Corporate Fitness and Active Aging

The quick answer, we became experts because we have been specializing in this population for over 20 years in our work in senior living communities. It takes time and dedication to develop a niche as strong as what NIFS has within an industry. We have been part of the wellness evolution as fitness centers were included in renovations and master plans and communities looked to staffing and programming models to help their residents use these amenities safely. We’ve further witnessed consumer options evolve in the senior living landscape with more choices than ever before on where older adults choose to live including 55+ neighborhoods, IL communities, to lifeplan communities. Each environment has its own priorities and challenges in supporting the health and fitness needs of the residents who live there but all understand the necessity of providing vibrant lifestyles. The industry is expected to grow by $100 billion by 2027 alone which means more even more options for consumers. That’s where NIFS Wellness Companion comes into play as a solution in fitness, nutrition and wellness resources that seamlessly plug into the needs of senior living communities.

What makes NIFS niche in senior living special? It comes down to 3 areas of expertise.

1. We hire degreed professionals and provide them with rigorous training to become specialists in senior fitness. Few fitness professionals on the market possess the skillset to step into a senior living setting and provide aquatics programming, fall prevention services, balance assessments, group fitness classes and the background to prescribe customized exercise plans for someone 70+. NIFS staff report their skillset unique to older adult programming increases by 75% in their first year upon joining our team and 90% of these team members already possess a degree in exercise science. The needs of your residents and program are truly a specialization.
2. Because we have worked in senior living for over 20 years with our fitness management clients, we know the players and we know the motivations in your community. Your lifestyle director is a jack of all trades often playing a role with activities, the concierge, transportation and outings. They love making their residents happy and are stretched on time and resources. Marketing and sales know that the ability to showcase a vibrant lifestyle is essential to their ability to meet occupancy goals. Your nursing staff knows that residents who are physically active and engaged can stay independent longer while decreasing fall risks
3. We know your residents. We know that you have several different populations living within your community ranging from those in their late 60’s to 100+. We know that it takes variety in programs and the right approach to effectively engage them in what is being offered. This is truly where our specialization in creating content and programs is rooted. We understand the interests, barriers and goals of seniors and we have spent two decades flexing our creative muscles to effectively connect residents with education and programming that keeps them regularly engaged.

We have the unique perspective to combine that staff expertise, our understanding of the senior living space and our knowledge of your residents to provide a comprehensive digital content and programming platform in NIFS Wellness Companion that fills the gaps your wellness program may be missing.

Extra, Extra... Read all about it! The National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS) has been providing Fitness Management Services in senior living communities across the US for over 20 years. In that time, we have hired some of the best professionals in the business catering to the health and fitness needs of older adults and developing great content and programs to enrich the lives of residents. We see the benefits of empowering seniors with education and choices for safe exercise to champion their health and we are proud to partner with communities who make resident wellness a priority.

At the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) Conference this week in Raleigh, North Carolina, we were thrilled to unveil a new service to senior living providers making NIFS expertise more accessible to more communities with NIFS Wellness Companion! For the first time, communities can take advantage of a subscription-based service to receive NIFS expert content and programs to enhance their lifestyle programming.

Residents have been loving our content and programs written by our team of senior fitness specialist and registered dietitians for decades. If wellness is a priority for your organization, NIFS now has more solutions to support your community either through our professional staffing in Fitness Management or by your own wellness champion having an array of fitness, nutrition, and health-focused content and programs at their fingertips every month with NIFS Wellness Companion.

As communities have experienced the ease of participating in free events with us the past couple of years with Pump it for Parkinson’s, it’s left many asking, “Do you sell any of your programs because this was so easy to implement, and our residents loved it?” While NIFS Wellness Companion won’t be the full arsenal of NIFS programs and services, it does infuse a level of professionalism, consistency, and creativity into the monthly programs and education communities provide their residents without the frustration of trying to brainstorm what to do, or more importantly finding the time to sit down and develop the content. We know residents thrive on consistency and fitness coordinators, lifestyle directors or life enrichment directors will have the convenience of expertly curated content at their fingertips to plug into their monthly calendars and resident engagement apps.

According to a recent survey by the ICAA, 90% of CEOs in the senior living sector believe that providing wellness programming is vital for business growth. Current residents are engaging more than ever before, and prospective residents are making decisions on where they choose to move based on wellness offerings that will help them live independently for as long as possible. With NIFS Wellness Companion, communities can demonstrate their commitment to supporting resident wellness by partnering with a national organization who specializes in senior fitness.

