"You are not disabled by the disabilities you have; you are able by the abilities you have."
-Oscar Pistorius
Intellectual, mental, and physical disabilities influence various individuals of different religions, ethnicities, gender, culture, and backgrounds. However, the disabled are mostly abandoned and left behind in the wellness and healthcare industry. To participate in society, they constantly face barriers to entry, such as substandard community facilities, lack of knowledge of aides and resources, transport difficulties, and low expectations from peers. To address the issues faced by individuals with disabilities, Special Strong has come to the forefront. By facilitating the disabled community in achieving their sustainable and long-term health goals, Special Strong has not only transformed the lives of many but has also brought a positive change in the fitness and healthcare industry.
We all know the significance of being active to keep us healthy and fit. But for people with special needs or disability, participating in fitness training and physical activity can be challenging. From pre-existing movement constraints, health conditions, and the need for additional help, various other aspects can mean that those suffering from disabilities are more likely to miss out on the multiple advantages that physical activity and adaptive fitness can bring.
Joining adaptive fitness training and getting outdoors for physical activity is an extraordinary method for socializing, finding companions, and meeting new individuals. When disabled people take stride with their friends in a park, take swimming lessons, or join a fitness center, it can do wonders for their mental and physical well-being. When they foster new relationships and increase social interactions by joining fitness centers, their communication skills and overall confidence improves. Physical activity and adaptive fitness not only decrease mental health issues like anxiety, stress, and depression but also assist in providing the body with the right amount of endorphins that lead to enhanced mood.
Disabled individuals who spend most of their time sitting down are more prone to poor blood flow and balance, weakened muscles, and decreased stamina. Incorporating a little amount of physical activity in their routine can assist them in building joint and muscle strength and improving their balance. This will not only prevent them from injuries and accidents but will enhance flexibility, improve overall strength, and decrease the risk of strained muscles. Adaptive fitness training also assists in building bone mineral density, which is vital for reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Besides these, adaptive fitness can also reduce the risk of chronic and deadly diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Fitness training provided by academies like Special Strong can also improve memory and increase brain size, enhance and strengthen lung function and reduce the risk of dementia.
Since its inception in 2016, Special Strong has become a prominent name in the industry because of its innovative scientific methods for fitness for people with physical, cognitive, and mental disabilities, including those suffering from Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Muscular Dystrophy.
Daniel Stein and his wife, Trinity Stein, laid Special Strong's foundation to offer physical fitness training tailored to the needs of adolescents, young children, and adults with disabilities. To better serve the disabled community, Daniel Stein acquired the National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certifications.
Special Strong’s adaptive fitness services include personal training through which it offers private training sessions that are tailored to its client’s special needs. By incorporating group classes in its fitness program, Special Strong helps people build new friendships and improve social skills. They also provide virtual personal training through mobile devices that can benefit individuals who are suffering from physical, mental, and cognitive challenges.
Special Strong is one of the very few fitness centers that provide adaptive aquatic programs and rehabilitation services with the help of its certified trainers. Apart from these services, Special Strong is also known for its adaptive veteran programs and senior fitness programs. Through its adaptive veteran programs, it offers long-term support for veterans who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Its senior fitness programs cater to individuals aged 50 or above to reduce and mitigate the risk of injuries. It also has a program for emotional and mental health fitness, which helps individuals suffering from ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, sensory processing disorders, learning disability, and depression, to name a few.
Previously, individuals with disabilities or impairments had no access to the fitness and wellness industry. Thanks to Special Strong fitness center, physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle are now accessible to everyone. They are providing disabled people with the resources and skills they need to develop physically and psychologically. Additionally, achieving fitness for all is integral to a community and is a fundamental human right of individuals. Through its services, Special Strong has not only promoted inclusivity but has also improved the quality of life of individuals with special needs.
Special Strong may not be able to eliminate every single obstacle that an individual with disability faces, but it can provide them with an environment and setting that is inclusive, accessible, supportive, helpful, and welcoming.
