Free Community FAU-Well Program Now in 35th Year

Time and again, research has shown that regular exercise can improve one’s quality of life and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. The FAU-Well program, hosted by the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science’s Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion (ESHP), offers a well-rounded health-fitness program as a free community service.

Now in its 35th year, the FAU-Well program provides no-cost fitness assessments, supervised exercise sessions, strength training, group conditioning, blood pressure monitoring, and pulse rate checks. The bi-weekly sessions are open to anyone who wants to exercise, but the program is primarily designed for community-dwelling older adults, aged 60 and over.

B. Sue Graves, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Schmidt College of Science, launched the program on May 18, 1988, as a free community service program for FAU faculty and staff and the surrounding Boca Raton community. As a lifelong educator in exercise physiology, biomechanics, and physical education, she understands the importance of keeping South Florida’s aging population moving.

“For me, keeping people active with exercise at any age, especially over 60, is immensely rewarding,” shared Graves. “Watching the intergenerational interactions between our students and the FAU-Well program participants is also very gratifying.”

Program participants work to improve their overall health and fitness in a safe, supervised environment. Graves trains ESHP undergraduate and graduate students to teach the sessions and administer exercise tests to determine participants’ aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels, plus balance and flexibility. Results from the exercise assessment enable ESHP faculty and students to provide each person with a tailored program for optimal health enhancement.

“I feel fortunate to have found and been admitted to the FAU-Well program that fosters health and well-being to seniors through exercise, research articles on studies that promote ideas and discussions, and interactions with students who are eager to learn - all of this under the guidance of Dr. Graves who has more energy than all of us put together! Thank you for this wonderful experience,” expressed Romayne Kahley, a native of Savannah, GA, who joined the program in February 2022.

The program also offers participants the added benefit of social interaction, not only with their peers, but also with students. In turn, ESHP students gain experience working with different community populations and fitness levels, which will aid them in their future careers.

“The program has been a wonderful experience for me,” said Jodi Morawiec, current ESHP M.S. graduate assistant. “I enjoy the social interactions and connections we get to make with a demographic that I might not have interacted with otherwise! These adults challenge me to be on top of my game and be resourceful for them. Overall, the program has opened me up to a new perspective on what adults like them can achieve in the fitness world.”

All prospective participants must have medical clearance prior to beginning the program. The FAU-Well staff is happy to help interested participants obtain this information.

Program Details

Days:  Mondays and Wednesdays

Time:  8:00 to 9:30 a.m.

Location:  FAU Boca Raton campus, Field House 11-A

Cost:  Free

Register:  Contact Sue Graves at  sgraves@fau.edu  or call 561-297-1301

Learn more:   https://science.fau.edu/departments/eshp/fauwell/