Adaptive Exercise

Adaptive Exercise Adaptive Exercise specializes in providing appropriate fitness programs with appropriate levels of support for people with autism and other special needs.

This past week was a planned taper week, which meant intentionally pulling things back a bit.I reduced both my lifting v...
06/22/2026

This past week was a planned taper week, which meant intentionally pulling things back a bit.

I reduced both my lifting volume and resistance to give my body a chance to recover after a busy stretch of training and racing. I was hoping to spend more time stretching and focusing on recovery, but work and life had other plans. While I didn't hit every goal, I still got some work done, and that's what matters.

The business side stayed busy too. I worked with 26 clients, coached 1 group class, kept up with daily breathwork, and enjoyed daily walks with Colby.

One thing training continues to teach me is that adaptation matters. You're not going to hit every mark every week. The important thing is finding a way to keep moving forward.

Breakdown:

• 🏃‍♂️ Miles run: 26
• 🏋️‍♂️ Minutes lifted: 150
• 🤸‍♂️ Minutes stretched: 40
• 🧘 Daily breathwork
• 👥 Clients trained: 26
• 👥 Group classes: 1
• 🐾 Daily morning walks with Colby

Not every successful week is about doing more. Sometimes it's about doing enough to stay consistent and keeping the bigger goal in mind.

06/19/2026

Cardio doesn't have to look the same for everyone.

In this video you'll see several of my clients working on aerobic exercises, but each one is doing something a little different. Some need extra support, some can work more independently, some are moving at a higher intensity, and others are focused on building endurance at a pace that works for them.

The goal isn't for everyone to perform the same exercise. The goal is to find an appropriate exercise and intensity level that allows each person to be successful.

Whether it's modifying an exercise, adjusting the intensity, providing physical support, or changing the setup entirely, there are countless ways to help someone participate in cardiovascular exercise.

Different exercises. Different levels of support. Different intensities.

But everyone is moving, everyone is working hard, and everyone is getting their cardio in.

Great job everyone! 👏

Progress isn't always measured by adding more weight.In adaptive exercise, some of the biggest victories have nothing to...
06/18/2026

Progress isn't always measured by adding more weight.

In adaptive exercise, some of the biggest victories have nothing to do with the number on a dumbbell.

Progress can mean performing more repetitions, moving with better form, needing less support, improving balance, increasing range of motion, or completing an exercise more independently.

Sometimes the greatest sign of progress is seeing a client do something today that they couldn't do a few months ago.

That's why it's important to look beyond the weight and celebrate all the small victories along the way. Those small victories add up to meaningful long-term success.

Every step forward—no matter how small—is still progress.

06/17/2026

Three athletes. One exercise. Three different setups.

In this video you'll see three of my clients performing lunges, but each one looks a little different. That's intentional.

The goal isn't to make every athlete perform a movement exactly the same way. The goal is to find the version of the movement that is appropriate for that individual right now.

Sometimes an athlete needs help with balance. Sometimes they need assistance bending their knee. Sometimes they need support understanding the movement pattern itself. Whatever barrier exists, our job as coaches is to provide the appropriate level of support so the athlete can be successful.

Over time, we can modify the setup, reduce assistance, and gradually build independence. Progress doesn't happen by forcing everyone into the same box—it happens by meeting people where they are and giving them the support they need to move forward.

Great work by all three athletes. 👏

Looking for a fun, supportive way to get moving this weekend?Join us this Saturday at 10:00 AM for our Adaptive Exercise...
06/16/2026

Looking for a fun, supportive way to get moving this weekend?

Join us this Saturday at 10:00 AM for our Adaptive Exercise Group Class hosted in partnership with Open Sky Community Services!

This class is designed for individuals of all abilities and focuses on improving strength, coordination, balance, fitness, and confidence in a positive and encouraging environment. Whether you're new to exercise or already active, everyone is welcome.

📅 Saturday, June 20
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 On the Plaza
50 Douglas Road
Whitinsville, MA 01588

Register here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948A9AF29A6F8C52-64357042-adaptive

We hope to see you there!

This past week was one of those weeks where everything seemed to come together.I have a taper week coming up, so I decid...
06/15/2026

This past week was one of those weeks where everything seemed to come together.

I have a taper week coming up, so I decided to push a little harder than usual with both my own training and my caseload while I was feeling good. Thankfully, it paid off on both fronts.

Several of my clients had standout sessions this week. Watching people break through barriers, perform movements with more confidence, or hit new milestones never gets old. Those moments are a big part of what keeps me motivated.

