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Managing disease with Cooper® Tracks

Exercise and education play a vital role in preventing and managing chronic health conditions. Yet, for many, beginning an exercise routine can be daunting given physical limitations, safety concerns, lack of information about the disease process and a variety of other factors.
Cooper Tracks Class

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Exercise and education play a vital role in preventing and managing chronic health conditions. Yet, for many, beginning an exercise routine can be daunting given physical limitations, safety concerns, lack of information about the disease process and a variety of other factors.

That’s where Cooper® Tracks comes in. More than just a fitness program, it combines exercise and education to help manage chronic diseases or to prevent them.

“We provide not only supervised exercise but education that can improve way of life,” Lyndsay Sears, Cooper Tracks instructor, said. “What you gain from the eight-week course helps implement healthy habits and a lifestyle change.”

With six tracks—four focused on chronic disease and two on prevention—there’s something suitable for everyone.

“Each track is based on more than 50 years of science and research at Cooper Aerobics reflecting our purpose of improving the quality and quantity of people’s lives,” Sheryl Brown, PT, MSPT, Program Director, said.

Watch this video below to learn more about Cooper Tracks.

Chronic disease tracks

The four chronic disease tracks include:

  • Cardiovascular : For individuals diagnosed with stable cardiovascular disease, who have completed cardiac rehabilitation or may not qualify for cardiac rehabilitation or those who have cardiovascular risk factors
  • Arthritis : For individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthritic conditions
  • Diabetes : For individuals diagnosed with prediabetes or those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
  • Cancer : For individuals diagnosed with cancer or those recovering from cancer at any stage

Prevention tracks
To help prevent illness and chronic disease, adults with the following would benefit from Cooper Tracks prevention tracks:

  • Immunity and Reconditioning: Desiring to follow a preventive approach to boost immunity or those recovering from COVID-19 or illness/immobility
  • Well-Being: Wanting to follow a preventive approach to health, deconditioned or sedentary and inconsistent with regular exercise

“The prevention tracks can apply to anyone,” Sears said. “We can all benefit from more exercise and the comprehensive educational content addresses physical health along with mental health, stress management, body ergonomics and mindful relaxation techniques.”

Cooper Tracks experience
Each eight-week Cooper Tracks session begins with a pre-program health assessment conducted one-on-one by the certified personal trainer leading the program. The assessment includes testing cardiovascular endurance with a six-minute walk test and a body composition measurement. Based on the results, the personal trainer customizes the exercise routine specific to the individual’s health and fitness needs and goals.

“One routine doesn’t fit everybody,” Sears said. “We get to know each participant’s background and what they can do activity wise. If they have misalignments in their movement patterns, joint pain due to disease or have just been sedentary, we tailor the exercise routine to them.”

The class meets twice a week—16 classes total—and the exercise goal is to build up the routine to allow for 50 minutes of cardiovascular and strength training combined.

Each class also includes dedicated time for discussing topics related to their chronic disease or health in general. Nutrition, goal setting and stress management are a few of the topics covered. Cooper Tracks helps participants better understand how to manage their chronic disease and live a healthy life. At the conclusion of the program, the participants complete the post-program health assessment to see how they have progressed over the eight weeks.

“Research shows an integrated approach of exercise, nutrition, group support and stress management yield long-lasting lifestyle change and can decrease the impact of chronic disease,” Brown said.

Sears says an often-overlooked part of the program is the community that forms over their shared experiences.

“Cooper Tracks made me realize how important exercise is to controlling my diabetes,” Lotty Casillas, Cooper Tracks participant said. “Being with others who have diabetes has helped me learn how to better deal with the good and bad days. This is the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time.”

Since Cooper Tracks’ inception in 2021, it has has helped build healthier communities across the United States by offering the program to commercial fitness centers, health care facilities, corporations and residential and senior living communities.

“Cooper Tracks has elevated The Atlantic Club as the primary choice in the area for fitness programming focused on preventive care and chronic disease management,” said Kevin McHugh, President & CEO, The Atlantic Club in Manasquan, New Jersey. “Participants in our Diabetes, Arthritis and Immunity & Reconditioning Tracks have experienced greater stability and balance, increased muscle mass and decreased daily fatigue. However, the most important benefit is their ability to better understand their conditions and be able to develop a game plan for their long-term health and wellness.”

Cooper Tracks is currently offered at:

To join Cooper Tracks, contact one of the facilities in your area. Interested in implementing Cooper Tracks in your facility? Visit cooper-tracks.com or call 972.560.3263.