Lions United Fitness
  • Lions United Fitness
  • Our Mission
    • Superhero Saturdays
    • Sponsorship
    • Give At Home
    • Dan’s Story
    • Andy Cameron
  • Membership Pricing
  • Personal Training
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Member Login
  • Menu

How your Child can Benefit from Adaptive and Unified Sports

Adaptive and Unified Sports are a great way to introduce your child to sports and competition.

Adaptive and Unified sports are bringing athletes together

Is your son or daughter an athletic competitor in the making? Perhaps he has been watching powerlifting events and now he is looking for a trainer. Maybe she got a basketball for her birthday and is asking if she can join a team. If your child has physical and mental disabilities, you may wonder what sort of athletic opportunities are available and how to find them.

Athletic programs designed specifically to meet the needs of special population athletes are increasingly gaining traction and Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) certified gyms are opening up across the country. Trainers in these gyms are well-versed Regular athletic activity can provide tangible health and wellness benefits for kids whether they have autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or another disability.

When you find a gym that is a good fit for your child, talk with the trainers and encourage your child to share her vision of what she is hoping to get out of the experience. If being part of a sports team or training for solo sporting competitions like powerlifting is the goal, a trainer can work one-on-one with your child to help build the necessary skills.

Adaptive Sports

When your child is ready to join a team or showcase skills in an individual sport, adaptive sports organizations offer a unique opportunity to compete against others with a similar type of disability. Adaptive sports are competitive sports specifically for people with disabilities.

The rules of these sports allow the modifications necessary for people with disabilities to participate. For example, adaptive volleyball uses a lower net and all players sitting on the floor. Wheelchair basketball is another common adaptive team sport.

The beauty of adaptive sports is by grouping adaptive athletes into categories based on the type of level of impairment; you create a level playing field. The groupings negate the impact of the shared disability and instead allow all your child’s training, hard work, and dedication to excellence shine through.

For a child with competitive drive and lofty dreams, the Paralympics which is open to elite athletes having physical disabilities may be the next step.

Unified Sports

One of the pioneers in the unified sports movement has been the Special Olympics. As an organization, they believe in “promoting social inclusion through sport.” In addition to their competitions specifically for athletes with intellectual disabilities, the Special Olympics organization also includes unified sports teams.

A unified sports team is made up of people who are similar in age and ability whether they are athletes with or without intellectual disabilities. A shared love for the sport brings teammates together where they get to know each other and bridge past any preconceptions or misunderstandings.

Often what so many athletes with disabilities want is to truly be a part of the team and not be relegated to the sidelines. They deserve to be an integral part of the group’s success, and unified sporting organizations are committed to recognizing and honoring that.

Sensory Room is ready!

https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/LU-sensory-room-featured.jpg 1080 1080 braveadmin https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LionsUnited-Logo-Blue-tagline-237x300.png braveadmin2020-01-14 15:07:062020-01-20 18:15:36Sensory Room is ready!
Step up for Down Syndrome

Calling all Lions!

https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/suds.png 312 820 braveadmin https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LionsUnited-Logo-Blue-tagline-237x300.png braveadmin2019-09-05 18:29:142019-09-19 19:38:31Calling all Lions!
Special Olympics Summer games in St. Paul, MN

Prepare for the Olympic Summer Games in St. Paul

https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/special-olympics-summer-featured.jpg 500 500 braveadmin https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LionsUnited-Logo-Blue-tagline-237x300.png braveadmin2019-04-23 21:42:162019-02-11 23:19:14Prepare for the Olympic Summer Games in St. Paul
4 life changing benefits of swimming

4 Life-Changing Benefits of Swimming for Kids

https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/swimming-featured.jpg 500 500 braveadmin https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LionsUnited-Logo-Blue-tagline-237x300.png braveadmin2019-04-19 09:00:312019-03-19 19:32:424 Life-Changing Benefits of Swimming for Kids
Andy Cameron

Get to know Special Olympics Coach, Andrew Cameron

https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/meet-special-olympics-coach-andy-featured.jpg 500 500 braveadmin https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LionsUnited-Logo-Blue-tagline-237x300.png braveadmin2019-03-26 19:40:302019-04-11 19:22:00Get to know Special Olympics Coach, Andrew Cameron
Benefits of staying active

3 Life Changing Benefits of Physical Activity for Disabled People

https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/benefits-of-staying-active-featured.jpg 500 500 braveadmin https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LionsUnited-Logo-Blue-tagline-237x300.png braveadmin2019-03-19 09:00:312019-03-19 19:14:073 Life Changing Benefits of Physical Activity for Disabled People
In this article, we will explore how kids with special needs can reap the physical, mental, and emotional benefits from participating in sports.

4 Powerful Benefits of Participating in sports

https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/4-benefits-sports-featured.jpg 500 500 braveadmin https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LionsUnited-Logo-Blue-tagline-237x300.png braveadmin2019-03-19 07:00:472019-03-19 19:12:554 Powerful Benefits of Participating in sports
Lions United featured on Fox 9 In Twin Cities

Lions United Featured on Fox 9 in Twin Cities

https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/fox-9-featired.jpg 450 450 braveadmin https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LionsUnited-Logo-Blue-tagline-237x300.png braveadmin2019-03-15 14:19:242019-03-15 14:21:14Lions United Featured on Fox 9 in Twin Cities
Ways to balance your need for healthy food and keeping to a budget

Grocery Shopping Tips for a Family on a Budget

https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/grocery-tips-budget-featured.jpg 500 500 braveadmin https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LionsUnited-Logo-Blue-tagline-237x300.png braveadmin2019-03-05 22:22:542019-01-19 22:23:20Grocery Shopping Tips for a Family on a Budget
Why is Lions United the perfect gym?

Why Lions United Fitness Center is the Perfect Gym for You

https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/why-lions-featured.jpg 274 274 braveadmin https://lionsunitedfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LionsUnited-Logo-Blue-tagline-237x300.png braveadmin2019-02-26 09:00:412019-03-19 19:22:17Why Lions United Fitness Center is the Perfect Gym for You
PreviousNext

Contact Us

Lions United Fitness Center
2535 Pilot Knob Road, Suite 126
Mendota Heights, MN 55120

+1 (651) 348-7278

Staffed Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Saturday-Sunday 8:00 AM-2:00 PM

24 Hour Access to Members

Pages

  • Andy Cameron
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Give From Home
  • Giving
  • How it Works
  • Lions United Fitness
  • Membership Pricing
  • Personal Training
  • Sponsorship
  • Superhero Saturdays
  • The ROAR Scholarships – Financial Support for Adaptive Athletes

Recent Posts

  • Sensory Room is ready! January 14, 2020
  • Calling all Lions! September 5, 2019
  • Prepare for the Olympic Summer Games in St. Paul April 23, 2019
  • 4 Life-Changing Benefits of Swimming for Kids April 19, 2019

Check Out Our New App

© Copyright - Lions United Fitness Website by Nufire Marketing

Lions United Fitness Center is a recognized 501 C 3 nonprofit EIN: 83-1055267

  • Facebook
4 Amazing Health Benefits Enjoyed by Cerebral Palsy Athletes 4 Amazing Health Benefits Enjoyed by Cerebral Palsy Athletes Poly (Floor) Hockey: A Great Way To Stay Active In The Winter Poly (Floor) Hockey: A Great Way To Stay Active In The Winter
Scroll to top