As a nonprofit organization with a mission rooted in enhancing healthy living through the lifespan, we are thrilled that Wellness Companion will help us reach more seniors with education and exercise options to help them live well while making the jobs of busy wellness professionals that much easier!

Want to learn more about our new subscription-based service, Wellness Companion? Click below for more information!

The National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS) has partnered with NuStep to host a free event on World Parkinson’s Day, Thursday, April 11, 2024, to raise awareness on the benefits of exercise for those fighting back against Parkinson’s. We have a big goal of achieving 10 million steps on the NuStep to honor the 10 million people living with Parkinson’s worldwide.

If your organization would like to rally your communities to join our cause and demonstrate a commitment to resident well-being through education and exercise, we’d love for you to make a Pump it Pledge on how many steps your organization plans to contribute! You can calculate your organization’s Pledge with 3 simple steps:

1. Identify how many of your communities will be participating.
2. Identify how many NuSteps are available at those communities to Pump it with us!
3. Estimate each of those NuSteps taking 30,000 steps on April 11!

This outcome will be your organization’s Pump it Pledge and we’d like to thank you for your contribution by featuring you on our event social posts and in upcoming blogs spotlighting our wonderful supporters! Email Emily Davenport with your Pump it Pledge and for resources your organization can share about the event with your communities, residents, and social followers!

Communities can register at our event page linked here. With 100% of survey participants reporting the event created buzz and engaged their residents in a new way in 2023, your communities are sure to have fun as they contribute to a great cause!

We have also partnered with Team Fox for an optional fundraising element in 2024 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Individuals or communities in this component can find more information here on our Pump it fundraising team!

Last year, the only complaint we heard about Pump it for Parkinson’s was several communities heard about it too late and missed out on the fun! 2023 was the first year the National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS) hosted the event to raise awareness on the benefits of exercise for those fighting back against Parkinson’s Disease and by all accounts it was a smashing success!

• Over 4 million total steps on the NuStep cross trainer were accumulated by senior living communities across the US far exceeding our goal of 1 million steps.
• 100% of event survey responses reported Pump it engaged their residents and staff in a fun new way and created buzz within their community!
• 100% of event surveys reported their residents were pumped to contribute to a Parkinson’s focused event!

As we gear up for year number two, we are going even bigger with new goals, new recruiting efforts to engage more communities, and an optional fundraising element. Here are the basics of what Pump it for Parkinson’s is and how communities can get involved.

Pump it is an event on World Parkinson’s Day where communities can rally their residents and staff to contribute steps on their NuStep cross trainer to submit towards NIFS nationwide goal. Registration is free and participating locations receive a digital toolkit of educational resources, signage and tracking sheets to help them promote and host the event in their community. Hosting Pump it for Parkinson’s is a great way to engage your residents and staff in wellness, contribute to a nationwide goal and help your residents who are impacted by Parkinson’s feel recognized. At the end of the day, communities submit their total step count to NIFS and we tally up all the hard work from thousands of residents and staff across the US who contributed! One thing we heard repeatedly from communities last year is they were surprised to learn how many residents and staff were directly impacted by Parkinson’s Disease and how many residents kept their diagnosis hidden. Pump it empowered many individuals to share their story!

The one-day event will be hosted on Thursday, April 11, 2024, and here are our big goals for this year:

• We are aiming for 10 million total steps to honor the 10 million people living worldwide with Parkinson’s Disease! Rally your residents, staff, families, and prospects to contribute steps on as many NuSteps your community has available. This a great program to engage residents across the continuums if you are a lifeplan community by recruiting your activities and rehab staff in licensed areas to participate! Our motto, every step counts and it’s a great way to help residents of all abilities contribute.
• Due to requests, we are also proud to announce a partnership with Team Fox to incorporate an optional fundraising element for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF)! Communities can form or a team or individual donations can be made if desired.
• We are inviting senior living operators to make a Pump it Pledge by recruiting as many of your communities to participate in this free event as possible. We will recognize your organization’s commitment to resident well-being through future blogs and social announcements featuring our participating locations. Contact Emily Davenport for more information on creating your organization’s Pump it Pledge!

Not only do communities have an opportunity to participate in an engaging event, but they also have a chance to win a free NuStep T6 Cross Trainer thanks to our partners at NuStep and a kit of Parkinson’s fitness resources from NIFS to enhance their wellness program.

