Prior to the London 2012 Olympics, less than 1% of the British Population could name a Paralympian. This week, Jonnie Peacock came third in the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year. The two-time Paralympic Champion who had his right leg amputated below the knee as a five year old after contracting meningitis, also become a household name thanks to BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. He became the first disabled contestant in the show’s history and had a mission to prove that he could be just as good as the other celebrities.
Speaking of why he was participating in the dancing show, the sprinting legend said:
“People looking at this wouldn’t necessarily think that an amputee could dance. They’re not going to lift, to move very well. I came out of my medical and the doctors goes ‘How are you with lifts? Are you stable on two feet?’ I do athletics, I do sprinting, I box step up where I single left step up on to a box with 240 kilos on my back so I’ll probably be OK. And the doctor said, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you could do that.’ So it’s showing people what you can do. When I was younger, I wanted to hide it. I didn’t want to be seen as different. What I want people to get from the show is that I’m no different…Hopefully there will be people at home who watch it and take away something. People go through dark times and seeing somebody do something can lift them up.”
Just like the Paralympics, it’s the likes of shows like Strictly that can really help break the stigma surrounding debilities and that those who do have a disability can have all the same opportunities as an able bodied person. With Peacock also hoping to encourage younger generations and others who suffer with a disability, the fitness industry are also developing the technology to make it easier for those who wish to keep fit!
The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) set out 10 years ago to support centres to become more welcoming and accessible to disabled people. The IFI mark is key in help address equality in sport and fitness as it enables facilities to reach the currently inactive populations and help raise awareness of the benefits of exercise.
In order to get the IFI accreditation, the equipment must meet the IFI Equipment Design Standards to ensure it is fully inclusive and enables both disabled and able bodies customers to benefit from a full body cardiovascular and resistance-based workout. The IFI currently has over 100 accredited items from 15 different manufacturers and luckily for activeNewham members, a couple of our suppliers, Life Fitness and Leisure Lines are two of those! The items have been tested by abled and disabled people and approved by industry experts.
During our Balaam and Newham refresh, we have a selection of disable-friendly equipment to ensure there really is something for everyone! Life Fitness
Life Fitness Recumbent Bike & Bike
The recumbent bike is ideal for those who prefer to take a seated position. The easy design makes it suitable for all exercisers, both disabled and able bodies. With the pedals specially designed to keep your feet in place and tactile seat position marking allow for visually impaired users to easy identify and change the seat position.
The bike is similar to the recumbent bike but without the more seated position. With an added platform alongside, the step-up height is reduced allowing access to both disabled and able bodied users. Like the recumbent bike, the pedal features a heel strap to keep feet in place and the coloured seat adjustment allows visually impaired used to easily locate the seat height adjustment as well as the High Contrast Resistance Control makes it easier for users to identify the resistance adjustments.
Life Fitness Treadmills
Filled with LifespringTM shock absorbers, working out on a Life Fitness Treadmill is a more comfortable work out than those that don’t benefit from these shock absorbers. Visually impaired users can easily control the commands due to the embossed controls and domes switches. Simple things such an increased logo size and an added logo on the running belt itself indicates to users that the treadmill is in operation. Like the bikes, an additional platform makes it easier for all users to access the treadmill.
Inclusive Dual Adjustable Pulley
The inclusive dual pulley is a great gym addition as it alone provides 225 different exercise options alone. High contrast weight stack labels help those visually impaired users to determine the weight increments and pin placement. The pulley handles and ergonomically shaped adjustments are easily distinguishable and users can adjust the pulley height with one hand. There’s also stability handles to allow users to steady themselves and handles fold in when they’re not in use.
These are just a handful of the equipment that was be available in the leisure centres, suitable for both disabled and able bodied members. The World Para Athletics Championships in London sold more tickets than the SEVEN previous editions of the event combined- a fantastic feat for the event! It’s been a miraculous turn around over the last five years and hopefully one that will continue to keep momentum moving on the popularity of disability sports and para- athletes.
For more information on how to get involved in disability sports in Newham, please click HERE.
