Blog: “I have pretty much taken over the garden with football nets”
During this uncertain time, Activity Alliance remains committed to ensuring disabled people can be and stay active. We are especially mindful that there will be even more disabled people and people with long-term health conditions, who feel isolated and less active. Our #StayInWorkOut blogs will explore the different ways disabled people are moving and staying active, while at home.
Activity Alliance is proud to support Sport England's new Join the Movement campaign. It gives people fun and creative ideas on how to get active in and around their home.
There are many ways to continue enjoying an active lifestyle. This includes adapting activities so everyone in the household, disabled and non-disabled, can take part together, or on their own. We’ll be sharing ways people are making the most of their space and equipment at home.
Today we hear from footballer Bryan. He tells us how he’s taken over the family garden with his football challenges.
Bryan's blog
Hi, my name is Bryan and I’m 13 years old. I usually exercise two to three times a week. I play football in Manchester for CP United on Saturdays. I also train for my Doncaster team on Thursday evenings and Sundays. I also do extra strength and conditioning sessions during the week to help my right side Hemiplegia Cerebral Palsy.
Due to the current situation (COVID-19) I have been staying active at home and doing football challenges with my dad.
Watch Bryan doing his football challenges in his garden.
I have enjoyed the challenge of setting training sessions at home. I have an exercise bike and a football based strength and conditioning DVD I can do indoors. For my outdoor activity, I try and replicate what I do in training. I also add a few personal challenges to push myself. Check out Bryan’s football challenges on Twitter.
I have some great support at home, if I am in doors my sister helps with the exercise bike and also joins me for the TV workouts. My dad helps me set up the football challenges outside. I really enjoy setting new challenges and trying to beat them. I also like seeing what other footballers are doing at home and either copy or adapt their activities to suit me.
I have pretty much taken over the garden with football nets, cones and other football items, to keep me fit. I enjoy being outdoors and using this space. The activities I have been doing at home have mainly been individual activities. I do miss my teammates and coaches but we have all been in contact over social media and helping each other with fun activities to do.
Right now, finding different ways to stay active while at home keeps me motivated. It also makes me more excited to meet up with my teammates and coaches. I’m really looking forward to getting back to some competitive games but most of all seeing my friends.
Moving more together as a family has kept me focussed. My advice is to find an activity you enjoy, then try an adapt it to suit you. Set mini achievable challenges for yourself. Then challenge family members to take part. Don’t forget to keep connected too. Share your challenges, activity ideas with your friends and family. I find sharing my ideas keeps me motivated. Also, keep it simple. I do most of my activities with a ball, a few cones and a wall. So, most activities can be made easier. Even indoors you can make it fun. Get creative as you want!
Support on being active at home
If you are not as active as you would like to be or you know someone who isn't, visit our being active at home page to find a list of exercise advice, workouts, videos and activity guides for disabled people.
Join the movement and share your own experiences of being active at home:
- Use the hashtag #StayInWorkOut on social media to share your accessible exercises
- Don't forget to tag us in on Twitter, find us at - @AllForActivity
