A Vision For Fitness
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Why is fitness important?
According to a Health and Research Evaluation conducted by Special Olympics International, when compared to their neurotypical peers, people with intellectual disabilities are:
more likely to be obese
more likely to have cardiovascular disease
more likely to have diabetes
years of reduced life expectancy
Fitness Newsletter
Created by athletes for fellow athletes, sign up to read quarterly stories and tips.
Get Involved
Learn about the three core fitness programs for athletes and coaches, designed to help people of all abilities come together to reach their fitness goals. Each program offers education, resources, and ongoing support to be successful.
Learn
Read, watch, exercise and develop healthy habits with the Resource Library and athlete newsletter!
Fitness Certifications
Athletes and volunteers can notch education to transform athlete health across Virginia!
What is the Vision for Fitness?
Relationships drive impact. The relationships people with and without disabilities build from a shared love of sport result in change. It is with the confidence that communities thrive when they include disability that we embark on a mission to transform fitness culture in Virginia.
Affiliate Gyms
Gyms in the Affiliate Gym partnership initiative have taken action to provide fitness opportunities that are inclusive to people with disabilities. Affiliate Gyms have completed the SOVA Fitness Affiliate Training and are equipped to welcome people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Special Olympics Virginia is proud of its Affiliate Gyms!
Are you interested in becoming an Affiliate Gym? Learn more here.
Are you interested in becoming an Affiliate Gym? Learn more here.
Planet Fitness Virginia Beach
4001 Virginia Beach Blvd
Suite 126
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Suite 126
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Boco Fit Rage
4050 Lee Hwy
Troutville, VA 24175
Troutville, VA 24175
Measuring Fitness Impact
In 2022, Special Olympics Virginia and Old Dominion University's Center for Movement, Health, and Disability embarked on a research project to track the physical health and mental health markers of Special Olympics Virginia athletes. This data demonstrates the extent to which athletes adopt a fitness lifestyle and transform the unfavorable health statistics in their favor.
