Stimming is great for focus. Mod K.A.’s post here lists heaps of options for hand stim toys that can still be used when you need to type or write. I wanted to make a post focusing on stim toys that are made to be used as part of sitting, or that can be used with your feet.

A pedal exerciser is made of just the pedals of an exercise bike and can sit underneath a desk. (AU $33.60, ships from Australia.)

[Image description: Photo of a black pedal exerciser, which has two pedals attached to a thin plastic block about 50cm/1.5 feet tall, with a digital display and several buttons.]

A bouncy band is an elastic band that sits between the front legs of your chair. You can rest your feet on it, behind it, or in front of it, and fidget with it. I think it would be very easy to by a length of elastic from a craft shop to try a DIY option. It may not be as durable, but it could give you an idea of whether this is an option that will work for you. (The one in the link is AU $23.59, shipping from Australia.)

(Note: I’d try the knock-off TheraBands available from K-Mart over elastic - Stretch Bands, $8 AUD for a pack of three bands with different resistances. These are much wider than elastic and will give your foot something to cup against, plus you can fold them over to thicken them up. Be warned that they absolutely reek of chemical plastic odour. I don’t think these are natural latex like proper TheraBands, but wouldn’t recommend them for folks with latex allergies or chemical sensitivities, to be safe. Mine are airing out, but slowly. Also see our TheraBand tag for where to find the real thing. - Mod. K.A.)

If you are able to be barefoot, there’s lots of different ways you can stim with your feet:

There’s a traditional foot massager, made of rolling, wooden beads with spikes. (AU $6.95, ships internationally from China.)

This plastic foot massage mat is made up of lots of really interesting textures. (AU $7.78, ships internationally  from Hong Kong and China.)

Spiky massage balls are interesting for all sorts of stimming, and are often recommended for pain in the arch of your foot. (AU $2 at K-Mart Australia, often found in toy stores, cheap stores and stores that specialise in Occupational Therapy and stim toys.)

You can find interesting textures in plenty of different places for DIY stim toys. Smooth river rocks, a fluffy rug or a wooden bath mat are some of the options that appeal to me. (Bamboo bath mat is AU $39.95, ships from Australia.)

[Image description: Six plastic foot massage mats locked together, in blue, pink, purple, green, red and yellow. A person can be seen standing on them from the knees down. Each mat has about 150 raised plastic hemispheres which are covered in bumps. In the centre is a large bump surrounded by a circle of medium bumps. The ebay listing describes it as 27cm x 28cm.]

You can also consider how you’re sitting. An office chair is an option that’s often already in your environment. You can rock, spin, or twist side to side. Gym balls are often recommended as a replacement for chairs because they’re good for posture, but they’re also good for gently rocking and bouncing on. You also can’t recline into a lazy, slouched position like you can on a chair, so you always have to keep a little bit of focus on staying in the right position. (AU $10 from K-Mart Australia, often available in department stores or for more expensive in sports and fitness stores.)

A less dramatic option is something like this spiky tactile cushion, which inflates and has spikes one side and nubs the other. Like sitting on a gym ball, it encourages you to move around a bit. The texture of the seat also provides tactile input. (US $30.99, ships internationally from the US.)

No question is dumb, anon! You’rewanting to find a way to fidget or stim that fulfills your needs while notantagonising the people around you. It’s an important thing to figure out,since these sorts of compromises are ones we all need to make as stimmers atsome point, be they with other stimmers or the people in our lives.

(I am never here for getting topeople to stop stimming. Sometimes, though, while other people’s responses toour stimming are based in ableism, it is easier and safer to compromise andfind an alternative stim, especially if that means we get to keep onstimming. Of course, our stims can genuinely annoy others, especially otherND/disabled folk. I regularly have to turn my back on the person sitting in theseat beside me on the train because of the constant flickering of theirfingers/hands as they use the touchscreen on their mobile phone. Typing is the worst;it feels like someone driving spikes through my eyeballs to watch, even out ofthe corners of my eyes, yet it’s a common, everyday activity. For the samereasons, I need people to keep flickering hand movements, common in many stims,to a minimum around me. So sometimes we absolutely do have to compromise inorder to keep stimming, and I’m always happy to have more conversations aboutthis.)

The more difficult thing about thisis that there’s a lot of different stims for hands and less for the feetand legs, so this is harder to redirect. You can try to play with a Tangle, forexample, but you might just find yourself twisting a Tangle while continuing tobounce your legs. Mod Rainbow recently wrote a fabulous post on feet and legsdesk stimming, and this is well worth checking out.

