Scottsdale Community College (SCC) is thrilled to welcome back the Forever Fit program, a unique community initiative focused on improving senior health while giving SCC’s Exercise Science and Nutrition students hands-on internship experiences.
Originally launched in 2016, Forever Fit ran successfully for three years as a joint effort between SCC, HonorHealth, and the Scottsdale Senior Center, before taking a pause due to COVID-19. Now, the program is back and better than ever, thanks to HonorHealth and an exciting new partnership with Blue Zones Project Scottsdale.
Forever Fit isn’t your average fitness program – it blends group exercise classes, personalized training, and nutritional guidance, creating lasting health benefits and building meaningful connections among seniors. Each week, seniors participate in two group exercise sessions plus a personalized training session, all guided by dedicated SCC student interns.
Robert Martin is the Exercise Science, Personal Training, and Nutrition Program Director at SCC. He's on a mission to make the world a better, healthier place to live, and through his leadership of the Forever Fit program, he's helping bring out the best in students and seniors alike. “Our students gain invaluable real-world experience by leading training sessions and providing nutritional guidance,” he shares. “At the same time, our seniors get healthier, make friends, and feel more connected to their community. It's truly a win-win.”
For SCC’s Exercise Science students, the internship offers unmatched experience in personal training. They lead sessions, adapt workouts to meet individual client needs, and build professional confidence. Nutrition students similarly gain practical experience conducting comprehensive dietary analyses, making personalized recommendations for healthier living.
“Forever Fit provides experiences that students usually don't encounter until after graduation,” Martin says. “Our interns are gaining real professional skills, enhancing their resumes, and forming meaningful relationships with participants. It’s incredibly rewarding to see these interactions unfold.”
With the recent involvement of Blue Zones Project Scottsdale, Forever Fit has expanded to cover a broader approach to wellness, adding weekly wellness check-ins to support participants beyond fitness and nutrition alone.
An event in December celebrated the twelve seniors who completed Forever Fit IV. Representatives from the supporting organizations joined students and seniors to share their experiences.
“One of the biggest surprises of my entire life came when I retired from my professional career, when I started to feel unseen as a senior,” Bonnie Kabin told the room. “This program has done a lot for me in that sense. Blue Zones, HonorHealth, Scottsdale Senior Center, Scottsdale Community College: you’re seeing us, and you’re seeing us as vital members of this community. I really want to thank you all for that. You’ve restored my confidence in humanity!”
“It’s a model for the community, and I hope it is seen as such,” added Steve Weitzenkorn. “It’s rare that so many organizations come together and collaborate on something like this, something positive that is of real benefit to the community. It’s really wonderful.”
“The hard work and perseverance I’ve seen from all of you has been really inspiring,” said June Ziemek, one of the student interns. “I’m so proud of everyone involved here and I’m really happy that I got to know all of you.”
Looking ahead, the Forever Fit team dreams big. Martin aims to establish the program as a permanent offering every semester, nurturing a tight-knit community of seniors committed to healthier living.
“We envision Forever Fit becoming an integral part of Scottsdale’s wellness community,” Martin says. “We’re excited about the positive impact we can continue making, both for our students and seniors.”
For more information on Forever Fit and to sign up, please contact Robert Martin at robert.martin@scottsdalecc.edu or (480) 423-6205.