Community fitness programs

Fitness programs can be offered in a variety of public settings including community, senior, fitness, and
community wellness centers and outdoor settings such as parks. Program offerings vary by location, but
often include exercise classes such as aerobic dance classes, Zumba, Pilates, yoga, Tai Chi, and
spinning/indoor cycling.

Expected Beneficial Outcomes (Rated)

Increased physical activity

Improved physical fitness

Other Potential Beneficial Outcomes

Improved mental health

Evidence of Effectiveness

There is strong evidence that fitness and exercise programs offered in community settings increase
physical activity levels and improve physical fitness for participating adults and older adults1, 2, 3, 4,
particularly when these activities are offered with social support interventions5.

A variety of fitness activities have been shown to be effective in community settings. Aerobic dance
classes such as Step, Bodycombat, TAEBO, and Pump, for example, can be as effective as jogging for
calories expended6. Zumba and aerobic dance may also decrease body fat mass and improve aerobic
capacity4, 7 and may increase flexibility more in comparison with other sports, such as soccer, jogging,
or yoga7 though more research is needed. Spinning/indoor cycling classes can be high intensity
exercise, so may not be suitable for older adults or sedentary middle-aged adults8, 9, 10. Tai Chi appears
to engage older adults in non-sedentary behavior11, improve balance, reduce falls12, and improve
cognitive function13. Recent research suggests Tai Chi may also improve cardiorespiratory fitness, but
stronger, longer-term studies are needed to confirm effects14. Yoga can improve blood pressure, HDL
cholesterol, triglycerides, and many cardiovascular risk factors15, 16, 17. In older adults, yoga has been
shown to improve health outcomes, physical function, and mental well-being3. Pilates has been shown
to improve flexibility, balance, and endurance among participants2. Such group-based exercise activities
can also improve mental well-being for older adults18 and may reduce overall
ri