Humanity is racing toward a brain-health crisis, according to the World Health Organization. The number of people with dementia is expected to triple in the next three decades.

The helpful news from WHO is this: Exercise plays a key role in fighting cognitive decline and dementia.

So, those of us in the fitness industry have a greater chance than ever to make a big impact by including brain health in our training and interactions with people over 50.

That’s the message of Ryan Glatt, a brain health coach at the Pacific Brain Health Center.  Ryan and the Functional Aging Institute worked together to bring you the Brain Health Trainer Certification. It’s a unique program that teaches about the connections between brain and body health – and about how fitness professionals can help mature adults with both.

“We can play a significant role in delivering exercise interventions for the primary outcome of brain health, and not just as a secondary benefit of exercising,” Ryan says. “We need to do more.”

Fitness professionals have three steps to follow, he says.

1. Educating the public about the cognitive benefits of exercise.
2. Referring people with possible cognitive decline to doctors for early intervention – much like physical therapists refer patients to relevant medical professionals.
3. Building exercise programming to create primary brain-health results.

Trainers need to encourage clients to have a well-rounded exercise routine that includes balance, resistance training, and cardio work. It helps to know how some activities can have specific benefits on memory, attention and other brain functions. That includes, for instance, dance, sports and martial arts, which involve some level of choreography, which is good for the memory.

Even in initial assessments with prospective clients, fitness pros can learn to raise the topic, Ryan says. For example, if a prospect in her 50s says she wants to lose weight, you can bring up the topic of brain health even at that early stage. “There’s a growing body of research that links exercise to brain health,” you might say. “Does that sound like something you’d like to work on, as well?”

That can open the conversation to topics that might indicate a referral is necessary – or help you build a fitness program to address them.

“We like to tell people that exercise will help them be able to play with their grandkids,” Ryan points out. “But we can also help train them so that they also can remember their grandkids’ names better.”

Brain health is a big, rich topic that we’re going to be hearing more about. Any fitness professional helping mature people live well should be educated on how to help with their brain health, too.

The training is geared to help fitness professionals who:

• Want to slow the effects of aging on their client base and community.
• Are looking for innovative fitness programming that is geared toward preventing cognitive decline and based on cutting-edge research.
• Want to learn more about the brain, its relationship to exercise, and how fitness can help slow cognitive decline in people who need your help.

The course covers the neuroscience of:

• ​The Course of Cognitive Aging
• ​Cognitive Decline and Reserve
• ​The Cognitive Domains of Attention, Memory, & Executive Functions
• ​Functional Brain Networks and Neuroanatomy
• ​Differential Effects of Exercise on the Brain & Cognition
• ​Combining Exercise with Cognitive Stimuli

You can learn more about this powerful training opportunity here.

Healthy living for “active adults” isn’t just an American concern. Globally, many of the same issues that face us here also challenge our fitness peers across countries. And, on top of that, some of the world’s different cultures have unique challenges of their own.

That’s part of what motivates FAI’s outreach to other countries. We already have members around the world. And now we’re traveling to two conferences where we’ll be able to share the “functional aging” message with countless other people.

First, Cody Sipe is leading a group from the Functional Aging Institute to Shanghai for the IDEA China fitness conference in August.

Jacqueline Cheng, an FAI master trainer and partner, will be co-leading and translating the sessions with Cody. Dianne McCaughey will join Jacqueline and Cody for a two-day pre-conference workshop for Functional Aging Specialist Level 1 certification. Cody says they’re modifying the content somewhat to meet the market demands better, and there eventually will be four levels of the certification.

“Jacqueline is working hard to establish FAI education and programming in China and is speaking with and potentially collaborating with government officials, healthcare, medical professionals, aging service professionals, and fitness professionals,” said Cody, who was excited for his first trip to China. “Their culture is different, and so the approach is going to be a little different, but there is a lot of potential, and it is looking up.”

For example, he said, the focus won’t be on “older” adults, but on premature and unhealthy aging, which starts in the 30s and 40s. Jacqueline has assembled a strong group of leaders to help her with these efforts.

Cody will be speaking on:

• Cognified Fitness for Optimal Aging (based on the Brain Health Trainer certification content)
• Exercise to Prevent and Manage Chronic Disease
• Balance and Corrective Exercises

That’s not all.

FAI Master Trainer and board member Ken Baldwin is launching the Healthy Ageing Summit in Australia next year – and Cody will be speaking several times at that gathering, as well.

