So, you really like the book Every Body Matters and the Every Body Matters Fitness Program looks good too. But – will it work well for you?
Every small group, church, gym, organization and community is unique. Needs and expectations differ from place to place and person to person. This section of Every Body Matters ONLINE provides tips, guidance and support so that EVERYBODY CAN DO IT. Explore this section to find what works for you. As you do the program be sure to CONTACT US and share your experiences. You can also add a new comment below. Either way, you can contribute here and help others discover how everybody can do it.
Don’t limit the opportunities to reach more people. You may initially launch the Every Body Matters Fitness Program among a small group of women at your church or as part of a new group exercise class at your fitness facility. Go for it and do it well! Then, consider who else can benefit. We encourage you to consider customizing the program and do it with other populations:
– various group exercise classes from novice to experienced skill levels
– sports specific for a group of men or women or a mixed recreational group
– cardio rehab or other wellness activities for seniors
– creative play and recreational fun time for families
– prenatal or postnatal workouts
– diet and weight loss focused groups
– vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, functional training, stretching/pain management
To do this program at a Y you’ll want to first discuss the program with everyone in your leadership team. These people may include association CEO, branch specific director, Fitness/Wellness Director, chaplain, Mission Emphasis Coordinator, volunteer coordinator or others. Discuss and document initial ideas, questions, expectations and other details that will need to be considered. Doing both an informal survey and then a formal survey among staff and members is an ideal way to measure interest, identify needs and ultimately enroll members successfully in the program. If concerns are raised at your Y about how the spiritual component of this program is compatible with your Y’s commitment to diversity then get support to prepare a solid approach that responds to these questions.
There are many ways to introduce this fitness program into your church community. One of the easiest ways may be to first organize a small informal group of those who are enthusiastic about fitness and wellness. This group may initially organize off-site, do the program and get a feel for doing it. Eventually you should consider the many groups that are represented in your church, women, men, families, seniors, college, youth and more. Each can do the Every Body Matters Fitness Program with different conversations and different exercise activities. This program may led by the Sports and Recreation Ministry of the church but you’ll find it is effective to cross into other ministries. Consideration should be given to how this program can be an effective part of your church’s community outreach.
You may have never considered this before but that small group in your home – your family can benefit from this fitness program. You can use this program as a way for your family to make a commitment to once-a-week family time and recreation. Do this model to discover how you can truly break away from the tendency to make this program stiff. Among your family make the time genuine, honest, relaxed and fun.
The Every Body Matters Fitness Program can be adapted for small groups that work together. Given work schedules you may want to do the book study/conversation during a lunch break once per week and then do the physical exercise on a subsequent day during a lunch break or before or after work. Because schedules can be challenging, set expectations for participation in advance. However, allow for flexibility too. This environment can often be very inclusive and diverse if you commit to making it open to everyone.
To make the fitness component of this program effective it is important to consider the physical limitations and health conditions of those in the group. More specifically you may find that organizing groups based on a specific set of physical abilities or physical goals can be a powerful approach to doing this program. You may bring together cancer survivors, a group training for a specific physical activity, a team of people with a shared disability, those working to reduce obesity, people dealing with a specific addiction and more. Doing this lets you customize the fitness program and at the same time really build a strong group sharing common experiences.
Every body can do it. CONTACT US to get the support you need.
