Vision

At first, the idea of working out with a visually impaired person sounds nearly impossible. While it’s true that some workouts are not appropriate for blind people, a blind person can still stay active with a patient guide and workouts and exercises that work with verbal cues and guidance. Learn ways to change certain workouts to lead verbally, and you can help a person with low vision gain self-confidence through exercise and a dedication to fitness.

Choose Appropriate Workouts

Consider the difference between aerobics and weightlifting. Aerobic workouts are typically led by an instructor at the front of the class, with little in the way of instruction. Weightlifting can be done through verbal instruction, allowing your visually impaired friend to move at his own pace. Avoid types of workouts that must be seen to be followed, concentrating on verbal cues and touch instead. Ask your friend about the types of workouts he enjoys in order to choose workouts that he is comfortable with.

 

After choosing a variety of workouts that are appropriate for person with low vision, you may need to adapt some of the exercises to allow for your charge’s limitations. For instance, jogging can be accomplished by using a lead runner who pulls a rope for the visually impaired athlete to hold onto for guidance. Hiking can be done with well-worn trails, and weightlifting can be accomplished using a diligent spotter and plenty of verbal instructions. As you do our own workout, consider what it would be like to do it without sight.

Offer Verbal Cues

The way you issue verbal cues could mean the difference between a good workout and a frustrating experience for both of you. Carefully explaining the surroundings and the location of various pieces of exercise equipment can help your friend feel more comfortable in her surroundings. Offer detailed instructions on how to complete certain exercises, including the orientation of your visually impaired friend’s body and an explanation of form and movement.

Allow Independence

While you may be willing to help your friend while exercising, it’s important that he, as a seeing impaired individual, maintain independence and learn to do certain things on his own. Annie Sawicki, a swimming coach for Notre Dame University, says that allowing visually impaired competitors to maintain independence can improve their performance. Help your friend build up his confidence by working out together and allowing him to make decisions, gather equipment and lead some workouts.

Use Touch

The sense of touch is often used as a stand-in for those with low vision. Show your friend the correct form for certain exercises by allowing her to touch your arms and legs to check their positioning. By offering touch-sensitive workout equipment you can give your friend the freedom to workout on his own. Choosing rubberized dumbbells or resistance bands with raised numbers for weights and resistance levels can help your friend choose the right weight quickly for less frustration. Access World, a website for the technology and the visually impaired, suggests using braille labels for “Start” and “Stop” so your friend can also use exercise machines at the gym.