Beyond Disabilities
BDS Functional Trainer

Above and beyond disability

Project Type: 
Mechanical Engineering
Year: 
2023

Description

Our project’s goal is to inspire gyms to make working out more accessible by modifying exercise equipment for a paralympic athlete. While 1 in 4 Americans have a mobility disability, gym equipment is almost always designed for able-bodied people. We are adapting one half of a dual-pulley machine to allow our sponsor to demonstrate these issues and push for change because the components used to alter these machines are often inaccessible. The height adjuster changes the angle between the weight and the user, allowing them to focus on different muscle groups, but if a user cannot reach the mechanism, they cannot use the machine, so we are automating that aspect. The weight stack requires users to move a small pin to a very specific position, so creating a raised system to make that easier will allow users with hand dexterity issues to use the machine on their own. We hope these changes will make working out more accessible for all.

Students

Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering