Don't handicapped parking spaces at a gym seem like kind of a moot point?

Question

Yes I know by law they are required. Let's see how many morons decide to argue this point because they can't read the whole question, though.

I'm not saying handicapped people don't go to gyms. I'm just saying it's perplexing that someone could actually work out but not make it inside from the far side of the parking lot.

Answer 1

I think so! If you're going to a gym to exercise, why don't you think of walking or pushing a wheelchair as exercise? I've seen perfectly healthy people fight for a parking place as close to the gym as possible so they wouldn't have to walk far. Is this stupid or what?????

Answer 2

I am 34. I have thyroid cancer. After the radiation, I was not able to walk for 6 months. I had such a high dose that it messed me up. Now, I have good days and bad days where I can walk. I use assistance from a cane on bad days.

I will work out at the gym whether I can walk well or not. I just don't use the tread mill, and I work upper body. There are some days I can not honestly walk more than an inch at a time. You should see me, I am the laughing stock of the gym.

My side effects mimic crippling arthritis. I hope you don't think I am a moron. I would rather go to the gym and lift a little than stay home and do nothing, even if I can't walk so well.

The better question is: Why are you so judgemental?

Answer 3

I will argue the point...and I am far from being a moron. You are assuming that all people who frequent a gym are all 100% "able-bodied". Just because a person has a physical handicap, does not necessarily mean they can't/don't work out. The two are not mutually exclusive. Many people with multiple sclerosis can still work-out, as their disease is dictated by flare-ups and remissions. Or a person, who is visually impaired is allowed to have their driver park in those spaces, as long as they have a Handicap Sticker issued to the driver, (ie. a wife who drives for her visually impaired husband). I actually had a room-mate who was blind and he went to the gym everyday from Monday to Friday, and his mom would pick him up and she had a Handicap Sticker because of him. Because they needed to be close to the door, b/c it's not a good idea to have a blind person zig-zagging all across a parking lot. Or there are amputees who are missing limbs who work out. I've seen many amputees at a few different gyms many times with my own eyes. Think of all the soldiers who have missing limbs who enjoyed working out before their accident, and will continue to do so after their accident......and I did read your whole question.

Answer 4

Sort of related: There is this amazon broad who comes to my gym. She works out like a maniac. Jump rope, treadmill, free weights, elliptical, StairMaster, she's built like a bull with tattoos and a mullet (unrelated, but completes the visual) anyway this broad parks in the handicap spaces every day. Clearly, if she's handicapped, then we're all entitled to declare ourselves handicapped because she has no maladies that I could identify. I was considering leaving a not on her car that reads "Ugly, is NOT A DISABILITY!"

Answer 5

Actually no. Handicapped people may be physically fit with bulging muscles, but have other issues, such as lung problems, that prohibit walking long distances. The gym is a wonderful place to treat a variety of ailments, not just mobility.

Answer 6

In some states they are not required, like Maine. I don't think they are required in NH either but we have them anyway.

Some handicap people are PHYSICALLY handicapped and they go to the gym.

Others, like my mother, are handicapped. She has rhumatoid arthritis and can't move very well some days so she is entitled to park in handicapped because it's closer for her to walk/move. She works out.

I just think that you are ignorant of other people around you.

Answer 7

my friend uses the hanicapped spots when he goes to the gym. just because he's in a wheel chair and can't fully use his legs doesn't mean he can't still work out. sure he can't do any squats, but he does plenty of upperbody weights and goes swimming. being handicapped means that some of his physical ability is limited, not that he can't live a normal life at all. so no, they are not a moot point.

Answer 8

No, just because your handicap does not me you cant work out certain areas of your body. The handi cap may be a recent surgery to the knee or the arm wher e you cant excersice that part of the body but you can still work other parts.

Answer 9

well
just because people are handicapped does not meant they can not enjoy the services

There are pools and equipment that can be therapeutic to many handicapped people

It can be part of the physical therapy routine, plus many gyms may offer special classes for these individuals.

Answer 10

I've thought of that and realized that they are probably used most by people who are temporarily handicapped and using the gym to recover from an injury, i.e. like a supplement to physical therapy.

Answer 11

would you consider Franklin Roosevelt handicapped? good because at most gyms there is a pool and Rossevelt could swim and so could other handicapped people. and just because they are handicapped doesnt mean they cant use some part of their body.