Fit Abilities participants
Joleen Bingham, of Lewisberry, said it “broke my heart” that there’s “not a lot of fitness” for the special needs population who surpass school age.
That’s why Bingham, whose two of three children are on the autism spectrum, founded Fit Abilities at 13 Stripes Fitness in October with Estreya Rosado of Hershey.
Although Bingham no longer is with the program, Rosado continues to run Fit Abilities at the former 13 Stripes Fitness in Dillsburg, now rebranded as Avenger Athletics. Rosado also plans to expand Fit Abilities to Avenger Athletic locations in West Hanover Township and Newport at a date “to be determined in the first quarter of 2026,” she said.
“This is a program designed to make fitness and movement safe, supportive and truly inclusive for people with intellectual and physical disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries and more,” Bingham said.
Rosado said that she and Bingham started the endeavor to help “an underserved population.” She is CEO of Avenger Athletics, offering strength training, weight training, life coaching and more, in addition to Fit Abilities.
So far, the program offers small group classes and one-on-one coaching for clients ages 16 and up, with expansion planned for school-age children in January. Rosado said that she also would like to see Fit Abilities partner with other organizations for greater access to the disabled population in the future.
Fit Abilities’ groups are intentionally set at a maximum of six participants, so that each person receives dedicated attention.
“Whether you’re working out one-on-one or with a group, you’ll always be seen, heard and encouraged,” the program’s website states.
Fit Abilities also notes that “everyone’s starting point is different,” so workouts are designed around each participant’s current mobility, coordination and comfort level.
Bingham said that she’s leaving it up to her two children whether they sign up for Fit Abilities sessions. “They can make up their own minds to participate,” she noted.
Quality of Life
As many know, physical activity is an important component in maintaining health, well-being and quality of life. For people with disabilities, physical activity fosters daily living activities and independence. It also helps reduce anxiety and depression.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, one in four adults is living with a disability defined as seriously affecting walking or climbing stairs, hearing, seeing, concentrating, remembering, making decisions, completing errands alone and dressing or bathing.
In turn, adults with disabilities are more likely to have obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes or cancer than adults without disabilities, the CDC states. Physical activity is important as it can reduce the risk and/or help manage these chronic conditions.
Unfortunately, less than half of U.S. adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (i.e. mobility disability) report taking part in aerobic physical activity. Of those who are active, walking is the most common activity, yet adults with disabilities report more environmental barriers for this activity than those who aren’t disabled.
That’s where Fit Abilities fits in.
“People with special needs are special just like everyone else, but their brain works a little differently,” Bingham said. “They look at life a little differently.”
In addition, the relationship goes both ways, benefiting both the participants and the instructors.
“I like that I get to help people,” Rosado noted.
For more information about Fit Abilities at Avenger Athletics, visit www.13stripesfitness.com or call 717-420-9898.
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