Community Involvement
Senior Fit Exercise Program
As people age, their risk for illness and injury naturally increases. But
exercise can slow the aging process and help people become stronger and more
resilient. As part of our commitment to older adults, we host exercise classes
designed for seniors at convenient settings throughout the area that help
participants maintain independence and prevent disease.
In 1995, Holy Cross Hospital created Senior Fit, an innovative 45-minute
multi-component exercise program for adults ages 55 and older. Offered free
of charge, the program removes participation barriers to senior exercise
presented by most fitness facilities, such as youth-oriented activities and
high expense.
With this program, seniors can access safe exercise classes specifically
designed for them according to American College of Sports Medicine guidelines.
Over the years, the program has grown steadily and
now 1,750 seniors are enrolled in the classes and participate more than
56,000 times each year. The classes are offered at 17 locations throughout
Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and the District of Columbia,
through a partnership among Holy Cross Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Maryland
National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, Montgomery County Department
of Recreation and local churches.
A National Council on Aging impact study concluded that Senior Fit participants
experienced measurable improvement in upper and lower extremity strength
as well as several measures of self-efficacy.