Holy Impressive: 3 Challenging Wheelchair Cardio Workouts

Cardio is all about getting your heart beating as fast as possible. The harder you get it to beat, the more calories you burn. However, not being able to move your legs makes this a bit more tricky. A massive upper-body workout is a must.

Gone are the arm bikes of old, and in comes some impressive replacement ideas – CrossFit being the main source Whether it’s pulling a tire from behind your wheelchair or doing a rope workout, here are three cardio videos that are sure to blow your mind.

Video #1: Wheelchair Bodybuilder’s Intense Cardio Workout

Brian Simmons is a serious wheelchair bodybuilder, which means he has his own personal trainer. And in this video, he shows a typical cardio workout session with trainer Dalton Hunter. They do a combination of working with ropes, punches, wheelchair pushing and pulling a tire behind his wheelchair.

It’s a pretty a lengthy workout and is definitely CrossFit inspired, and Brian barely busts a sweat. How he does it, we’re not sure, but it’s sure fun to watch a wheelchair-user throw himself so thoroughly into his workout.

Watch: Brian’s Cardio Day with trainer Dalton

Video #2: Zumba Class Taught by Wheelchair-User

JoAnne Fluke may not have a spinal cord injury, but she’s been a wheelchair-user since she was a little girl and fully understands how important it is to still get in her cardio. She is one of the only licensed Zumba instructors in the whole world that uses a wheelchair.

A combination of a aerobics and dancing, Zumba brought a sense of  dance back into JoAnne’s life, which was something she loved to do when she was a little girl. JoAnne teaches both able bodied and disabled students and travels to Zumba conventions around the country. Who knows, maybe she’ll come to your town next.

Watch: Get Your Groove on for a Healthy Heart with ZUMBA FITNESS (Inclusive)

 Video #3: Aussie Paraplegic Demos a Full CrossFit Circuit

Josh, a paraplegic, is serious about his workouts as well, and he’s a big fan of CrossFit; a hardcore workout that involves heavy lifting, pulling and much more.

In this video, he shows a full circuit – it starts with pulling a tire from behind his wheelchair, then he punches a punching bag, and then a medicine ball workout.  Does he make it look easy? Definitely not, and that is why we recommend this video.

Watch: Wheelchair cardio circuit

No matter what you do, getting cardio is easier than you might realize from a wheelchair. All that’s required is low weight and fast reps to get your heart beating again, and the best part – helping you burn fat cells once more.

What’s your preferred way to get cardio?

Watch the videos!

– Wheelchair bodybuilder Brian Simmons does his cardio workout with his trainer

– Zumba class taught by wheelchair-user and licensed instructor JoAnne Fluke

– Australian paraplegic gets a cardio workout by pulling a tire tied behind his chair