My own training went well too. I set a new 5K personal record on my 38th birthday, which was a pretty cool way to celebrate getting a year older. I also made a last-minute decision to jump into the Nipmuck South Trail Race on Sunday. The heat, humidity, hills, and technical terrain made it much tougher than I expected, but it was a great reminder of the value of adapting, staying resilient, and finishing what you start.

Colby's contribution to this week's post: ignoring the "No Dogs on Field" sign and proudly posing in the dirt with the biggest smile on his face.

Now it's time to pull things back a bit, recover, and head into a taper week feeling healthy and strong.

Looking ahead, this week will be one of the busiest of the year with 3 group classes and a packed schedule of client sessions. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help so many people move, grow, and succeed through exercise.

Breakdown:
• 🏃‍♂️ Miles run: 26
• 🏋️‍♂️ Minutes lifted: 210
• 🤸‍♂️ Minutes stretched: 65
• 🧘 Daily breathwork
• ❄️ A few cold showers
• 👥 Clients trained: 24
• 👥 Group classes: 2
• 🐾 Daily morning walks with Colby

A strong week doesn't always come from doing more.

Sometimes it comes from being consistent long enough that you're ready when the opportunities show up.

Yesterday I completed the Nipmuck South Trail Race in Mansfield, CT.This was a pretty last-minute decision. I wanted to ...
06/15/2026

Yesterday I completed the Nipmuck South Trail Race in Mansfield, CT.

This was a pretty last-minute decision. I wanted to squeeze in one more race before the summer gets busy and before life starts looking a little different this fall.

The race ended up being much tougher than I expected. Between the heat, humidity, hills, and technical trails, every mile had its own challenge. The rugged terrain got the best of me more than a few times and I took several falls throughout the race. Thankfully, I was able to get back up each time, avoid any significant injuries, and keep moving toward the finish.

One thing I love about endurance events is how closely they mirror the work I do with my clients. Progress rarely happens in a straight line. Sometimes conditions are tougher than expected, plans need to change, and setbacks happen. The key is adapting, staying consistent, and continuing to move forward.

It wasn't my fastest race and it certainly wasn't the easiest, but it was a great reminder that growth often happens when we're willing to take on challenges outside of our comfort zone.

One more adventure in the books before shifting focus to family, business, and whatever comes next.


06/13/2026

When people see Brian pressing a 30-pound barbell overhead, it's easy to focus on where he is now. What they don't see is where we started.

This exercise used to be extremely challenging for Brian. Rather than forcing the movement, we broke it down and started with 4-pound sandbells. We focused on learning proper technique, developing control, and building confidence with the movement pattern.

From there, we slowly progressed over time, adding reps, improving consistency, and gradually increasing resistance as Brian demonstrated he was ready for more.

Today, Brian is performing sets with a 30-pound barbell overhead.

Progress like this doesn't happen overnight. It comes from meeting someone where they are, providing the right level of challenge, and making small improvements week after week. Sometimes the most impressive part of a performance isn't what you see today, it's remembering where it began.

06/11/2026

One of the things I love most about adaptive exercise is that no two athletes look exactly the same.

In this video you'll see several different athletes performing a variety of exercises at different levels. Some movements may look similar, but the supports, adaptations, and expectations are often completely different based on the individual's strengths, needs, and goals.

At Adaptive Exercise, we meet athletes where they are. That means modifying exercises when needed, providing the appropriate level of support, and creating opportunities for success while still challenging each person to grow.

For one athlete, success may mean performing a movement independently. For another, success may mean following directions, improving range of motion, increasing confidence, or simply being willing to try something new.

The goal isn't to make everyone exercise the same way.

The goal is to find the right exercise, at the right level, with the right support, so each athlete can be successful and continue progressing over time.

This is what adaptive fitness looks like in the home environment.

06/10/2026

This video shows Joanna performing a modified version of frog squats.

As trainers, we often think about the exercise itself, but just as important is thinking about how to make the exercise successful for the individual performing it.

For Joanna, I made several modifications to provide clear visual, tactile, and physical cues throughout the movement. She stands on two footprint visuals to help with foot placement and squats down over a large medicine ball, which gives her a consistent target and tactile cue for where to lower her body each repetition.

I also placed a low step in front of her so she has a clear destination for her hands at the bottom of the squat. This helps improve consistency, control, and confidence throughout the movement.

At the same time, I'm performing the exercise alongside her, modeling each repetition while providing high tens and praise at the stand and reach portion of every rep.

Sometimes progress isn't about finding a new exercise. It's about finding the right way to teach the exercise so the client can be successful.

That's where creativity, patience, and individualized coaching come together.

Address

130 May Street
Worcester, MA
01602

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 8pm
Sunday 9am - 1:30pm

Telephone

+15087352949

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