Fitness Australia announces Lift for Life start-up grants

Fitness Australia has announced a series of grants to make to make exercise programs more accessible as part of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Healthy Communities Initiative.

The grants, worth of up to $5,000 each, are for Lift for Life® programs in local government areas (LGAs) designated as part of the COAG Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI).

Lift for Life is a strength training program designed specifically for people with Type 2 diabetes based on research conducted at Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute.

Lift for Life is delivered as a series of supervised eitgh-week programs, conducted in small groups of no more than 12, in specially licensed facilities.

Fitness Australia Chief Executive Lauretta Stace believes that start-up grants are a great opportunity for fitness providers to offer an evidence-based strength training program at low-cost to current or new clients.

Stace explained "the Australian Government's Healthy Communities Initiative funding to Fitness Australia to support the delivery of the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute's Lift for Lifeï¾® program means it will now be more affordable for people from disadvantaged population groups to take up exercise, in an effort to prevent or reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases.

"This is an exciting time for the fitness industry because this grant is the first of its kind to be provided by the fitness industry association. To effectively engage with the target group we are seeking the involvement of providers who will build capacity to deliver fitness to marginalised community groups and display a commitment to practices that enhance referral pathways, data collection and program sustainability.

"Fitness Australia is thrilled to be providing start-up grants that will give many Australians, especially those in rural and remote communities, improved access to exercise for improved health."

Through the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health the Australian Government is providing $71.8 million over four years from 2009/10 under the HCI to support LGAs 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.

The first round of Fitness Australia's Lift for Life® Start-up Grant applications will open on 1st November 2011 and be available to fitness businesses located in COAG Healthy Communities Initiative funded areas.

Click here to check if your business is eligible follow the link below.

For more information contact Angela Palogiannidis, Marketing Manager - Lift for Life® on email: angela@fitness.org.au 

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