INCLUSIVE FITNESS
EXERCISE | NUTRITION | WELLNESS
Creating Healthy Lifestyles For Neurodiverse People, Families and Communities
The Problem
Physical fitness is important for all of us. Neurodiverse people and their families very often don’t have the opportunities or resources to build healthy lifestyles. Despite increasing awareness and inclusion efforts, most health clubs, fitness centers and programs are either not interested in or properly equipped to support the neurodiverse community.
Our Solution
Our long-term goal is to establish high-quality, inclusive and convenient wellness centers for the neurodiverse community. There, our clients can strengthen their bodies and minds in the three focus areas of exercise, nutrition, and wellness. We are looking for a group of neurodiverse people and parents / caregivers to be our first clients.
WHAT IF we lowered barriers and raised the bar?
What Makes IF Different?
It is critical to approach creating healthy lifestyles holistically. Research has shown the greatest therapeutic impact is achieved when a person is embedded in a context of positive role models in every situation and on the most personal levels. They receive consistent examples and reinforcement to develop effective ways of thinking and behaving. That’s why our focus is on neurodiverse people as well as all the other people in their sphere.
We are truly Inclusive
We are focused on lifelong health
We integrate core elements of fitness
We are collaborative
We are a like-minded community
ADAPTIVE EXERCISE
Our clients will work with trained coaches to design specialized fitness programs for a solid foundation of endurance, strength and lifelong exercise habits. Programs are designed around their specific physical, adaptive and cognitive strengths, including individual sessions and group classes that use the most effective approaches.
TYPICAL EXERCISE
Parents, siblings and other caregivers have access to exercise programs and trainers that they can use while their neurodiverse loved ones either work out with them or are engaged in other classes, programs or therapies. Various types of classes will be available, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT), Barre and similar models that are effective.
NUTRITION
Inclusive Fitness will be a place where families learn about healthy eating by taking classes with a nutritionist who understands their unique dietary and behavioral issues and designs menus, plan and prepare meals together with others to practice and enjoy. As with the fitness training, those who are neurodiverse learn these skills so that they can carry them forward throughout their lives.
WELLNESS
Inclusive Fitness is a place where neurodiverse and neurotypical family members and care takers practice yoga, Pilates, stretching, focused breathing, meditation, and other techniques to center their minds, manage anxiety and reduce stress. They can work with instructors who are trained in and are understanding of their situations and can help all members of the family develop these skills.
Expected Outcomes
If they consistently participate in classes and do prescribed activities on their own, we expect to see improvements in both neurodiverse and neurotypical clients, including a better understanding of fitness and movement principles, competence in doing the activities, adherence to a steady exercise routine, increased endurance and strength, improved dietary perceptions and habits and other physical and psychological benefits. Research on both neurodiverse and neurotypical people has shown positive benefits in these areas:
Muscle tone, strength, & body composition
Motor coordination
Stamina & endurance
Lethargy
Anxiety
Hyperactivity
Attention & cognition
Slimming & preservation
Social engagement
Meet the Team
We are a group of personal trainers, occupational therapists, parents of neurodiverse people and others who are committed to making our vision become a reality. We all care deeply about helping neurodiverse people and their families and caregivers create healthy lifestyles and being there for them on their journey toward greater fitness. We are certified Level 1 Fitness Professionals through Autism Fitness. We are looking for people to join our team. Contact us to start a conversation.
Coming Soon: News, Events and Resources
NEWS
EVENTS
RESOURCES
Why We Are So Passionate About Inclusive Fitness
A year ago, Greg Austin quit his job as a corporate executive to spend more time with his teenage son with autism and to start a business. Greg and his wife Kristina, who are both avid marathoners and triathletes, found that Lucas, like most of us, functions best when he is physically active.
Unfortunately for neurodiverse people like Lucas, access to fitness programs tailored to their physical and sensory needs is extremely limited. This leads to many avoidable long-term problems and a lower quality of life.
So, Greg is launching Inclusive Fitness, a business focused on creating healthy lifestyles for neurodiverse people, families and communities through exercise, nutrition, and wellness centers around the country.