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Featured Question

What tips do you have for staying fit for people with fading vision?

Staying active and continuing to exercise is vital no matter what your level of sight. Many forms of exercise can be easily adapted for those with low vision. Ana Cohen is a volunteer exercise instructor at Braille Institute’s Rancho Mirage Center. In addition to her wonderful work with us, she is also an instructor and lecturer for the Arthritis Foundation. She is an avid fitness enthusiast and her popular 90-minute class has something for everyone; her students range in age from 19 to 93! Here are some of Ana’s tips for staying fit despite low vision:

• Start off slowly. Stretch before and after exercise.
• Do whatever you can, even if it’s seated in a chair at first.
• Exercise with a partner, creating responsibility and accountability.
• Do your exercise at a time when you have the most energy. Ideally try to exercise at the same time every day.
• Label your barbells with raised dots, puff paint or notches to identify different weights.
• Hop on a tandem bike with a sighted partner and do some cycling to stay fit.
• Swimming is great exercise and lane lines provide excellent contrast for those with low vision.
• Do something aerobic. Raise your arms above your heart to increase the metabolism and get fit faster.
• Breathe deeply. In through the nostrils, out through the mouth.

• Joint flexibility and mobility
• Added muscle strength
• Bone strength
• Improved posture
• Increased balance
• Improved cardiovascular health and circulation
• Reduced stress
• Weight control
• Improved sleep and mood

For more information about fiddling Braille Institute fitness classes in your area, call 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553) or visit our Classes at Our Centers page.