Visit our event page to register: https://wellness.nifs.org/pump-it-for-parkinsons and follow along at Pump it for Parkinson’s Facebook page for great tips, images, and inspiration for a successful event. We would also like to extend a thank you to our event partners who are committed to helping us spread the word about Pump it for Parkinson’s including NuStep, Wellzesta and ICAA. If you are a vendor in the senior living space willing to help us spread our message, please reach out here for more information on how you can help.

I had an opportunity to speak as a panelist at the Senior Housing News BUILD conference in Orlando, Florida. The panel was hosted by our good friends at NuStep who have similarly been supporting fitness in the senior living space for decades with some of our favorite equipment. Those in attendance were architects, developers, and designers looking to the future with both renovations and new construction. The panel was on one of my favorite topics – the business case for quality fitness programs in senior living communities. The audience very well could have been marketing and operations executives as the discussion equally applied to all visionaries in the senior living landscape who recognize the demands of their consumers…finding a community that can help them live well.

The design of your fitness amenities 100% matters. Choosing the right equipment is crucial for the safety and success of your residents and there were great insights shared.

These are just a few of the questions posed by the audience and moderator:

• How do you get started in a fitness center design project?
• How do you choose equipment that meets the needs of current residents while appealing to future consumers?
• How can you enhance your fitness center when financing is a challenge for renovations or new construction?
• How are you seeing lifeplan communities support resident wellness through the continuums of care?

Time and time again, our expert moderator Tim Mullaney would ask a question of myself, and co-panelist Annie Shaffer from Sunnyside Retirement Community and we found ourselves speaking to quality staffing being a significant part of the solution to these questions. Do you want to check the box that you have a fitness center or do you want your residents and prospects to feel the energy in a fitness program that is a hub of activity and heartbeat of your community?

When we spoke to getting started with a design project, we began with defining your vision. You wouldn’t open a new dining venue without a vision for the resident experience in that space. What food would be on the menu? What level of hospitality and service would residents experience in that space to keep them highly satisfied? The same is true for the fitness center and a calendar of group fitness classes is not enough. Defining your vision and designing a space around the desired resident experience is a significant piece of the solution to these questions noted above and you need quality fitness staff to evolve your program with resident input and preferences.

What is your community’s vision and how are your showcasing it to create distinction in your marketplace? Don’t go at it alone. Make sure you find a partner who is experienced in developing quality fitness programs and not just selling you equipment. You need that operator perspective to design not only the space, but a program that truly serves your residents.

Learn how NIFS expertise generates a 63% increase in resident engagement in our client fitness centers. 

CLICK HERE

Every senior living community offers group fitness classes.  If you want to stand out from the competition, you have to offer more.

Good is no longer good enough.

So much in senior living is evolving, except for fitness.  The fitness industry itself is evolving, and rapidly, but many communities aren’t progressing to adopt new exercise equipment for older adults, updated staff-led services that increase resident participation, or smart data from the fitness program that can inform future decision making.

What about your community?  It’s likely that you are offering at least some group fitness classes that the residents choose from each week.  These classes in senior living, especially formats that specifically address balance training or brain health, are a must for any senior living community.  There’s a decent chance that your residents love their group instructors, and the report from your life enrichment director probably notes that the classes are well-attended and well-liked.

There’s also a strong likelihood that you haven’t looked closely at your exercise program recently as a place where the community could position itself as a leader in your market.  Good is no longer good enough.  Good is a starting point; it doesn’t mean the exercise program for your members is complete. 

It’s time to do more than group fitness.

When prospective residents walk into your community for a tour, they see a welcoming, warm lobby area with social nooks for sharing a cup of coffee and the latest gossip or viral YouTube video.  On the tour, you show them contemporary dining venues with menus that make their mouths water. You talk about updated apartments, technology tools that help them stay connected to their family and the larger community.   

As the tour progresses through the community, you eventually arrive at the exercise room. (Or maybe you skip the exercise area because it doesn’t contribute positively to the lifestyle you’re selling.) And it looks old, maybe like an afterthought. The equipment is donated or dated, the artwork is original to the wall, the small collection of dumbbells have cracked vinyl or rusted edges, and the information on the bulletin boards is no longer current.  Worst of all, it’s a ghost town; no one is in there.

It’s a disconnect for the individuals on the tour.  And while that disconnect is real for your prospects today, it will be even more jarring for future prospects and adult children who are the savviest health consumers we’ve seen to date. Certainly, you can’t update all areas in your community at the same time, and there are many priorities ahead of the fitness space(s).  But that doesn’t mean a revitalization of the exercise program should be entirely off the table. 

