Special Olympics Indiana expands its Train 4 Life program to include Noblesville

Wellness program focuses on strength building & holistic health habits for individuals with intellectual disabilities

The REPORTER

Special Olympics Indiana has expanded its Train 4 Life initiative, bringing its free fitness program designed for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) that includes partnerships with facilities in seven communities.

Train 4 Life focuses on fitness, nutrition and mental health for Special Olympics athletes ages 13 and older. The 12-week program includes pre- and post-program biometric and fitness testing, group workouts, weekly nutrition and healthy lifestyle education. By developing these healthy choices within individuals, the program allows athletes to see measured outcomes and continue good habits throughout their lifetimes.

Studies have shown that nearly three-quarters of adults with ID and half of youth with ID are overweight or obese. People with ID are four times more likely to acquire Type 2 diabetes and a quarter of them have low bone density.

Preliminary results from the five pilot programs in 2024 include:

• 76.6 percent improvement in upper body strength.
• 40.6 percent improvement in lower body strength.
• 14.5 percent improvement in endurance.
• 2 percent improvement in blood pressure.

“This program is an incredible opportunity for our athletes to get health and fitness training outside of their chosen sports seasons,” Special Olympics Indiana President and CEO Jeff Mohler said. “By improving their physical fitness and well-being, we are helping to set them up for longer, more fit lives.”

The program’s 2025 sites include:

• CrossFit HSE, Noblesville
• Mad Apple CrossFit, Fort Wayne
• Purdue University Recreation, West Lafayette
• Reclaim, Greensburg
• THIRST, Terre Haute
• Three Cord Fitness, Greenwood
• Unbreakable Athletics Academy, Plainfield

Participants will work out alongside individuals without intellectual disabilities in order to build a sense of mentorship, friendship and community. The program’s model is designed to meet individuals where they are and set achievable goals as they progress and take on increasing physical challenges.

Special Olympics Indiana will continue to monitor and report results. The goal is to expand the program to all 92 Indiana counties.

“Through the Train 4 Life, we are helping athletes improve their performance on the field while also making a measurable impact on their long-term health,” Special Olympics Indiana Manager of Health and Fitness Kyle Moran said. “By partnering with gyms that hold the same values as Special Olympics Indiana, we build up both our athletes and our communities – one rep at a time.”

About Special Olympics Indiana
Special Olympics Indiana is a nonprofit organization that is part of the global Special Olympics movement, created by the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation for the benefit of persons with intellectual disabilities. Its vision is an inclusive world, driven by the power of sport, through which people with intellectual disabilities live active, healthy, and fulfilling lives.