Through the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health the Australian Government is providing $71.8 million over four years from 2009-10 under the Healthy Communities Initiative to support Local Government Areas in delivering effective community-based physical activity and healthy eating programs, as well as developing a range of local policies that support healthy lifestyle behaviours. Fitness Australia, in partnership with the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute are funded under this initiative to deliver the Lift for Life® program.
Brief outline of Program: The Lift for Life® program is an evidence-based strength training program, developed by researchers at Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute. The program is conducted in small groups over six months, with three distinct eight week phases; Bronze, Silver and Gold.
The program involves:• Baseline assessment: Participants must undertake an initial assessment to measure strength and functional capacity. • Progressive resistance training program: An individualised resistance training program is provided for each participant, to be undertaken in small groups under the supervision of accredited Lift for Life® Trainers. Two supervised sessions are held each week. In the Silver and Gold phases, participants have the option to add a third session, which can be unsupervised. • Assessment/Review/Modification: Follow-up assessments, program reviews and modifications are undertaken after each eight week phase and a progress report is provided to participants at this time.
Program target: Lift for Life® may be suitable for adults of all ages, including people with, or at risk of, Type II diabetes or other chronic diseases.
Training provided to those who deliver the Program: Lift for Life® uses a train-the-trainer model to accredit exercise professionals to deliver the program. These exercise professionals are required to undertake a two day face-to-face Lift for Life® training course.
Training courses will be held in each state and territory. They are delivered by specially trained exercise physiologists and provide the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver the Lift for Life® program.
Support for Life for Life® Providers: All Lift for Life® providers receive ongoing support from the Lift for Life® Team at Fitness Australia. Fitness Australia will help broker relationships with local community stakeholders, including Divisions of General Practice, community health services, Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisations, Rec Link coordinators, cultural community groups, etc.
The program website allows Lift for Life® Providers and trainers to access a secure portal to manage participant data, print participant progress reports and certificates and access program resources. Fitness Australia will also provide program collateral including A4 and DL size brochures to support the promotion of the program at the local level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there enough capacity on the ground to run the program? Fitness Australia, as the Health & Fitness Industry Association represents over 24,000 exercise professionals nationally. You would be surprised by how many exercise professionals there are working in each Local Government Area across the country. When you implement Lift for Life® we work together to target and communicate with the exercise professionals in your area to promote the Lift for Life® Accreditation Training and the Healthy Communities Initiative.
Lift for Life® can be delivered by: • Certificate IV, Level Two Exercise Professionals • Exercise Physiologists • Physiotherapists In areas of workforce shortages the Lift for Life® program can be run by Aboriginal Health Workers, Health Promotion Officers and Certificate III trained exercise professionals under the guidance of more experienced exercise professionals. We call this our Community Facilitator / Mentor Model. For more information about this please contact us.
Why is the cost of Subsidising Lift for Life®?Lift for Life® can be funded and subsidised a number of different ways. Please contact the Lift for Life® Team for more information and a sample funding arrangement.
What equipment is required? Although Lift for Life® is a resistance training program, it does not need to be delivered in a fitness facility with expensive resistance training equipment. The program can be run in a variety of settings including in community halls, and parks. Experienced Exercise Professionals are able to design a resistance training program with minimal resistance training equipment, sometimes a set of dumbbell's or a rubber resistance band will be enough.
What do participants get out of the program? Lift for Life® participants get more than just the physical benefits of a strength training program. They also gain knowledge and experience with: • Goal setting - Each participant sets their own training goals in conjunction with their trainer, who will then go on to support them every step of the way • Working as part of a team - Participants works as part of a training tem to motivate and support each other to achieve their goals • Demystifying the gym environment - Some people don't realise that fitness facilities are welcoming and supportive... it's getting through the front door that's the hard part. Being a part of Lift for Life® introduces participants to the gym environment, and many participants ‘graduate' to full time gym routine after completing Lift for Life®.
