The Access: Inclusive Fitness Equipment


In 2003, I witnessed a man in a wheelchair enter my local fitness club. This man had a bag full of homemade accessories attached to the back of his wheelchair. Numerous grip extensions and custom accessories were created to help assist in adapting to the equipment. For the following hour and a half, more time was spent transferring in and out of his wheelchair and adjusting to the equipment, than actually performing his exercises. His frustrations could be seen from across the gym. Following this observation, 200 fitness clubs across the country were called. All were asked the same question, " I am a wheelchair user looking to workout at your facility. What do you have for me?" The results were staggering. 94% did not offer any accessible equipment. It was imperative a better solution was in need.

I collaborated with several local wheelchair athletes, rented a wheelchair to experience the struggles first hand, and additionally joined a wheelchair football team to learn more about an unfamiliar world. After one month of research, The Access was created.

Comprised of a central tower with two arms extending laterally, each arm rotates 180 degrees independently. Additionally, each arm contains a cart that travels the length of the arm. This configuration allows any user, regardless of their size, shape, or mobility levels to achieve a personalized workout catered to their body type. No longer does the user adapt to the equipment, but the equipment adapts to its user. The Access provides a non-intimidating, seamless interaction between user and machine. The days of pulling pins, pinching fingers, and contorting bodies in awkward positions are gone. All of the touch points are designed in which even the most limited user, an incomplete quadriplegic, can perform an independent workout with ease.

All users, regardless of their abilities, should have accessible means to personal health. It’s time to stop excluding people, and start including them.

Submitted By:

  • Ryan Eder

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