Gym Pull 1.1 | Adapt to Perform
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Gym Pull 1.1

Session overview

Welcome to "Gym Pull 1.1," the session designed exclusively for wheelchair users seeking an invigorating upper body pull workout! This inclusive and accessible session is all about building your back, biceps, and rear shoulder muscles using a combination of cable and dumbbell exercises. You'll be guided through each exercise with precision and care. From seated cable pulldowns to dumbbell bicep curl, every movement is thoughtfully chosen to target your upper body pull muscles effectively. Get ready to experience the satisfaction of pulling your way to a stronger, more sculpted upper body.

Session details
Whiteboard
Resistance
Pull
Total time of workout
60 minutes
Equipment
Intensity:
Easy
Medium
Hard
00:00:00
1. Band External Rotation Left
Reps: 3 x 15 3 x 15 3 x 15
Exercise 1

Band External Rotation Left

Reps
3 x 15
3 x 15
3 x 15
Description

First, securely attach a band to something that won’t move or break. Be sure to attach it at waist height.

You should position yourself perpendicular from the anchor point with it on your right side and grab the band in your left hand. Bring your elbow in a bent position tucked up to your side and your hand at the same height but rotated inward. Make sure you are far enough away that there is no slack in this position.

This is the starting position.

From here rotate only at the shoulder so the hand comes from an internal rotation to an externally rotated position whilst keeping the elbow tucked in at the side. This is one repetition, now repeat this for the desired amount. Once you’ve done all the reps on one arm, if required in the program and you are able to do so, repeat the exercise and the repetitions with the other arm.

If you have limited gripping ability try using the Active Hands D-Ring Aids and a Carabiner to make this exercise as safe as possible.

Tips

Avoid jutting your head forward or arching your back as the arm moves.
Use the half-kneeling variation of this exercise if you are still having trouble keeping your spine neutral.
To determine which grip feels the greatest on your shoulder, try supinated (palms up), pronated (palms down), and neutral (palms facing).

2. Band External Rotation Right
Reps: 3 x 15 3 x 15 3 x 15
Exercise 2

Band External Rotation Right

Reps
3 x 15
3 x 15
3 x 15
Description

First, securely attach a band to something that won’t move or break. Be sure to attach it at waist height.

You should position yourself perpendicular from the anchor point with it on your left side and grab the band in your right hand. Bring your elbow in a bent position tucked up to your side and your hand at the same height but rotated outward. Make sure you are far enough away that there is no slack in this position.

This is the starting position.

From here rotate only at the shoulder so the hand comes from an internal rotation to an externally rotated position whilst keeping the elbow tucked in at the side. This is one repetition, now repeat this for the desired amount. Once you’ve done all the reps on one arm, if required in the program and you are able to do so, repeat the exercise and the repetitions with the other arm.

If you have limited gripping ability try using the Active Hands D-Ring Aids and a Carabiner to make this exercise as safe as possible.

3. Cable Lat Pulldown
Reps: 4 x 15 4 x 15 4 x 15
Exercise 3

Cable Lat Pulldown

Reps
4 x 15
4 x 15
4 x 15
Description

First, place both cable pulleys high enough so the handles can be reached at full stretch, then grab the handles in each hand with the palms facing forwards and position yourself in the middle of the pulleys.

This is the starting position.

From here pull by bending your elbows down and out to the side until they are by your side or as far as you can. After this, slowly return the arms to the starting position. This is one repetition, now repeat this for the desired amount.

If you have limited gripping ability try using the Active Hands Gripping aids or D-Ring Aids clipped straight into the carabiner to make this exercise as safe as possible.

4. Cable Pulldown
Reps: 4 x 15 4 x 15 4 x 15
Exercise 4

Cable Pulldown

Reps
4 x 15
4 x 15
4 x 15
Description

First, place both cable pulleys high enough so the handles can be reached at full stretch, then grab the handles in each hand with the palms facing inwards and position yourself in the middle of the pulleys.

