Recovery through Exercise

Broomfield’s Move 4 Life Will Help Residents with Chronic Health Conditions

By Missy Ruzicka

Many of us know someone who is struggling with a chronic health condition and frustrated about what their bodies can and cannot do while exercising. The City of Broomfield Parks and Recreation Department recognized a need for residents facing life with chronic health conditions. And so, under the leadership of Broomfield’s Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer Lisa Walther, Move 4 Life is being launched this September.

Move 4 Life provides a quality exercise program customized for survivors of chronic health conditions including, but not limited to, Cancer, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and Diabetes in a healthy and positive community environment. Uniquely tailored to each individual and offered in a supportive group class environment, the comprehensive program assists in the patient’s road to recovery physically, psychologically, and emotionally.

The first of its kind program here in Broomfield is intended for survivors of chronic diseases at any stage, whether recently diagnosed, in treatment, or post recovery and is designed by a Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer. Classes and private training are taught by a team of Exercise Specialists who are trained in the handling of chronic conditions, enabling survivors to improve their overall health, regain stamina, and reduce, delay, or avoid the onset of disease symptoms and dysfunctional movement patterns. The overall program includes multiple course offerings designed to meet a variety of fitness goals, all preceded by a comprehensive fitness assessment and exercise prescription.

All Move 4 Life participants begin the program with an assessment and screening with a Certified Chronic Disease Trainer. The assessment includes a follow-up private training session where a tailored, written exercise prescription will be delivered. Following the assessment phase, survivors are presented with a variety of Move 4 Life class options tailored to their personal needs.

Move 4 Life classes include Functional Resistance Training, Variable Intensity Interval Training, Movement and Balance, and Flexibility, Mindfulness and Meditation. During the classes, participants are provided with information on how to take the next step to a life of fitness and health. All classes offer guided exercise and training in a safe, group fitness environment while not losing sight of personal goals.

This Broomfield program will be led by Lisa Walther, a Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer (CCET) through the American College of Sports Medicine. Lisa is a two-time cancer survivor herself and has been supporting and training clients for more than 15 years. Her personal motivation for becoming a Cancer Exercise Trainer began when she was originally diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30 and found that there was no real guidance available to her for how to recover and re-train her body for healthy activity.

A fitness enthusiast, she made it her goal to learn how to effectively train herself and then how to lead and train other survivors as well. Lisa liaises with other highly qualified personal trainers and service providers in the fitness and oncologic arena to offer survivors a wide range of offerings, information, and support to help everyone reach their goals of healthy living.

To learn more about Move 4 Life and register visit https:// www.broomfield.org/3045/Specialty-Fitness