Cane and Able Fitness Is Making the Gym Less Intimidating for People with Visual Impairments

Plus, the most important exercises for people with visual impairments to add to their workout routine.

In 2014, a young man named Evan Schwerbrock, at the age of 22, was living an ordinary life. He was a recent graduate in Health Sciences and was employed in the fitness field, where he expressed his love for weight training, maintaining an active lifestyle, and understanding biomechanics. However, during a friendly volleyball match, he noticed something unusual about his vision. "Suddenly, the lights were interfering with my sight," he recollects. After losing track of the ball which led to it hitting him in the face, he realized that something was wrong. Assuming it was an issue with his contact lenses, Schwerbrock scheduled a check-up with an ophthalmologist without being overly concerned. But when he faced difficulty seeing properly while driving on a hazy highway the night before his appointment, barely managing to drive at 30 mph, he understood the gravity of his situation. His check-up led to a diagnosis of a rare genetic condition called Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), as cited by the Cleveland Clinic. This disease causes substantial, permanent loss of vision in both eyes. Within a fortnight from the emergence of the first symptoms, he was classified as legally blind. Nevertheless, Schwerbrock did not allow his visual impairment to hinder his passion for weightlifting and guiding others on their journey to start strength training. In July 2020, he escalated his enthusiasm by establishing Cane and Able Fitness, a digital platform providing adaptive fitness knowledge for visually impaired individuals. Here's a closer look at how Schwerbrock is making fitness more approachable for those with visual impairment, along with his top gym recommendations for visually impaired individuals.

How Cane and Able Fitness Was Born

When Schwerbrock was diagnosed with LHON, he relocated to Chicago to study kinesiology in a master's program. His sister lived nearby and could assist him in getting around the city and adjusting to his new lifestyle, which now included a cane. Eventually, he ventured to Alaska to take on the role of a strength and conditioning coach for the U.S. Army. He soon realized that maintaining physical activity, particularly strength training, was crucial for his mental health. "I aimed to minimize changes to my routine [post-diagnosis] considering the gym was my sanctuary," Schwerbrock elaborates. "The adjustment [to my new life] was swift because I remained consistent." Indeed, even after his condition had escalated to legal blindness, Schwerbrock took part in Strongman competitions (a sport involving a series of strength-oriented tasks). Notably, he clinched the title of Illinois's Strongest Man in his weight class in 2019, demonstrating his resilience and the opportunities that awaited him.

Evan Schwerbrock on adapting to the gym as a legally blind person

In wake of the global health crisis, Evan Schwerbrock recognized the need to share his unique approach to fitness training as a visually impaired individual. Possessing an M.S. in Kinesiology, and certifications from NASM as a personal trainer, strength, and conditioning coach, along with being a functional movement specialist, Schwerbrock has extensive knowledge about physical fitness and gym routines.

However, Schwerbrock faced skepticism about his strength training capabilities due to his visual impairment. This led him to consider the difficulties other visually impaired individuals could face, particularly those who lack his stature or experience in resistance training. "I thought, if questions are being raised about my abilities, despite my qualifications and experience, how much more daunting must it be for others? Especially those who may not have been engaged in strength training for long. How much are they underestimated, either by themselves or others, and how much do they actually know?" he says.

Established in 2020, Cane and Able Fitness serves as a comprehensive platform providing user-friendly information on diverse topics like strength training, nutrition, and mobility among others. Its founder, Evan Schwerbrock ensures the content is straightforward and motivating without appearing condescending to its audience. Cane and Able Fitness has since made significant strides globally by conducting accessibility-focused virtual workshops, seminars, and consultations targeting organizations worldwide. Particularly, Schwerbrock provides invaluable advice to the visually impaired community on how to modify gym-specific exercises to suit their needs and design workout plans that require minimum equipment. This approach facilitates easier setups even in packed spaces. Furthermore, Cane and Able Fitness extends remote coaching services to individuals with visual impairments. Committed to making fitness accessible for all, they consistently produce free resources such as workout regimes or cooking tips. These are shared via the Cane and Able Fitness blog and social media platforms, ensuring the entire community benefits.

Best Fitness Tips for Those with Visual Impairment

Navigating through a busy gym or even at home can feel daunting for an individual with a visual impairment; especially if they're just beginning their fitness journey. Inadequate accessibility and organization in the gym can further contribute to this challenge. Misplaced equipment, unfamiliar machines, or simply the complex layout of the gym can create additional obstacles (and potentially become hazardous) for those with visual impairments. Nonetheless, establishing a consistent exercise routine that incorporates strength training is vital for maintaining good health and promoting independent living for people with visual impairments, suggests Schwerbrock. In this piece, Schwerbrook offers valuable fitness advice for individuals with visual impairments.

Get acclimated to the gym's layout and equipment.

For those new to the gym environment and particularly people with visual impairments, Schwerbrock has developed a complimentary acclimation course for gyms. This includes documentation and instructional YouTube videos, all designed to simplify the gym experience and promote self-reliance during workouts. Schwerbrock's top tip for starting your gym adventure? Dedicate a day to familiarize yourself with the gym layout, take note of the equipment's organization and identify different types of common gym equipment like dumbbells and weight plates (ensure they can be identified by touch instead of sight). It's also beneficial to get to know the gym staff for any extra help you might need while getting used to the space or throughout your membership.

Set up a home workout space.

Working out at home can be more mentally accessible for people with visual impairments, if that's an option. "Since you're especially familiar with your environment, you're not as scared to move around," notes Schwerbrock. Plus, you're able to decide what organization of your space works best for your needs.

Prioritize posture exercises and lower-body strength.

Emphasizing exercises that improve posture and strengthen the lower body is key for individuals with visual impairments. They often adopt a forward-leaning position, necessitating specific training to retract the neck (pulling the head and neck back) and extend the neck (tilting the head backward). Strengthening the rhomboid muscles in the upper back becomes crucial as these individuals tend to hunch more, either to get close to a reading screen or due to less likelihood of making eye contact. Moreover, visually impaired people, particularly cane users, may adopt a "short step" walking pattern. This quad-dominant pattern restricts hip extension, glute activation, and full leg motion to protect themselves from potential obstacles. To counteract these muscle imbalances, it's beneficial to incorporate exercises like Bulgarian split squats with a balancing aid, along with hip flexor stretches.

Strengthen your mind-body connection.

Furthermore, developing your mind-body connection can enlighten you on how various movement patterns should be executed correctly. Schwerbrock suggests that "Tactile cues are crucial", particularly when mirrors or videos are not an option to verify proper form. Familiarize yourself with the sensation of a properly done squat or hip hinge, and the distinctness between them. More importantly, having a reliable support system that can assist you as you navigate through life without unambiguous vision is imperative, but nurturing your independence is equally important, points out Schwerbrock. He adds, "Eventually, it falls upon you to explore these fitness pathways that enable you to maintain your wellness".