Geri-fit is a company in Temecula, California that offers strength training programs for older adults. Their programs are designed to increase strength, flexibility, mobility, and balance. Geri-Fit is one of the few companies that has a special program for people age 75 and above.
You can attend Geri-Fit classes in person or buy their DVDs and other equipment for use at home. Geri-Fit has expanded greatly since I first wrote this site. They now offer classes in many locations across the US and offer training and licensing for instructors. You can look at their website to see if there is a class near your home or learn how to get licensed to present classes in your community.
If you don't have a class nearby, you can buy a DVD and do the exercises at home. I have purchased and use two of the Geri-Fit DVDs. Both of the DVDs feature Francesca Fisher, the founder of Geri-Fit. I found it interesting that, although the two DVDs were filmed 18 years apart, Ms. Fisher looks great in both.
These are the DVD’s I bought. Geri-Fit now has many others listed on their site.
If you buy either of these DVDs to use at home, remember to start out slowly.
You don't have to do 10 repetitions of each exercise; you can just do 5 or 6 or 7
repetitions until you get accustomed to the workout. Ms. Fisher does mention this in her instructions, but you may not hear her say it until you are halfway through.
You can buy the Geri-Fit DVDs on Amazon or on the Geri-Fit website.
You can attend Geri-Fit classes in person or buy their DVDs and other equipment for use at home. Geri-Fit has expanded greatly since I first wrote this site. They now offer classes in many locations across the US and offer training and licensing for instructors. You can look at their website to see if there is a class near your home or learn how to get licensed to present classes in your community.
If you don't have a class nearby, you can buy a DVD and do the exercises at home. I have purchased and use two of the Geri-Fit DVDs. Both of the DVDs feature Francesca Fisher, the founder of Geri-Fit. I found it interesting that, although the two DVDs were filmed 18 years apart, Ms. Fisher looks great in both.
These are the DVD’s I bought. Geri-Fit now has many others listed on their site.
- Geri-Fit: "Greatest Generation Workout" (advanced strength training for older adults - no floorwork) -- filmed in 2014. This DVD is focused on people age 75 and older. All the exercises can be done while standing or sitting. The exercises do not require lying down on the floor. Now, this is not a glitzy program with a fancy studio and exciting music, but it is an excellent stretching and strength training program.
- Geri-Fit® -- the "First Workout with Weights for Older Adults" with Francesca Fisher (DVD) -- filmed in 1996. This DVD focuses on “younger” older adults, men and women who are agile enough to get up and down from the ground. It is a very good workout for your arms, legs, shoulders, etc. I use this one myself and find that it is good 50 minute workout. This is not a lively cardiovascular workout where you jog or dance. The DVD emphasizes stretching and strength training. Don't be mislead because the workout seems simple. Your muscles may get a bit sore after the first few sessions.
If you buy either of these DVDs to use at home, remember to start out slowly.
You don't have to do 10 repetitions of each exercise; you can just do 5 or 6 or 7
repetitions until you get accustomed to the workout. Ms. Fisher does mention this in her instructions, but you may not hear her say it until you are halfway through.
You can buy the Geri-Fit DVDs on Amazon or on the Geri-Fit website.
The Geri-fit programs do not require any fancy equipment. You will need hand weights, a chair, and an elastic band that you can buy at most sporting good stores or places like Target or Walmart. Geri-Fit also sells elastic bands on their website. A mat might be helpful for the part where you lie on the ground but a towel or blanket or rug will do. Both of these programs start off with relatively light weights (2-3 pounds) but they recommend that participants increase the weights as they grow stronger. This is a very important part of any progressive strength training program.
Geri-Fit provides training and certification for fitness instructors or health care providers who want to teach Geri-Fit programs in their own locations. They also have a PPL (Public Performance License) for locations that want to use the DVDs for their exercise classes but that can't afford to have a live instructor on site to teach the class. You can find details on their website www.gerifit.com.
The exercise program used in Geri-Fit was developed by Francesca Fisher and used in early studies conducted by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation during the mid-1990’s. Further evaluation of the program at the University of Texas in 2011 showed that these exercise can help improve strength, cardiovascular fitness, and balance. Geri-Fit is one of a few evidence-based programs listed by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Administration on Aging (AoA)* in 2013. This means the program has been studied and found to be effective as a health promotion or disease prevention program.
I think Geri-Fit has done an especially fine job in making their program available to the public on DVDs and by offering Geri-Fit certification programs to fitness trainers and health care professionals.
Geri-Fit provides training and certification for fitness instructors or health care providers who want to teach Geri-Fit programs in their own locations. They also have a PPL (Public Performance License) for locations that want to use the DVDs for their exercise classes but that can't afford to have a live instructor on site to teach the class. You can find details on their website www.gerifit.com.
The exercise program used in Geri-Fit was developed by Francesca Fisher and used in early studies conducted by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation during the mid-1990’s. Further evaluation of the program at the University of Texas in 2011 showed that these exercise can help improve strength, cardiovascular fitness, and balance. Geri-Fit is one of a few evidence-based programs listed by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Administration on Aging (AoA)* in 2013. This means the program has been studied and found to be effective as a health promotion or disease prevention program.
I think Geri-Fit has done an especially fine job in making their program available to the public on DVDs and by offering Geri-Fit certification programs to fitness trainers and health care professionals.
* Update April 2017
After I posted the information above about Geri-Fit I received some additional information from Francesca Fisher. She told me that, Geri-Fit is also covered under most Medicare plans. If you find a class near you, check with them or check with your Medicare provider to see if they will pay for your classes. In the past 2 years they have added many new centers across the USA. They are looking for senior centers that want to partner with them as well as universities and meal centers. And, because Geri-Fit is a Title IIID program, Federal funding may be available through the Administration on Aging to help community centers start programs. This will make sense to community center directors who understand federal grant programs.
If you would like to learn how to become a certified Geri-Fit center, I would suggest that you look at the Geri-Fit website and contact them directly. www.Geri-Fit.com
After I posted the information above about Geri-Fit I received some additional information from Francesca Fisher. She told me that, Geri-Fit is also covered under most Medicare plans. If you find a class near you, check with them or check with your Medicare provider to see if they will pay for your classes. In the past 2 years they have added many new centers across the USA. They are looking for senior centers that want to partner with them as well as universities and meal centers. And, because Geri-Fit is a Title IIID program, Federal funding may be available through the Administration on Aging to help community centers start programs. This will make sense to community center directors who understand federal grant programs.
If you would like to learn how to become a certified Geri-Fit center, I would suggest that you look at the Geri-Fit website and contact them directly. www.Geri-Fit.com