You don’t necessarily need massive capital budgets to make improvements in your community fitness center.  And you don’t need to blow your operating budget to provide vibrant exercise-related programming to community.  But if you want to start using elements of your senior living programming to combat someday syndrome at your community, you absolutely have to do more than offer group fitness classes.

Find out how to do better for your residents.

Your prospects expect more than just classes on the calendar, your current residents deserve better, and NIFS can help you get there.  Find out more about how the right staff, the right services and the right equipment can positively and profoundly impact the exercise program you're offering your residents. Click below to find out more.

Fall prevention programs and services have been a cornerstone of NIFS programming for our senior living clients across the US with our signature Balance Redefined program. Whether joining our agility workshop to condition for the next pickleball tourney or bridging into a balance class after being discharged from therapy, residents of all abilities should have access to fall prevention programs that help them stay dialed into their life’s passions.

Off the heels of our successful Pump it for Parkinson’s event this spring, NIFS wants to bring the senior living industry together once again during Falls Prevention Week in September to empower seniors across the country. One of our most popular fall prevention programs is our Empowerment Workshop. This hallmark program is run on repeat a couple of times a year at several of our client communities because residents gain so much and continually ask for it.

During this program, we empower residents through education and the realization that the floor doesn’t have to be a scary place to be. We provide them with step-by-step instructions on how to safely get up from the floor, demonstrate it for them and then allow them a safe place to try it for themselves. In addition, insight is shared that if you find yourself in the predicament of falling, there are ways you can do so more safely to minimize the risk of severe injuries. We also empower residents with education on tools in their senior living community like pendants, pullcords and assistive devices that can help them feel more comfortable in their surroundings.

Upon completion of this workshop, the resident commentary is amazing to take in and listen to how they are feeling.

• “I didn’t know I could do that.”
• “Taking a minute to breathe and not panic makes a big difference.”
• “Wow, having a plan and knowing the ways to move my body safely makes me more confident.”
• “I never would have thought to actually practice how to get up from the floor, but it feels great knowing I can do this!”

As the fear of falling is a risk factor for falls, this workshop will equip residents with improved awareness, knowledge, and skills to build their confidence while empowering them to take our Fall-Free Pledge with thousands of seniors across the US. Participating communities and their residents can be featured in a fall prevention video shared by NIFS on Friday, September 22!

Participation is FREE and easy. Register your community on our event page and we’ll train up your fitness staff on how to host the program for your residents. Your community will receive all the great promotional content, flyers, brochures, etc., to plan the Workshop for your residents and you’ll have a chance to win a free Step and Connect balance training tool and a free fall prevention consulting package from NIFS to help your community customize your own fall prevention program.

Communities and senior living operators are welcome to contact Emily Davenport for more information on how to bring this best-in-class fall prevention experience to their residents for free.

The National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS) is thrilled to have the support of the Brio Pledge as part of Pump it for Parkinson’s on World Parkinson’s Day! This nationwide event is promoting the benefits for exercise for those living with Parkinson’s Disease and 140+ senior living providers across the US are participating. Brio Living Services has committed a pledge of 60,000 steps on the NuStep Cross Trainers which their communities will track on Tuesday, April 11.

Participating Brio locations will be Chelsea Retirement Community in Chelsea, Michigan, The Cedars of Dexter in Dexter, Michigan, and Porter Hills Village and Cook Valley Estates both in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Communities will enjoy learning more about the second most common, age-related neurodegenerative condition at the Parkinson’s Education Station and employees and residents will be able to contribute steps on the NuStep Cross Trainer to go towards the Brio Pledge. NIFS is grateful for the support and collaboration of all four communities working together towards our larger goal of one million steps. This is a strong example of how not only residents can unite within a community to raise awareness but how a network of communities can unite for an even bigger impact! The Brio Pledge is a testament to the strong leadership in Brio communities and their commitment to creating healthy programming and vibrant living options for their residents.

Nicole Maag is Chief of Residential Services with Brio supported the Pledge! Brio Living Services is delighted to join the National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS) and NuStep to celebrate Pump it for Parkinson’s on April 11. NIFS is a valued partner of Brio, providing wellness instruction for our residents at Chelsea Retirement Community, Cook Valley Estates, The Cedars of Dexter, and Porter Hills Village. Our residents and team members are honored to join in NIFS’ challenge of one million steps for the one million people in the U.S. who are living with Parkinson’s Disease. We hope to promote awareness for the important benefits of exercise for all of us as we age.

