Fit for Life

What is Fit For Life?
Fit For Life is a medically supervised exercise program designed by Adirondack Medical Center's exercise physiologists. Our staff provides safe exercise, support and education to individuals with medical conditions with a desire to improve their overall quality of life.  Medical clearance and a physician referral are needed to join the Fit For Life program.   

Assessment: Goals are established based on desired fitness level, lifestyle, medical needs and desires.  Fit for Life offers the option of meeting two or three times per week for up to an hour. 
Classes are offered in Saranac Lake, Lake Placid and Tupper Lake.  The average length of participation is three months.  There is the option of a post-Fit For Life program following graduation from Fit for Life.
Medical Supervision:  Each session begins with measuring baseline vital signs.  Vital signs include blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels and, if a person's condition demands, blood glucose levels.  An exercise physiologist will monitor these vital signs during and at the conclusion of the exercise session. 
Understanding your condition provides the pathway to making changes. Small changes made consistently over time make a difference. Whether it's improving strength, nutrition or mobility, our staff personalizes learning based on a person's specific needs.

What is a Session Like? 
Exercise will be at the center of the sessions.  They include aerobic exercises such as riding a stationary bike, walking on a treadmill or using an arm bike.  Stretching exercises and strength training are used as well to increase mobility and improve daily living abilities.

Education
Monthly lectures are offered to all Fit for Life and Post-Fit for Life patients and families.

Topics include:

• Diabetes
• Pulmonary Disease
• Risk Factors & Heart Disease
• Stress Management
• Medications
• Benefits of Life Long Exercise
• Nutrition

Working with your Physician 
From the very beginning, the Fit for Life staff is in communication with the individual's physician to provide the best possible care.  Periodic progress reports are sent to the physician based on changes in medical condition and response to exercise.  

Cost
The program is billed on a monthly basis.  The cost of the program was established to be affordable for everyone.  If an insurance company provides a wellness stipend, there may be reimbursement for the monthly fees. 
Adirondack Medical Center also offers a financial counselor who can work with participants to establish lower payments if required. 

Joining Fit For Life
A physician referral and medical clearance is needed to join the program, or call the Fit for Life office for assistance in obtaining a referral for the program. 

Medical Conditions Treated Through Fit for Life:
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Obesity, Inactivity
- Heart Disease & Minor Intervention Recovery
   • Coronary Artery Disease
   • Congestive Heart Failure
- Lung Disease
   • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer Related Fatigue Syndrome

Graduation and Post Fit for Life
Once a person has become independent and can monitor vital signs as part of an exercise routine, there is the opportunity to graduate to the post-Fit for Life program held in Saranac Lake. 
Staff are in attendance to answer questions and help with progress in the program, however, the routine is completed on a more independent basis.  There is a monthly fee for this program.

For more information or to join a class, please contact:
Andrea Chamberlain
Fit for Life Coordinator
Phone (518) 897-2271
Fax (518) 897-2880
e-mail: ffl@amccares.org

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