Adaptive Fitness Coaching

Currently accepting in person clients in the Chico (CA) area.

Welcome to Mind Path, where we empower the lives of people with disabilities through movement. It is our firm conviction that strength training (and fitness in general) is for everyone. We design custom, inclusive, and adaptive fitness training for people with developmental disabilities. Our fitness coaching takes a people first approach, placing a great deal of emphasis on the relational aspect of the training.

What is Adaptive Fitness Coaching?

Adaptive fitness is specialized fitness training that is catered to the needs of individuals with unique cognitive/physical challenges. Adaptive Fitness Coaching hyper-focuses on the individual and how to best accommodate them according to their specific goals. Many things can be altered or modified to best suit the needs of the client. Examples of this are flexibility in exercise selection, exercise order, exercise equipment, environment, and even exercise demonstration (i.e. using visual demonstrations with a whiteboard or picture cards.) Adaptive fitness coaches will create predictable routines for the client, while simultaneously being flexible to allow for in-the-moment-alterations if needed.

Who is this for?

Adaptive fitness is designed for (but not limited to) people with developmental disabilities and special needs. We accept clients from elementary age all the way to adulthood with all experience levels. Whether you or your family member have never exercised, or you have some experience, we are here to support our client’s goals. For some this could mean being strong enough to stand up from a chair on their own, or for some it could mean feeling confident and independent enough to work out in a commercial gym one day.

How is it different than regular fitness coaching?

Regular fitness coaching aka personal training (whether that be 1 on 1 training or group fitness classes) in general can follow a more “one size fits all approach” and can be rigid. Adaptive Fitness also places a high priority on improving quality of life versus aesthetic only goals.

What are the benefits of Adaptive Fitness Training?

Higher quality of life by: increased independence, pain relief, builds muscle and strength, improves cardiorespiratory fitness, increases flexibility and range of motion, improves balance and coordination, lowers symptoms of depression/stress/anxiety, enhances emotional well-being, improves quality of sleep, improves heart health, and lowers the risk of chronic diseases including Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, High Blood Pressure/other cardiovascular related diseases.

Where does the training take place?

Currently we are offering in home training sessions or meeting at local parks. We are in the process of finding our own training studio, and are excited to have that available to our clients.

Here are some of our values at Mind Path:

Mission: To empower the lives of people with disabilities through movement.

Vision: To make a world where every person with disabilities can live out their potential through fitness.


Servant Leadership: We take our clients from where they are to where they would like to be, taking all ego out of the equation.

Fierce Empathy: An active approach on understanding our clients needs, feelings, and goals.This is built on a foundation of rapport, connection, and ultimately trust. An approach like this allows us to hold our clients to the standard we know they are capable of.

Insatiable Learning: Before we are coaches, we are students. We continuously look to better ourselves through education, training and experience to become better practitioners of fitness coaching.

To get started, please fill out the contact form below. We accept payment from the SDP (self-determination program via the Far Northern Regional Center) along with private pay. For more information about getting your/your family member’s personal training covered by the above mentioned program, please contact the FNRC.