This is the starting position.

From here pull by bending your elbows down and in front of you until they are by your side or as far as you can. After this, slowly return the arms to the starting position. This is one repetition, now repeat this for the desired amount.

If you have limited gripping ability try using the Active Hands Gripping aids or D-Ring Aids clipped straight into the carabiner to make this exercise as safe as possible.

5. Cable Straight Arm Pulldown
Reps: 4 x 15 4 x 15 4 x 15
Exercise 5

Cable Straight Arm Pulldown

Reps
4 x 15
4 x 15
4 x 15
Description

First, place both cable pulleys high enough so the handles can be reached at full stretch, then grab the handles in each hand and position yourself in the middle of the pulleys.

This is the starting position.

From here, whilst keeping your arms straight throughout, pull your arms down until they are by your side or as far as you can. After this, slowly return the arms to the starting position. This is one repetition, now repeat this for the desired amount.

If you have limited gripping ability try using the Active Hands Gripping aids or D-Ring Aids clipped straight into the carabiner to make this exercise as safe as possible.

6. Dumbbell Shrug
Reps: 4 x 15 4 x 15 4 x 15
Exercise 6

Dumbbell Shrug

Reps
4 x 15
4 x 15
4 x 15
Description

Let's get started by grabbing both your dumbbells and have them hanging by your side with the palms facing inwards towards your body.

This is the starting position.

From here shrug your shoulders up as high as you can, then squeeze them at the top of the movement. As you lower back to the starting position do so slowly rather than just letting your arms drop. This is one repetition, now repeat this for the desired amount.

If you have limited gripping ability try using the Active Hands Gripping Aids to make this exercise as safe as possible.

7. Dumbbell Upright Row
Reps: 4 x 15 4 x 15 4 x 15
Exercise 7

Dumbbell Upright Row

Reps
4 x 15
4 x 15
4 x 15
Description

Let's get started by grabbing both your dumbbells and have them hanging by your side with the palms facing inwards towards your body.

This is the starting position.

From pull the dumbbells up until they are at your shoulders or as high as you can. Then lower back to the starting position slowly rather than just letting your arms drop. This is one repetition, now repeat this for the desired amount.

If you have limited gripping ability try using the Active Hands Gripping Aids to make this exercise as safe as possible.

8. Dumbbell Bicep curl
Reps: 4 x 15 4 x 15 4 x 15
Exercise 8

Dumbbell Bicep curl

Reps
4 x 15
4 x 15
4 x 15
Description

Let's get started by grabbing a dumbbell and have it hanging by your side with your palm facing inwards towards your body.

This is the starting position.

From here curl the dumbbell up, by bending at the elbow until the arm is fully flexed or as high as you can. As you do this rotate your palm so it faces you.

Once done, return the dumbbell back down safely to your side. This is one repetition, now repeat this for the desired amount. Once you’ve done one arm, if required in the program and you are able to do so, repeat the exercise and the repetition with the other arm.

If you find yourself falling sideways it may be better to hold a dumbbell in each hand to counteract the weight.

If you have limited gripping ability try using the Active Hands Gripping Aids to make this exercise as safe as possible.

9. Dumbbell Hammer Curl
Reps: 4 x 15 4 x 15 4 x 15
Exercise 9

Dumbbell Hammer Curl

Reps
4 x 15
4 x 15
4 x 15
Description

Let's get started by grabbing both your dumbbells and have them hanging by your side with the palms facing inwards towards your body.

This is the starting position.

From here curl the dumbbells up, by bending at the elbow until the arms are fully flexed or as high as you can. As you do this keep your palms facing inwards the whole time.

Once done, return the dumbbells back down safely to your side. This is one repetition, now repeat this for the desired amount.

If you have limited gripping ability try using the Active Hands Gripping Aids to make this exercise as safe as possible.