Going to gym while on disability (insurance)?

Question

I has spine surgery a few months ago and have since stopped working while I stay home recovering...the surgery has not resolved my pain and I have gained weight since I am home everyday. I have applied for disability because of my severe back pain. I have multiple herniations in my cervical and lumbar spine, along with advanced degenerative disk disease that started when I was about 16 -- I am now 31 and in severe pain everyday, to the point where I struggle to get out of bed most days. I would like to go to the gym to lose some weight by doing aerobic excercise. Will attending the gym have negative effects on my disability application? Many have told me it is not a good idea if a disability investigator were to see me working out at the gym -- is this true? Is it illegal by law or by their standards to work out at the gym?

Answer 1

Going to the gym is a bad thing to do especially after surgery,  You should be going through some therapy very soon.  There are mild exercises that you could do without going to the gym.  One is walking, around in the house, the other is getting some bags of 1 lb rice and using it for lifts.  But the main thing is to listen to your doctor, stop eating so much will help also. The main thing is get out of the bed and do something that doesn't cause you to lift anything. or bend. Put on a good record and do a low impact dance.  The main thing stay away from the heavy foods. If applied for disability good luck on that one.  But you don't want anyone reporting you to the board.

Answer 2

It'll be hard to convince someone that you can go to a gym, but can't work.  That's the issue.

If you're under a doctor's care and the doctor recommends it..that may change the story.  But, yes disability companies use investigators and if they snap a few pictures of you in an aerobics class or on a bicycle you can count on the claim being denied.

BUT, if you got a good policy that protects 'your occupation' that changes everything.

Answer 3

~~I have the same problems you do, and surgeries made it worse. You could have the evidence look bad against you if it were shown in court. More important though is you will further hurt yourself and be in intense pain by choosing the type of exercises you are wanting to do. You should be in physical therapy after the surgeries. If they did not start you on this, it's imperative you speak with your doctor. You can use the gym for water exercises, but you must start slowly and carefully. You need a personal trainer to work with you if you have to do this on your own. Eventually you can start swimming which is excellent calorie burning exercises, with no trauma to your spine. The relief you get from pain is amazing when you get in the water as it releases the pressure off those discs. Don't do anything without professional guidance, any setback can be detrimental. Good luck to you!~~

Answer 4

I agree with the other poster who suggested that physical therapy might be more beneficial to you than working out at the gym (without any medical supervision).

As far as the disability investigation goes...I have to agree that it might look suspicious to see you working out at the gym.  (Unless it was part of a documented medical plan for your recovery from the surgery and supervised by a medical professional, of course.)  If you can go to the gym and just "work out," then on the surface it would appear that you should be able to go to work too.

P.S.  For the weight issue - you could just try walking.  Walking is free, aerobic, and can be done anywhere.  (With less of a chance of rousing the suspicion of a disability investigator.)

Answer 5

SSDI?  Severe back pain likely won't get you on SSDI.  

And, yes, if you can do aerobics, you can flip burgers, or count out change sitting in a chair at a cafeteria.

No, it's not illegal to work out at a gym.  But in order to get disability, you have to be unable to work at ANY JOB.  And if you can DO aerobics, you can be an aerobics teacher, which is a job.