A man who was left wheelchair bound by a degenerative condition has launched his own fitness business and DVD aimed specifically at wheelchair users.
Determined to do more
Kris Saunders-Stove created Wheely Good Fitness after he became confined to a wheelchair and was determined to not become ‘trapped in his home’. Initially, Kris completed a gym and fitness instructor qualification and became a disability programmer.
However, he realised that there were very few fitness classes designed specifically for wheelchair users. To rectify this, he launched his own business and designed fitness programmes that would be suitable for people with disabilities.
Lack of options
Kris recalls: “My initial response to the idea of using a chair was not polite or positive. However, after having to use one to attend an event, I realised my stubbornness was foolish as using a wheelchair meant that there was so much I was able to do again.
“Disability affects everyone differently – people face their own challenges within the class environment and beyond”
“But it also made me realise how little is available to wheelchair users who seek to improve their pushing abilities and fitness levels. What was on offer was extremely tame and more of a token gesture when compared to the choices available to able-bodied clients, which for me was extremely frustrating.
Something for everyone
Kris has come up with a range of classes suitable for all levels of participants, including Wheel-Fit, Aero-Fit, Wheel-Spin and an MS and Gentle Mobility class. The classes are designed so that they are fully inclusive and suitable for everyone. They’ve proven so popular that he has now launched his own fitness DVD so more wheelchair users can enjoy fitness and exercise, whatever their abilities.
Kris added: “Disability affects everyone differently – people face their own challenges within the class environment and beyond. It is important that those taking part are not over-worked as they need to be able to function after classes.”
Challenging perceptions
Kris hopes that by running these classes and launching his DVD he will be able to challenge perceptions within the fitness industry. His ultimate aim is for all major leisure centres to have a specialised disability instructor and fully adaptive equipment.
To find out more or to purchase the Wheel-Fit DVD visit Kris’s website here.
