With the coronavirus forcing the closure of all gyms and rehabilitation centres, Dale Roach knew he needed to find an alternative way to exercise and keep his health issues under control.
Roach, 71, has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a type of obstructive lung disease characterized by long-term breathing problems and poor airflow. The main symptoms include shortness of breath and coughing with mucus production. COPD is a progressive disease and typically worsens over time.
“With lung disease, the most important thing you can do is exercise and diet and take proper medications,” he said recently.
Roach has participated in pulmonary rehabilitation classes three days a week through the Lung Association of Saskatchewan at Providence Place for the past five years. However, the provincial government closed all long-term care homes during the pandemic, eliminating Providence Place as a location where Roach could exercise.
Forced to improvise, Roach built a modified gym in his backyard that he and his classmates could use. He built a set of stairs for step-ups, installed a pipe for pullups, used ropes, pulleys and pails filled with sand to create a strength-training machine, and added an existing pair of dumbbells. Participants can use bodyweight for callisthenics and yoga.
A doctor diagnosed Laura Halyk, 35, with COPD in 2011. She has been with the rehab class for nearly five years and thought having access to the backyard gym was great.
“It’s nice to have a time and place to be. Then you are committed,” she said, otherwise she would either sleep in or work out for 10 minutes before quitting. “(Exercise) helps my lungs big time. It makes me feel better. It helps everything in my body.”
Using the home gym has gone well, Roach said. He and his classmates are thrilled with the setup and it has exceeded their expectations. The only barrier is the size of his backyard, which limits how many people can work out due to pandemic restrictions. Masks and hand sanitizer are available to ensure people are safe, though.
“You have to be motivated (to work out). It’s hard to be motivated when you’re just doing it by yourself,” he added. “So we made it a social activity and everybody’s up instead of sitting on the couch.”
“Exercising outside (is great) compared to being in a building,” echoed Halyk. “You have the sun, the birds, squirrels. Everybody’s just happier.”
Lil Christmann, 70, suffers from heart problems and shortness of breath, so her doctor recommended that she join the pulmonary rehab group. She has been with the group for a year and appreciates the outdoor gym, especially since she usually feels refreshed after she goes home. It’s also an excellent place to socialize and make friends.
“The breathing exercises are just awesome. We are just so lucky to have Dale around,” she said, adding with a laugh, “When I do pull that pail, I do get stronger.”
“It beats the hell out of sitting on the couch,” Roach remarked. “This will give us some longevity.”
Since Providence Place is a long-term care home, Roach doesn’t expect to get back into the building this year for their rehab classes. He has heard rumours that the Saskatchewan Health Authority is looking for a new location for them.
Until that happens, however, Roach and his friends will continue to use his back yard to stay in shape, stay healthy and socialize. They might even start running more than one class per day.
“As you can see, we puff a lot, but that’s why we’re here,” Roach chuckled. “If you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.”