I highlight, from their post, two things that might best work for you:

The first is the rolling of a prickle/massage ball under your foot (also see this post). This will allow you to move your leg back and forth while also giving you the tactile stimming of the ball’s texture. It might be less distracting/annoying than the leg bouncing.

The second - although this will only work if you have a chair with legs - is the tying of a bouncy band, or something stretchy like a TheraBand, to the legs, giving you something to swing your foot against. This might control and direct your movements, making them smaller/less obtrusive.

You might also consider something like a massage ball or brush for running down your legs, say if you’re sitting curled up on a couch or armchair while watching TV or reading: the added sensory input might reduce the need to bounce.

You might also consider seeing if a weighted blanket or lap pad works for you, too, because the weight/pressure stimming might (please note that this doesn’t work for everyone) give enough proprioceptive input that you don’t need to swing.

If you think that hand stims and fidgets are an alternative you wish to explore, I’m going to link you to a few previous posts: cheap fidget toys | household fidgets | popular toys | categories of toys | my recs for a stim toy kit | why you should vary your stimming.

I’m a little pressed for time today, anon (I have a guest, @ambiguouspieces, staying with me) so I’m going to ask for folks with good ideas to help me out by commenting away, as my brain isn’t wholly focused on you. I apologise for that, and I’ll add comments to this post as I can. If I come up with any other ideas over the next few days, I’ll also add to this post myself!

I hope this gives you somewhere to start, anon, and I’m sorry for making you wait so long for a response!

Tough and portable, power resistance bands can make an enormous difference in your workout routine.

It’s no wonder why resistance bands are so popular: They’re portable, easy to use, affordable, and you don’t really need to learn a new skill set to use them effectively. Now, DynaPro Direct offers power resistance bands which are designed to take your strength-training sessions to the next level. The bands can be used for squats, push-ups, and various lower and upper body workouts. The bands can also be used in place of, or in conjunction with, weight-lifting equipment — that means you don’t need to depend on a spotter anymore! Phew!

DynaPro Direct power resistance bands are offered in five different levels of color-coded resistance: Red (5-30 lbs.), black (10-60 lbs.), purple (30-80 lbs.), green (50-125 lbs.), and blue (70-170 lbs.). Check out 10 reasons why you should start using power resistance bands:

Power resistance bands are easy to use: You won’t need to change up your entire workout routine and learn a new method of building muscle if you want to start using the bands. Simply incorporate the bands into the fitness plan you already follow, and you’ll get addicted to the added resistance.

You can ditch your partner — or get one: Since the power bands add weighted resistance, you’ll still be able to execute an effective strength-training routine without needing to pump up with bulky weights that require a spotter. Even better? Resistance bands are fun to use with a partner. Check out Julia Gilas and her friend toning up with DynaPro Direct Power Resistance Bands:

The bands are portable: There’s nothing like packing resistance bands in your suitcase for an epic vacation. When you’re away on a trip, you want to look and feel your best – and it’s never been easier to do that. You’ll love squeezing in a quick pump session before you hit the beach or get ready for that special party.

Switching it up is a breeze: The bands come in all different colors and levels of resistance. Start slow and then switch up your resistance level as soon as you conquer that color band. It’s also best practice to work with different levels of resistance based on which workout moves you’re performing. Here are your options: Red (5-30 lbs.), black (10-60 lbs.), purple (30-80 lbs.), green (50-125 lbs.), and blue (70-170 lbs.).

Your muscles will thank you: One of the best things about power resistance bands is they help stabilize different muscle groups. Heavy lifting and intense cardio sessions often lead to muscle imbalance. By incorporating bands, you’ll be doing your body a huge favor. It’s all about the balance, Baby!

The bands are snap-resistant: DynaPro Direct bands are made with eco-friendly natural rubber that you can depend on. It’s important to use bands that are made from high quality material, because a break or snap during the middle of your fitness session is the last thing anyone pumping up ever wants.

It’s a fun way to stretch: Don’t just use power resistance bands when you’re strength training! Use the bands as you’re stretching, too. You can use a band as a tool to challenge your flexibility and push your limits.

At-home workouts will be more effective: It’s so easy to store resistance bands in the living room or the bedroom. Whether you wake up with the bands or use them to wind down after a stressful day, you’ll be thrilled to have them in arm’s reach.

You can use them in the office: Resistance bands are the perfect tools to tuck away into your desk drawer. Wrap the band around your legs for a lower body workout as you’re working, or take a break from the computer and stretch out your arms.

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