With over half of U.S. adults living with at least one chronic disease or medical condition, there’s a growing demand for professionals who can bridge the gap between healthcare and fitness. The solution? A new wave of educated, specialized fitness professionals trained to work with clinical populations.
A Broken System, By the Numbers
Despite massive healthcare spending, the U.S. continues to struggle with preventable health outcomes:
- The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other country, yet ranks 49th in life expectancy.¹
- Among peer nations, the U.S. has the lowest life expectancy for both men and women.²
- The U.S. leads in obesity rates, nearly twice the average, and the highest rate of people with multiple chronic conditions.³
- We also see the highest rates of hospitalizations and deaths from treatable or avoidable conditions.³
- Overall, the U.S. ranks just 35th out of 169 countries in global citizen health.⁴
These sobering statistics paint a clear picture: Our system focuses heavily on treatment, not prevention.
Exercise is Medicine!
Physical activity is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent and manage chronic disease. The evidence is overwhelming. An increase in physical activity directly correlates with improved health outcomes, across nearly every domain of health.
A Study by the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine reveals physical activity-related health benefits for adults, both healthy and with medical conditions/chronic diseases.
| ADULTS | |
| All-cause mortality | Lower risk |
| Cardiometabolic conditions | Lower cardiovascular incidence and mortality (including heart disease and stroke) Lower incidence of hypertension Lower incidence of type 2 diabetes |
| Cancer | Lower incidence of bladder, breast, color, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, stomach, and lung cancers |
| Brain Health | Reduced risk of dementia Improved cognitive function Improved cognitive function following bouts of aerobic activity Improved quality of life Improved sleep Reduced feelings of anxiety and depression in healthy people and in people with existing clinical syndromes Reduced incidence of depression |
| Weight Status | Reduced risk of excessive weight gain Weight loss and the prevention of weight regain following initial weight loss when a sufficient dose of moderate-to- vigorous physical activity is attained An additive effect on weight loss when combined with moderate dietary restriction |
| OLDER ADULTS | |
| Falls | Reduced incidence of falls incidence of fall-related injuries |
| Physical Function | Improved physical function in older adults with or without frailty |
| INDIVIDUALS WITH PREEXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS | |
| Breast Cancer | Reduced risk of all-cause and breast cancer mortality |
| Colorectal cancer | Reduced risk of all-cause and colorectal cancer mortality |
| Prostate Cancer | Reduced risk of prostate cancer mortality |
| Osteoarthritis | Decreased pain Improved function and quality of life |
| Hypertension | Reduced risk of progression of cardiovascular disease risk of increased blood pressure over time |
| Type 2 Diabetes | Reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality Reduced progression of disease indicators: hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, blood lipids, and body mass index |
| Multiple Sclerosis | Improved walking Improved physical fitness |
| Dementia | Improved cognition |
Why Education Matters: The Role of Medical Fitness Professionals
To work effectively with clients dealing with chronic diseases, aging-related conditions, or post-rehab needs, you must go beyond a general personal training certification.
Specialized education is critical. You need:
- A deep understanding of medical conditions you are working with.
- The ability to design safe, customized programs that account for limitations, medications, and symptoms.
- Communication skills to collaborate with healthcare professionals.
- A passion for service, empathy, and whole-person wellness.
Medical fitness professionals are a vital extension of the healthcare team, and their impact can be life-changing.
Take the Next Steps
Whether you’re just starting or already working in the space, the MedFit Global Virtual Conference is the ultimate opportunity to expand your expertise in medical fitness.
📅 October 22–26, 2025, 100% virtual event
✔ Attend from anywhere — 100% virtual event! If you can’t watch live, your registration includes 6 month access to recordings after the live event.
✔ Gain evidence-based strategies from 85+ expert-led sessions across diverse health topics.
✔ Learn how to build a thriving practice in the medical fitness space.
✔ Earn CEUs while expanding your ability to serve clients with chronic conditions.
Use coupon MEDFIT to save 25% off registration for this event!
Register at https://www.fbasucceed.com/medfit
References
1. US News and World Report, World Bank Data, 2022
2. Peterson KFF, Health Systems Tracker
3. U.S. Health Care from a Global Perspective, Commonwealth Fund
4. 2019 Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index
