For November’s Move Your Way® spotlight, The Office of Developmental Programs visited SPIN in Philadelphia to take a peek at their fitness program. SPIN is a provider agency that also contains a community fitness facility called SPIN Community & Fitness.

The facilities are equipped with a half-court basketball gym, a cardio room with treadmills, ellipticals, and wheelchair-accessible hand bikes; a weight room; and a spinning suite for spin classes. Fitness facilities and classes are open to the public (with a membership) as well as program participants.

SPIN’s Director of Public Relations Caitlyn Diviny impresses the importance of health and fitness to SPIN’s programming.

“SPIN promotes health and wellness as a priority for everyone in the organization and some participants have chosen particular health and wellness goals for their Individual Support Plan (ISP),” says Diviny, “Individuals are encouraged to participate in at least one movement activity per day, but many choose multiple. Most of the activities, even if they aren’t specifically fitness related, will include some kind of movement.”

Diviny continues, “Movement activities are scheduled throughout the day and many of the activities are geared towards ensuring this occurs throughout the day. There is a walking club walk and everyone can listen to music after lunch instead of being sedentary after eating.”

“The Recreational Therapists, Program Specialists, Direct Support Professionals, and management team all have an ‘all-in’ attitude when it comes to fitness. SPIN’s Direct Support Professionals are trained in health and wellness outcomes specific to the individual so they can help encourage them throughout the day to choose activities that can help them reach their personal goals.”

SPIN takes a comprehensive approach to health and wellness. Its team has a centralized focus on the health of the community, the organization, and the individuals they support. They host monthly lunch and learn sessions on nutrition, and mental wellness as well.

“Numerous individuals have had success with healthier diets, weight loss, increasing activity levels, and overall positive outlooks and confidence. A few participants even trained daily for a 5K and recently completed their first 5K, running for nearly the entire duration.”

Way to move your way!

What is Move Your Way?

Move Your Way is the physical activity campaign based on the second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. It offers tools and resources for individuals and professionals to learn about the Physical Activity Guidelines, share its key messages and encourage individuals to become more active. Recognizing the health disparities and co-existing medical conditions experienced by many individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and autism, ODP is promoting Move Your Way in cooperation with the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Becoming more physically active can help lead to happier, healthier lives. Please share widely!

How can you Move Your Way?

Anything that gets your heart beating faster counts. And it all adds up.

Find what works for you! Walking, dancing, gardening, swimming, and stretching are just a few suggestions for weekly movement.

Adults need a mix of physical activity to stay healthy.  Moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 150 minutes a week, and muscle-strengthening activity at least 2 days a week. Do activities that make your muscles work harder than usual.