We’ll share more on this event as the time gets closer, but Ken joined us at the Functional Aging Summit in Albuquerque this year and is fired up to repeat much of our group’s energy Down Under next March in Brisbane.

And, keeping it closer to home, FAI has a couple of events planned in the United States next month, too.

Dan Ritchie will be speaking at the Elite Fitness and Performance Summit in Indianapolis Sept. 13-14. Dan’s topic is: “The 5 Next Big Things in Fitness Coming the Next 10 Years … And How to Be Ready.”

Dr. Evan Osar and Dianne Bailey will lead a tai chi conference in Denver Sept. 20-21. It’s called “East Meets West: Balance for Older Adults.”

By Cody Sipe

Functional Aging Institute

Exercise equipment for mature clients is a great topic for trainers to discuss with each other and with their clients. When we do so, let’s keep our focus on the need for function, not merely an individual’s age.

Depending on each client, we trainers can use all the tools at our disposal – including strength machines, barbells, elliptical trainers, step climbers and kettlebells for clients at any age.

It’s a lingering myth that something becomes off-limits or “too dangerous” once a client reaches a certain age. It’s even ageist and needlessly limiting to say, “You can do only chair exercises” – or “Don’t use anything heavy.”

I was interviewed recently for an article in US News & World Report headlined Exercise Equipment for Seniors that addressed various tools commonly used in gyms and studios. I want to expound on some of the points the article covered, and touch on some others that didn’t make the cut.

About ellipticals, bikes and rowing machines, I said, “It is more dangerous not to be doing these things than to do them, because of the health risks of being sedentary… Those are all really good for people who have any sort of lower-limb discomfort or osteoarthritis. That’s typically what we recommend for them.”

We also discussed resistance bands, which have their uses but also their limitations. Remind your clients that they can build more strength with cable machines or free weights. Don’t let them avoid a challenge by using just bands.

Older clients can choose anything that younger adults do, as long as they’re physically capable and have instruction, just like anybody else.

We must train them with a variety of equipment options and get away from “one size fits all” style restrictions.

And while walking or running are great, they are not enough. Repeat it to your clients and prospects: Walking and running are not enough.

Help them try something new and learn what they like. If that’s free weights, then great. If someone is curious about kettlebells, for instance, then show them how to use them and why (assuming you think they’re appropriate for that individual). Don’t let her hesitation prevent her from giving it a whirl.

On the flip side, be careful you don’t just throw new ideas about different equipment at them willy-nilly. Have a strategy. Make it relevant.

We have a lot of tools available to us, and that’s great. But ultimately, we’re trying to achieve a functional outcome.

The Functional Aging Institute offers members valuable instruction about how you can make the most of equipment training for your clients. Be sure to take become certified as a Functional Aging Specialist. And check out instruction from Anchor Point Training and ActivMotion Bar.

By Dan Ritchie, Functional Aging Institute

I had an excellent experience teaching at IDEA World this year. But I also left there a bit dazed, wondering how we can remain focused on improving the lives of our clients.

Let me explain.

First, I hosted a Functional Aging Specialist Workshop for trainers and other fitness pros there at the vast, annual fitness con in Orange County at the end of June. (We have another coming up in Washington, DC, too.) I also led two sessions on cognitive fitness, which is the subject of our excellent new training course we will release later this month. And I hosted another fun workshop on balance and power training for the mature client.

But, maybe since I’ve been to many conferences already, I felt a bit like I had “been there, done that.” They had countless pieces of fitness equipment, dumbbells, kettlebells, bars, reformers, bikes, ellipticals and more. You name it; they had it. Plus, tons of fancy new gadgets, too.

They had every session imaginable to get your sweat going, your heart pumping, and your enthusiasm roaring to head home and share all this excitement with your clients. There was plenty of hooping and hollering and hoorays to go around.

I left thinking, Ok, great, that was fun — but how can I make an impact with clients, my studio, and FAI? How can I channel that energy into coming home focused on helping people and changing their lives?

How are we, as an industry, going to alter the face of fitness, health, medicine, wellness, and longevity if we aren’t trying to  learn, teach and improve in those areas? Our industry remains too concerned with youth, vanity and weight loss — not that there is anything wrong with any of that.

Isn’t it time we get serious about movement? About functional ability and functional longevity? It’s time to say we need fitness for life and lifestyle and we need specialists who can help people live better lives, and lives to 100 years or beyond!

