Sedentary Fitness

I use a wheelchair most of the time, and I'm pretty sedentary.  I need to increase my arm strength and lose weight in order to hike with crutches up a mountain this fall.  Does anyone have any good exercises that are not to hard on the back and spine?  I have limited use of my legs, though my knees are fine.  My balance is terrible (I can't walk without holding on to something).

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

For increasing your arm strength you can go for bicep curls, hammer curls and triceps pull down and flat dumbbell fly while lying on your back with simple weights under a trainer. Do not try anything without the help of a trainer. The actions like rowing are very important for upper body strengthening and increasing your arm strength.

Take care!