Fit & Strong!

About the program: Fit & Strong! is a community-based, physical activity program. It uses flexibility and strength training, aerobic walking, and health education to promote behavior change in people with osteoarthritis.

Objectives:

The goals of Fit & Strong! are to:

• Improve exercise frequency.
• Reduce arthritis-related joint pain and stiffness.
• Increase strength.
• Improve confidence in ability to exercise.

Target Audience:

• Adults with osteoarthritis (OA).
• Sedentary older adults with lower-extremity joint pain and/or stiffness.
• Adults with co-morbidities.

Key Activities:

• Arthritis appropriate exercises.
• Health education on arthritis management.

Setting: Community/ Group-based workshop.

Suggested class size: Between 20 and 25 participants.

Duration: The class meets for 90 minutes, three times a week, for eight weeks. Participants spend 60 minutes on arthritis-appropriate exercises and 30 minutes on education about arthritis management.

Cost:

• Participant costs: Varies. Around $35 to cover costs of participant manuals.
• Leader/ Host Costs:
  • License at $2,000 for the main site and $400 for the each satellite site for the first year or $1,000 if only offered at one site. Renewal costs are $200 per site if offered at multiple sites or $100 if only offered at one site. Learn more about program costsexternal icon.
  • Training is included in licensing costs.
  • One-time materials and equipment cost at about $1,985.
  • Manuals for each participant at $35 each.

Program Requirements:

• One program leader. The leader can be either a certificated exercise instructor, licensed physical therapist, occupational therapist, or a student under supervision of a physical or occupational therapist.
• Leaders must participate in a one day certification training taught by a Fit & Strong! master trainer. Learn more about the training and certification processexternal icon.
• A license for the host site.
• A large open space for walking, room for chairs for each participant, and storage space for equipment.
• Equipment including exercise bands, 10lb ankle weights, chairs, floor mats, a CD or tape player, and participant manuals.

More Information:

Learn more about Fit & Strong!:

• Fit & Strong! websiteexternal icon
• Fit & Strong!—Information for Health Care Providers pdf icon[PDF – 477KB]external icon
• Fit & Strong!—Information for Patients [PDF – 448KB]external icon
• Find a program in your area on the Evidence-Based Leadership Council’s Map of Programsexternal icon.