NIFS Fitness Manager Tyler Forbes is pumped for the event at his communities! On behalf of the fitness department here at Porter Hills Village and Cook Valley Estates we are beyond thrilled to team up and participate in the upcoming Pump it for Parkinson's event. We see the value in overall awareness of this disease and how support for those dealing with it can make such a huge impact. We are ready to ROCK!

NIFS Fitness Manager Tylene Costello has big plans for a successful event! Chelsea Retirement Community is very excited to participate because it has brought our AL, IL, memory care, and rehabilitation areas together to collaborate on this program.  We have the same goal which is to bring awareness of the benefits of exercise for those suffering from Parkinson’s.  This will be a fun way for our residents and team members to exercise in this social assembly.

NIFS Assistant Director Lindsay Knox was honored to help The Cedars of Dexter plan! The beauty of Pump it for Parkinson’s is how creative we can be to make it fun for the residents and fit the needs of the community. I can’t wait to see what the residents at The Cedars of Dexter accomplish!

NIFS wishes Brio communities the best of luck for a successful and fun event with your residents and employees and we thank you for participating!

If you are an operator or network of communities looking for a collaborative event, competition, or challenge to unite your communities and spark engagement, contact the senior wellness pros at NIFS Fitness Management.

We have talked about the versatility of the NuStep recumbent trainer in senior living both for convenience in the fitness center layout and overall function for the population we serve in this environment. We have also provided great insight in programming a workout on the NuStep recumbent trainer and how you can creatively boost strength, endurance and aerobic function for users. That's why NuStep equipment has been a top choice for senior living communities for over 25 years. And that's why NIFS fitness pros look to NuStep.

Hear from the fitness pros at NIFS on why they love NuStep for their residents.

“We love working with the NuStep because it is an excellent option for all abilities and skill levels. The fact that it is a match for everyone, provides a safe and effective method of exercise makes it a go-to for building strength and endurance in the active aging population” – Josh, Phoenix, AZ

“No matter whether you have difficulties with your hips or joints, or have almost any other mobility difficulties, the NuStep can accommodate you. The adjustable resistance level gives all fitness levels a great workout. The hand grips and seat are adjustable to fit an incredible range of individuals in different height and weight ranges. NuStep will help to keep your muscles strong and improve blood circulation throughout your body.” – Kayla, Towson, MD

 “The NuStep is a great piece of exercise equipment when it comes to people with limited range of motion and lack of mobility. The upright posture accompanied with arm and leg movements at the right intensity can prove to be an effective cardiovascular exercise for anyone.” – Davion, Stone Mountain, GA

““I love the NuStep due to how beginner friendly it is for our residents of all ages and backgrounds. The NuStep considers all individuals with varying capabilities when being utilized.” – Michael, Terre Haute, IN

“NuStep is great because it’s easy to use and beginner friendly. Residents love using the NuStep to get their movement in, especially if the treadmill or bike is too difficult.” – Stephanie, Baltimore, MD

“I love the NuStep, because it is very user friendly! The residents are not intimidated by it, like they are with some other equipment. It’s super easy for them to adjust on their own, and they don’t have to press a lot of buttons to get it started.” – Michelle, Baltimore, MD

“Our residents love the NuStep.  It is the most popular piece of equipment in our Fitness Center.  As a fitness professional, I love the features that it offers.  The ability for people to exercise both the upper and lower body.  The ease of getting in and out, the adjustable swivel seat, the familiarity of the equipment as many people transition from rehab to general fitness.  The NuStep gives wonderful back support and is simply a terrific piece of cardiovascular equipment.  You can pump up the resistance and have a challenging workout too!” – Jane, Palm City, FL

“I love the NuStep because it is easily accessible, which is an important factor in a senior living setting. A wide variety of residents can operate the machine safely and get an effective workout as well.” – Adrian, Indianapolis, IN

It’s a no-brainer on why we chose NuStep for Pump it for Parkinson’s as we considered exercise options that would accommodate ranging abilities. This free event will provide education on the benefits of exercise for those living with Parkinson’s during Parkinson’s Awareness Month and communities can engage both their residents and employees together. Whether your participant is a newbie to exercise or very fit, the versality of the NuStep is sure to give them a great workout! We invite your senior living community to join us in this free program to help us achieve our goal of completing a million steps to honor the one million Americans living with Parkinson’s! One location will be the lucky winner of a free NuStep T6 Cross Trainer!