You know that feeling after a great workout? You’ve lifted weights and have worked up a sweat. Now you have that sense of accomplishment since your heart is racing. We all know that exercise is important to keep ourselves physically fit and strong. However, trying to exercise with a disability can be challenging. Even if you can overcome the many challenges, including transportation to the gym, there may not be accessible equipment.

Total Body Fitness may be just the workout solution you want. The online video subscription service gives you the opportunity to exercise from the comfort of your home. The workout website was created by Kristin McNealus, a physical therapist who wanted clients to continue their workout routines once they returned home from the rehabilitation hospital.

McNealus, who has a background in neurological rehabilitation, says, “It was getting more frustrating, with the changes in health care, to be discharging people with a limited number of resources, especially when you want them to continue to get stronger and stay healthy.” She wanted to provide another option for people to get the exercise without having to worry about having a place that’s accessible or finding a way to get there. Every Body Fitness offers a variety of programs that are taught by a team of physical therapists and people with disabilities.

F.A.S.T. Class and Boot Camp

The Fitness and Strength Training Class is a cardio exercise program that gets your heart pumping. The videos average 45 minutes in length and encourage you to keep moving throughout. Additionally, Boot Camp sessions present the workouts in intervals, giving you a chance to rest in between each exercise. Regardless of which videos you watch, the entire program is meant to be done at your own pace and comfort level.

Individuals with disabilities lead the video sessions, and McNealus’ voice can be heard as she gives instructions and motivates you throughout the routines. Some people use three to five-pound weights as they’re exercising. If you don’t have weights, you can use a water bottle and adjust the amount of water to vary the weight.
Julio Castro, a T10 para, is one of the people featured in the videos. The 30-year-old was injured eight years ago in a welding accident. Since working out with Every Body Fitness, Castro has lost 40 pounds. He credits the workouts for his success in staying healthy, and says, “The exercises really work you out!” He likes rocking out to Metallica when he’s working out.

As I was reviewing the Every Body Fitness website for this story, I had the chance to work out with the videos, and it definitely tested my endurance the first time. I only made it through about 15 minutes before I needed to take a break. Although I go to physical therapy each week for an hour to get a combination of stretching and cardio exercise, and I play wheelchair tennis, it is still beneficial to get some additional reps in throughout the week. As I continue with the video series, I’m looking forward to increasing my endurance and building up my strength for activities of daily living and other recreational opportunities.

Denese Edsall, 52, also enjoys working out with the video series. She was born a para and uses a chair for mobility. Edsall was one of the first subscribers to Every Body Fitness nearly four years ago. “I was feeling like my strength wasn’t where it should be, and I felt like I needed something new.” She came across the website by doing an online search, and now she exercises to music by Journey nearly every day.

McNealus is excited to hear success stories from the participants. One lady wrote in saying now she is able to reach above her head to blow dry her hair. “Hearing what people are able to do now that they are exercising is amazing,” McNealus says.

Somasense Yoga

In addition to the intense cardio sessions, people can subscribe to watch yoga classes taught by physical therapist Alex Schang. Schang has taught accessible yoga for people with disabilities for several years, but began working with Every Body Fitness earlier this year. She enjoys teaching yoga since it is another option for wellness.

Depending on your ability, you can stay in your wheelchair, sit in another chair or sit on the floor. As a C5-6 incomplete quad, I appreciated learning the breathing techniques. It has helped my body relax in the evenings when I’m trying to go to sleep.

Schang points out that living life is already stressful, but when you manage the physical and emotional needs, it keeps everything in balance. That is why the program is named “Somasense.” It means to have knowledge of the body, she says.

McNealus and Schang are glad the website caters to a variety of people and offers a range of exercises. It has the strengthening and aerobics, and it also includes yoga techniques. “They all complement each other well,” Schang says.

Several subscription options are available beginning at $25 per month. You can choose different plans depending on your workout goals. To learn more about Every Body Fitness, visit www.scitotalfitness.com.