StrongBodies Leader Training

2024 StrongBodies Wisconsin Leader Trainings

  • April 10th, Madison, WI
  • May 8th, Milwaukee, WI GenteFuerte (StrongBodies for Spanish-speaking Leaders)
  • August 7th, Eau Claire WI
  • November 13th, Appleton, WI

Scroll down for more information or click here to register:

About StrongBodies

Developed by Drs. Miriam Nelson and Rebecca Seguin.  The Strong Bodies programs are designed to help older adults become or stay fit, strong, and healthy.  Dr. Nelson is the author of the research-based Strong Women book series, and Dr. Seguin is the national program director for StrongBodies and a faculty member at Texas A&M.

Who Should Attend?

Professionals and community leaders working or interested in the fields of public health, nutrition, exercise, or wellness should attend. Participants should be in good physical health and be able to collaborate with local agencies or organizations to provide StrongBodies in their community.

To be eligible to be a StrongBodies Leader, YOU MUST:

  1. Be an employee/staff/volunteer with UW-Madison, Division of Extension and/or the local area aging unit (ADRC).
  2. If not employee/staff/volunteer above: must be a nonprofit organization that is working in coordination or partnership with UW-Madison, Division of Extension, or the local area aging unit. Independent personal trainers, consultants, and for-profit individuals/groups, or nonprofits not meeting the above criteria are NOT eligible to attend the training or to implement the StrongBodies program.
  3. All leaders are required to sign a scope of use agreement regarding the fidelity of the StrongBodies program, nonprofit use of the program only, as well as an understanding that this is not a train-the-trainer program (you are being trained to implement programs and are not permitted to train new trainers).
  4. Be actively strength training. Being physically active in general is, of course, important. But, the expectation is that you are very familiar with lifting weights and are personally committed to and regularly practicing the behavior. This is a mandatory criteria for eligibility.
  5. Have a firm commitment to starting a program in your community. This training is to teach you how to lead a StrongBodies class, and should not be attended simply for informational/personal purposes.

Sites Appropriate to Run a StrongBodies Program in WI Include:

Extension services, Senior centers, hospital outpatient centers, extension offices, offices on aging, aging and disability resource centers (ADRC), assisted living facilities, independent retirement communities, community fitness centers with a large population of older adults, places of worship, and other places where older adults convene.

Experience and Credentials

Below are the experience and qualifications that are optimal for becoming a StrongBodies Leader and running the program safely and effectively.

  • Experience in providing exercise instruction in a fitness center, community setting, outpatient hospital setting, or as a personal trainer.
  • Educational background in exercise or some aspect of public health. The appropriate educational background might include medicine, nursing, nutrition, exercise physiology, occupational/physical therapy, massage therapy, or community/public health.
  • Certification by reputable health and fitness organization. Organizations include the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA); the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM); the American Council on Exercise (ACE); the American Senior Fitness Association; the International Association of Fitness Professionals (IDEA); and the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research. We realize that this is not a complete list of organizations that certify individuals; the Program Leader may have a certification from another organization, and along with his/her education and experience, would be qualified to become a Program Leader.

Note for Potential Sites: Identifying a Program Leader with the above three attributes will contribute greatly to the safety and efficacy of the StrongBodies program. We recognize that some people who want to become Program Leaders may not have any formal education regarding health and fitness, and they may not possess a fitness-related certification. The decision of who becomes a Program Leader is up to you as a site manager, and the StrongBodies Ambassador of the workshop that your interested leader attends.

Space & Equipment

We recommended that the site have a room that is at least 200 square feet (ideally, 400 square feet) to run the program. The room should be well-lit and be free of clutter. In addition, there should be sturdy, armless chairs available in the room. Preferably, there should be a locked closet, either in the room or nearby where the exercise equipment (dumbbells and ankles weights) can be stored between classes. Finally, the entire building should be safe for people of all ages to access. The parking lot (if applicable) should be well-lit; there should be proper security of the facility; and the corridors and rest rooms should be safe and well-lit.

The StrongBodies Leader Training

At the StrongBodies Leader Training, program leaders will be trained on the exercise program itself, as well as how to effectively instruct and assist participants in learning the exercises. Additionally, the workshop will cover all topics found in the Toolkit, such as screening, safety, and effective leadership. Program leaders will be given guidance on how to schedule their programs, discuss space and equipment needs, and strategize about issues such as transportation and gaining local support and funding. Following the workshop, sites/program leaders will then be required to initiate at least one program in their community.

What is Included in the Registration Fee?

  • StrongBodies Toolkit, a manual that includes all information needed to safely promote, start, implement, and maintain the StrongBodies programs. (Includes the Beginner/Novice and Intermediate curriculums.)
  • A one day training, including lunch and breaks (see the agenda)
  • A PowerPoint presentation for marketing and providing informational meetings for your program
  • Exercise demonstrations, practice, and breakout sessions to learn the exercises and how to teach them to your participants
  • Support in getting your community program started and keeping it going

What will You Need?

  • Bring a towel or an exercise mat
  • Wear comfortable exercise clothing and close-toed shoes
  • A light set of of dumbbells (3 or 5 lbs work well; no substitutes such as water bottles or cans)
  • A single adjustable ankle weight (5-10 lb)
  • CPR certification

How Do You Register?

  • Complete the StrongBodies Leader Training Registration Form
    • Send your check or money order payable to UW-Madison to UW-Madison Attention: Kristina Davenport 432 N Lake Street. Madison, WI 53706
  • Receive confirmation letter that will be emailed to you prior to the training with event location and suggested hotel accommodations

Registration Fee (StrongBodies):

For Extension and Aging Unit staff/volunteers = $350

For Non Extension/Aging Units = $500 (Includes annual licensing fee)

Includes a training manual, learning the exercises, access to program website, promotional materials, a t-shirt, lunch, and light refreshments at breaks.

Registration Deadline:  Registration must be received TWO WEEKS prior to the training date. Enrollment is limited.

Questions about training or registration? Contact us: strongbodies@extension.wisc.edu

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