Chair Aerobics
Chair Aerobics For Persons With Diabetes
Persons with diabetes can benefit from aerobics by
practicing an alternative called chair aerobics. Those performing chair
aerobics will have a chance to stay off of their feet and still receive
the same intensity as regular aerobics. Some exercises require a bit
more of an effort than the regular aerobics so you are getting more out
of what you practice. Instructional videos are available online or in
sport shops around the country. Before you begin, please consult with
your doctor before starting a program that might cause problems for your
health. At the same time, inquire of specific exercises that could make
a difference in either your upper or lower body parts.
Stay Off Your Feet
Chair aerobics involve using a chair to do aerobic movements instead of
standing on your feet. As a diabetic, it is essential that you do not
use strenuous movements that may harm you. For example, the standing
knee raises could have some unwanted effects if you were to do them on
your feet. An alternative to knee raises would be the chair aerobic
version of foot bounces. With foot bounces, you can practice balancing
yourself and using your knees to work your abdominal area. Using this
exercise is quite easy, but slow and steady paces are advised for
beginners. After you get the hang of it, look for ways to add more
resistance to your exercises. Integrating strength-building exercises
can guarantee promising results for those of you with little or no tone.
More Resistance
There are other exercises such as the heel-toe momentum, jumping jacks,
arm/heel pushes, and the jump-rope. The heel-toe momentum works your
ankles and calves with consistent movements that require back-forth
stretches. If you decide to use this, you can develop well-toned calves
that you would have with regular aerobics. Using chair aerobics
exercises like the jumping jacks and arm/heel pushes can help develop
your upper body. Upper body movements like these require more focus on
the muscles being used than how fast you move. As it is an aerobic chair
exercise, adding creative angles could give you better results. You
could use elastic bands, for example, to add resistance to the jumping
jack movement that can build your shoulder strength.
These tips are only the beginning to achieving optimal results from
chair aerobic exercises. Instructional videos and online tutorials could
give you more insight into the dynamics of the movements. Learning the
basics and what muscles they affect can make a significant difference in
the results you get. Some of the resistant exercises can be difficult to
start so have someone around to spot you. Do not begin with heavy
weights; the pain can lead to unwanted problems.
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