Using a Fitness Center Does Not Have to be an Exercise in Frustration: Tips for People with Mobility and Visual Disabilities

4.4 Equipment Barriers and Solutions

Barriers	Solutions
	Simple/Low cost	Involved / High cost
Spaces between the equipment are too narrow	Ask staff to move one of each type of equipment to the end of the aisle where there is extra floor space	Rearrange equipment to provide 36 inches of clear floor space in front of strength equipment and between aisles of cardio equipment
Strength training equipment is difficult to transfer onto	Ask a staff member to assist you to transfer onto equipment. Use an assistive device, such as a transfer board, to make moving from your wheelchair to the equipment easier	Purchase equipment with removable or swing-away seats to allow a wheelchair user to stay in their chair.
No equipment is available for cardiovascular exercise for someone who can only use their arms	Work with staff to find other ways to increase your heart rate, such as using free weights or pushing wheelchair on the track (if they have one)	Purchase a hand cycle-type ergometer that offers upper body exercise