AUGUST 2023
4 MONTH PROJECT
Fitness Machine for Paraplegia Workout and Rehab
FREEFLEX transforms daily workouts into a convenient and independent experience. This electric-powered cable machine allows anyone with lower body mobility issues to strengthen, rehab, and improve their health. It tackles the issues of ease-of-setup, safety, core stability, dynamic use, and full range of motion.
Interviews
Fieldwork
Industrial Design
The Current Problem
When I visited the local wheelchair athletics training facility, I noticed that even high level athletes sometimes needed help from trainers to setup their training stations-for example handing them weights.
Even if they were able to workout completely by themselves, it still took time and effort for certain tasks like moving the benches.
Design Essentials for Paraplegia Workout
Wide Exercise Range
It is important for athletes to train different muscles including small stabilizers by moving their upper bodies through an open range of motion.
Seat Security
Body straps keep paraplegics secure. Especially as different levels of spinal injury comes with a different level of core control.
Ease of Grip
Some users use a specialized wrist wrap to assist with grip strength. This new device should be compatible with it.
Integrated Transfers
Transfers out of daily wheelchairs into a sturdy exercise chair allows for strenuous exercise and promotes blood flow. However, the number of transfers should be limited to prevent unnecessary friction.
Competitive Advantage
Ideation
Dimensions
Study of the wingspan of people of different heights to
determine the maximum height and width of the design.
Feedback and Refinement
Revisiting the DRES Facility gave me the insights to add shin straps in addition to the thigh and waist straps, and get rid of the unnecessary transfer station.
Transfer Over from Daily Wheelchair
Use Seat Position Buttons to Move Exercise Chair Underneath the Arch
Move Cables Overhead + Press Both Cable Position Buttons to Lower the Cables
Strap Cable Handles into Carrying Hooks
Use Seat Position Buttons to Move Exercise Chair to Desired Position
Use Cable Position Buttons to Move Cables to Desired Position
Use Exercise Weight Buttons to Set Desired Weight
Touch the Metal Part of Both Handles to Activate and Deactivate Weights
Reflection
If I were to do this project again, I might move in a different direction because on the the amount of space that this equipment takes up is hard to justify from a cost point of view, which will influence demand for the product.
Special Thanks
DRES Trainer
UIUC Wheelchair Athletes