% performance at a national competition and leaving spectators in awe by their passion and determination.
We all deserve to get fit with a great coach or team backing us up, so let’s get fit together!
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Fitness is for everyone. If you want to enjoy exercise, sports or just being active your disabilities shouldn’t stop you. Many people are hesitant to help people with limitations enjoy the same things more able-bodied people can do. Funnily, some of these special needs persons have a greater access to using their bodies than other people. They can be stronger, more technical (meaning they can figure it out faster) or just more willing to put the work in to get better. Those three things and more can make the perfect athlete especially to become a Special Olympics athlete.
In my experience, a special needs adult or child loves encouragement and an entertaining way to learn, goals to work towards and to know where their strengths in the exercises are. This method along with repetition allows them to know what to do, build confidence and helps improving over time, areas they had problems with such as focus, body control, coordination, self- worth and improved social interaction.
Patience is key. Fitness is a long road that takes time to understand how your body deals with new challenges. This challenge can be a bigger obstacle for persons with disabilities or limitations, so having more patience, a creative way to do exercises and a positive attitude towards their willingness to participate makes a world of a difference.
Persons with special needs can work just as hard and need the opportunity to better their fitness like anyone else. It is key to get an instructor willing to work with them who can motivate and modify the workout so they can get the most out of the exercise every time.
Fitness doesn’t stop at going to the gym or the swimming pool though; it is also important to encourage healthier food options as a car can’t run without fuel, neither can the human body. Making sutle changes over time and introducing new food to their meals will show vast improvements in their mood, energy levels and their wellbeing. If you don’t believe me you can find inspiring videos of persons with one leg, no legs or persons with down syndrome giving a 110% performance at a national competition and leaving spectators in awe by their passion and determination.
We all deserve to get fit with a great coach or team backing us up, so let’s get fit together!
Share this post: