NuStep

I have always enjoyed spending time in the gym. Being a skinny, little kid made me want to grow muscles. Any muscles. Please. I would do sit-ups and push-ups while watching TV on our big console television (young people reading this might need to Google “console TV” to see what one looks like). When I attended a football camp the summer before I entered 8th grade, I was motivated to start lifting weights by a huge, real-live college football player.

“Do these exercises and get bigger, stronger, and faster like me”, he promised.

Exercising and being active continued throughout the stages of my life. When I was diagnosed with hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP) in 2023, my workout regime obviously changed. My main focus is now on maintaining leg strength, motion & flexibility, and doing enough cardio to keep my heart healthy and my weight down.

One exercise machine that I’ve come across and addresses all these goals is called the NuStep. Multiple physical therapists and medical professionals have told me that these machines are like “gold” for someone like me who is fighting mobility challenges.

Being in a seated position while pushing down on the foot pedals makes it easy on my lower back and increases safety (prevents falls). Additionally, the angle of the push or step provides a full range of leg mobility, including my hips. Another nice thing about the NuStep is that it also gives me an upper body workout by pushing and pulling on the arm handles while I am working my legs. Resistance can be adjusted depending on whether I want to go fast to increase my heart rate or to push hard to build strength.

I can’t speak for all gyms, but most exercise and rehab facilities that focus on health and wellness have these machines.

Try it. You’ll like it.