When Abbie tried adjusting the height of the weight machine she had trouble stabilizing and moving the part. Using one hand, this activity is quite heavy and very difficult to adjust. It took Abbie some extra time to proper place the part at the appropriate height.
Abbie did dumbbell chest press with a free weight. This activity was not too difficult because she picked a weight that was light enough to carry with one arm. This exercise is effective for working out her chest connected to her normal arm but not effective for working out her bicep on the arm with the missing limb. It would be very difficult for Abbie to do this exercise with a barbell.
Abbie did bicep curls with a free weight. This activity was not too difficult because she picked a weight that was light enough to carry with one arm. This exercise is effective for working out her bicep on her normal arm but not effective for working out her bicep on the arm with the missing limb.
Abbie did lateral raises with a free weight. This activity was not too difficult because she picked a weight that was light enough to carry with one arm. This exercise is effective for working out her interior deltoid that is attached to her one arm, but there is not a way to strengthen her interior deltoid that contains the missing limb with this exercise.
Saurabh performed a one-handed dumbbell row. The activity requires a bench to stabilize the legs, core, and feet. However, this exercise is dangerous if performed with only one arm; normally, the second arm is to be placed flat on the bench for extra stability.
Saurabh performed a lat pull down. This exercise is to help strengthen the latissimus dorsi muscle in the back as well as the biceps. It is difficult to stabilize oneself using this long bar with only one hand as there is uneven force distribution on the bar.
Saurabh performed a stationary chest press using a machine. This exercise targets the chest and can be performed with one hand effectively due to it being on the machine. Machines allow more stability.
Saurabh performed a one handed tricep extension using cables. This exercise targets different heads of the tricep. It can be easily performed using one hand.
Megan was switching the degree of incline on the bench. While lifting the bench up was not difficult with one arm, lowering it was more difficult. She used her foot to push the bar out to lower the bench whereas it would have been easier to use both hands.
Megan used the stair climber. While this was not too difficult with one arm, it would likely be more difficult at a faster pace. There is also a limitation of balance as well as being able to use both handles to hold on when needed.
Megan was doing an overhead tricep extension with a free weight. This was easy with one arm and help increase strength and flexibility. This exercise also helps strengthen the chest, shoulders, and back.
Megan was attempting to tie her shoes with one hand. This proved to be very difficult to tie a standard bow. While these shoes could be slipped on and off after they were tied, tying a tighter shoe would be very difficult for someone with only one arm.
Justin was getting water. He found it quite difficult to hold the water cup and get water at the same time. Thankfully, he has hands that are large enough to do both activities at once. If someone with a smaller hand attempted this activity, they may be unable to successfully complete it. Smaller handed people could place the cup on the small ledge and use their hand to only pour the water.
Justin was using a rowing machine. He found it hard to stabilize the hand piece, the only way he could was by holding the piece directly in the middle. He felt like he was spending more time and effort on properly stabilizing the handle instead of actually working out.
Justin was using the elliptical. He found this exercise quite easy with one hand. Individuals can easily use the machine with no hands, so using just one hand did not make the machine harder to use. He did notice it felt a little off balance to only be working out one side of his upper body.
Justin was using the stationary bike. He could adequately use the machine with one arm. It would be difficult to ride an outdoor bike due to it being hard to balance with one arm, but this bike was not too terrible to use because it was stationary.
Ben was opening the door to the gym. He could easily open the door with one hand, however he had to position himself awkwardly to get the right angle to swing open the door. There was not a handicap button to open the door. A handicap button probably would have made opening the door easier for Ben.
Ben was drying his face with a towel. This task was fairly easy to do with one hand. He would have had trouble if he tried drying his back because that typically requires two hands.
Ben did a one-handed push-up. This task was only slightly difficult for him. For the average person, doing this task with one hand is probably really hard. It requires a lot of upper body strength. If an individual with weak upper body strength tries to do this task, they will probably really struggle.
Ben was getting water. He placed the cup on the ledge then filled up the cup with his one hand. This method was much easier than the method Justin performed earlier.