I want you to strongly consider what education you purchase next, what certification you will achieve, and what CEC course will serve your career and clients best.

Maybe it’s time to invest in yourself with one of our training courses and gain valuable knowledge to help move ahead and change lives. Watch our “change lives” video, and let us know what you think.

Conferences can be fun and valuable. But the real work happens every day, every month, every year you’re working with clients at home.

 >Dan Ritchie is president and co-founder of the Functional Aging Institute.

Anyone who’s had contact with the Functional Aging Institute has probably come across executive assistant Celia Shaughnessy. At the recent Functional Aging Summit, she was a wonder of unflappable enthusiasm, professionalism and get-it-down awesomeness.

We thought it was time you get to know Celia, so here’s a look at the woman who does so much every day to help us all do what we do.

Born: June 14, 1990, Lansing, Illinois.

Education: Bachelor of Science – Health and Fitness, Purdue University, 2012

With FAI Since: 2015. Formerly a personal trainer.

Currently lives in: Lowell, Indiana

Family: I met my hubby, Griffin, in seventh grade. I had a huge crush on him. I was the new girl that didn’t fit in, and he had no interest in me. Fast-forward to 2012. We went on our first date when I was a senior in college, and the rest was history. We have one child, Gavin Bernard, born on April 7, 2018.

Current fitness approach: I still workout five or six days a week. I am a member at my local YMCA. I enjoy their spin classes and HIIT Crush class, which has helped balance my fitness routine. I heard this quote once: “Kids are not excuses; they are sponges. Lead by example.” And I hope to live up to that for Gavin.

Off-duty fun: When I am not working I soak up all the time I can with my family and friends. We love spending time outdoors.

In college, I developed a passion for running. I try to get in on most of the 5k races in the area. I have run a handful of half-marathons, and in 2014, I ran my first and only full marathon, finishing in 4:25. Secretly, I would love to run another one before my 30^th birthday next year. We’ll see.

Latest TV binge or favorite movie: I am a reality TV junky. I still love watching “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette.” Right now it’s baseball season. So the Chicago Cubs will always be on! While on the cardio machines at the gym, I’m watching Netflix: “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Riverdale,” “Ozark”… the list can go on and on.

Cardio music of choice: ’90s country music!

Favorite fitness celebrity: All of my clients used to refer to me a Jillian Michaels — but a much nicer version, of course!

What you love about where you live: I am only 45 minutes from downtown Chicago and 45 minutes from Lake Michigan. So I can change my scenery to pretty much anything really quickly.

Vacation dream spot: New Zealand and Ireland.

The Functional Aging Institute and president Dan Ritchie were featured at length in an informative, engaging feature article from MarketWatch.com about Baby Boomer fitness trends and the broader senior health market.

“These ‘super seniors’ are living longer, healthier lives,” read the headline. “Want to retire well? Your personal trainer may be as important as your financial adviser.”

It’s worth reading (and we’re not just saying that because we’re in it).

Baby Boomer Fitness Trends Keep Growing

The article refers to the “silver tsunami” and cites statistics about the 76 million Baby Boomers. It also points out that 25 million Americans are older than the oldest Boomer. We’re living longer, and more of us want the “health dividend” fitness brings.

The article quotes Dan about functional ability and why it’s important. “What if you want to get down on the floor to play with a grandchild? Kick a soccer ball in the backyard? Or carry in the groceries?”

It also features one of Dan’s clients at Miracles Fitness, his gym that focuses on Boomers and seniors.

“I do mountain climbers for cardio. Resistance bands, weight machines, and work on my balance,” says Joyce Field, who is 86.

‘Just to repeat, she’s 86’

She also does squats, burpees, and planks with a 45-pound plate on her back.

“Just to repeat, she’s 86,” the writer gushes.

Joyce started working out at 72, after a hip replacement. “I am not going to have another one,” she says.

Press like this is becoming more common. People are catching on about Baby Boomer fitness trends – about active adults and the value that healthy living brings them and their families.

We’re glad to be a resource for reporters who know a good story when they see one. You, too, can be helpful to media in your area, and maybe get some free publicity.

Take the time to learn which reporters and editors at which newspapers, broadcast stations, and websites cover these kinds of issues. Reach out with an email or a phone call letting them know you’re there if they’d like to learn more. Or, better yet, tell them about a local event that involves your business and touches on these concerns.