Stay ActiveA-Z of activities - H
Handcycling
Handcycling is a means of propelling a wheelchair by attaching gears and handlebars. The handcycle is powered by the person pedalling with their arms. Handcycles can be used in much the same way as bicycles - for getting around, for trips into the countryside, for touring or for racing.
More information on handcycling
- Handcycling Association Of The United Kingdom
- www.handcyclinguk.org.uk
Health Clubs
Picture courtesy of Inclusive Fitness Initiative
With over 6000 health clubs and gyms in the UK it is easy to find somewhere local to exercise. Facilities vary between clubs, but often include gyms, aerobic studios, swimming pools, saunas and spas. Exercise classes can range from yoga and pilates to high impact aerobics and kick-boxing, enabling you try a wide variety of activities. Listed below are details of some of the leading health club chains in the UK.
- Cannons Health Clubs
- www.cannons.co.uk
- David Lloyd Leisure
- www.davidlloydleisure.co.uk
- Esporta Gyms
- www.esporta.com
- Fitness First Health Clubs
- www.fitnessfirst.com
- LA Fitness Gyms
- www.lafitness.co.uk
- LivingWell Health Clubs
- www.livingwellclubs.com
- Virgin Active Health Clubs
- www.virginactive.co.uk
- If you prefer to exercise at home, read the Exercises For People With MS pages
- Order a copy of the MS Trust's DVD Move it for MS!
Horseriding
There are riding schools approved by the British Horse Society throughout the country allowing beginners the opportunity to learn the basics of horsemanship and safety. For riders with more experience, there is a network of bridleways or an extensive programme of competitions for the more ambitious.
As new riders will know, riding a horse or a pony can cause aches in muscles that you didn't know you had. For people with mobility problems, this movement in potentially underused muscles can be utilised by a physiotherapist. This is the basis of hippotherapy or therapeutic riding.
The Riding For The Disabled Association provides riders and carriage drivers with professional tuition tailored to their personal needs. The RDA works with physiotherapists and other health professionals to encourage individuals to aim for attainable goals whilst enjoying time spent with horses.
Dressage, which is a French term meaning training, involves guiding a horse through a series of complex manoeuvers by slight movements of the rider's hands, legs, and weight. Para Dressage is open to all riders with disabilities who are graded according to their level of impairment. If the huge success of the British Para Dressage team at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008 has inspired you to compete, British Dressage and the Para Dressage Training Trust can provide more information.
Carriage driving is particularly useful for people who can no longer ride due to disability or prefer a different kind of challenge. It has been a significant part of the RDA since 1975 and there are now almost 100 groups involved giving opportunities to over 1000 drivers.
Open Door article on hippotherapy
- British Horse Society
- www.bhs.org.uk
- Riding For The Disabled Association
- www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk
- Para-equestrian Dressage
- www.britishdressage.co.uk/para-equestrian/para-equestrian_dressage
- Para Dressage Training Trust
- www.pdtt.org