First I just want to say:

1. I have a fairly low injury level. L3-L4. So I can use my whole upper body, and I can move my hips a little bit.
2. Before, I was able to transfer onto the floor, then get back into my chair, and even climb up stairs. Over the last two years I have somehow lost nearly 30 pounds, and now I feel weak. I can't get on the floor anymore or go up stairs. I can still transfer, but since my surgery (happened in April), when I transfer, I barely clear it. Like I can get momentum, but my butt will still graze whatever I am transferring on to. Its kind of hard to explain, lol.

So I was just wondering if anyone knew of any exercise machines for wheelchair users that work well. I have heard that you can't get rid of a para belly, but since I have a low injury level, I thought that it would be easier to "tame" it? I don't have a bad one, but I just would like to tone it more. I also just want to be able to have more strength and work on my arm muscles so that I will be able to get back on the floor again, because I really miss it! I do have an indoor heated pool, but I would like more "variety". The room in front of the pool room is our exercise room, but we don't have any equipment in it, so it is about time to add to to it!

Thanks in advance everyone

i am looking for one also,have a look at the reck motomed,thats wot i used in the hospital

Hi Beautiful,
I had the same problem with a para belly but I now use the Motomed every day and I see a great difference. Lucky you having a pool, I go swimming once a week and I find that helps too. But the Motomed is the answer for losing that para belly.

The Motomed looks like all it does is move your legs around. I suspect she's looking for a system that exercises her upper body.

I know for me since I'm a complete para the only thing the motomed would do for me is increase flexibility, not strengthen anything or tighten up my stomach.

I've always wanted one of those Apex Challenge Circuit 7000 machines. It's got all of the major muscle groups covered while you stay in your chair.

The Bowflex Versitrainer looks really good too.



But really the easiest way to start is probably to get yourself some freeweights and do whatever you can from your chair and maybe even lying down in bed. I don't see a need to spend thousands of dollars only to find out that the machine you bought will just gather dust in a spare room. Try working out regularly with the chaep stuff and if you find you need and want more then spend the money on the expensive equipment.

Forget spending money (well other than a few dollars!) Buy a couple of tins of baked beans and use them for a while to exercise your arms and upper body. Also use your own body weight, lifting your behind off your chair, face down pushing up off the floor etc.

There are loads of ways to gain strength without parting with money for it. Save it for your dog rehab centre!! Look out Cesar.

I used the Bowflex Versatrainer at SCI-Step a couple of months ago. It does give you a good upper body workout and there's various exercises you can do with it but, I can't use it by myself because I can't reach the weight bands to add or subtract weight between exercises. I would like to have something that I could use by myself. The Apex looks like it would do the trick but, it's very expensive.

I have someone building me a mat table and I'm going to use it with dumbells and see how that works. I will also be able to use the mat table for stretching and various other exercises. I've tried this in my bed but, I just tend to sink into it.

Of course, I can't do any of this until I have my surgery to hopefully get rid of some of this pain I'm having.

Oh my gosh! Okay, so when I was going to physical therapy a few years ago I always did those, and you TOTALLY just reminded me of them! My therapist and I called them "dips". Thanks for saying that, because it totally made me remember the exercises I did in my chair back then.

Just got home from rehab and they are having me use therabands for resistance in my arms for at-home exercises. Also, using the smaller weights and all kinds of weird moves to target the different muscles. I can already tell my arms are getting stronger.

The stationary saratoga hand cycle is always good for building up endurance and strength is used with the resistance.

Lifting myself in my chair really works my arms.. It was so hard at first, now its second nature...Im not sure how you would do it without brakes though, I mean it can be done but not as efficient if your having to compensate for lack of brakes. I do "push ups" in my chair all the time.. more than anything just to relieve the pressure but Ive noticed if I put my hips into it and do the wiggle it starts working the obliques, and if you can thrust that should help with abs..

You should be able to find a good few fellas willing to help with that hip swivelling thrusting stuff Ches.

Personaly....I had to stop all exercise last year as my main problem now is degenartive neck vertebrea.......any exercise was just making the condition worse.
But for years and years prior.....just used a plain old multi gym,(15min twice a day) vigourous pushing, swimming and active court games such as badmington and tennis.
Trouble is.......don't give you much time for anything else...hahahahahaha

Guy's comment one day
Gee Dave, didn't realise you were so strong.
Gave him a puzzled stare.
You just lifted your whole body weight off the floor, up to your chair, then threw and twisted it round down onto the seat.
So whats normal for you is abnormal for bi-peds.

So we are realy supermen in disquise.

I got myself a Physio Plinth and some free weights about two months after I left hospital. You really can't beat the plinth and some weights, plus its not as expensive as the Versatrainer.