Introduction: When people are confined to a wheelchair, central neuropathies such as spinal cord injury and stroke usually reduce strength of core muscles and corresponding functional abilities for standing or reaching. The present investigation describes the effects of an exercise regime on reach and balance, accomplished with a low cost portable device, the 6 Second Abs machine. Methods and Procedures: Using a modification of the functional reach test (FRT) and assessment of balance through four load cells under a balance platform, 13 control and 14 subjects with spinal cord injury, stroke or multiple sclerosis were evaluated before and after one month of training using three abdominal exercises and one lower back exercise accomplished from a wheelchair. Results: Improvement in reach and reductions in muscle tremor were associated with a core muscle-strengthening program. Reach, which was less than half that of control subjects, increased in the following directions by 23% (forward), 91 % (right), and 50% (left). Conclusion: This program, which only required twenty minutes of daily exercise, should provide increased functional abilities for people with disabilities.