
About Fitness for Health
In 1989, Marc Sickel founded a company to help families facing the same physical and emotional challenges he experienced growing up with special needs. That vision became Fitness for Health, whose unique approach creates solutions that work—even for families who’ve tried almost everything.
Marc used his perspective to create a safe, engaging fitness approach that addresses both the physical and emotional challenges faced by individuals of all abilities. This innovative approach combines his unique Success Builds Success methodology, a dual-tasking focus, state-of-the-art exergaming equipment, and a team of dedicated and compassionate professionals to help children and adults develop the motivation and confidence they need to learn new skills and take on new challenges.

Success Builds Success
Our Success Builds Success approach is designed to help you reach small, attainable goals. With every achievement, you’ll discover that you’ve gained the confidence to take more risks and challenge yourself onto the next success. We make this possible through:
-
Goals and activities custom-tailored to your comfort level
-
Exergaming equipment that combines technology and movement to create challenges that are fun, not intimidating
-
A safe, nurturing environment and coaching style

Dual-Tasking
Dual Tasking Focus: All our equipment and activities are designed to combine executive function skills with functional tasks, promoting simultaneous cognitive and physical engagement. This dual tasking approach ensures that children engage both their minds and bodies simultaneously, promoting better coordination and integration of skills.
-
Executive Functioning: Activities are designed to challenge executive functions such as planning, working memory, attention, and problem-solving.
-
Cognitive Engagement: Tasks often involve decision-making and critical thinking, encouraging children to process sensory information and respond appropriately.


Not just Exercise: Exergaming
Exergaming combines the fun of video games, cutting-edge, high-tech equipment, and other creative tools with proven fitness tactics—such as heart-pumping movement or core building balance—to help children and adults build their strength, fitness, and self-confidence while having the most fun possible.
With exergaming, our clients have so much fun that they often forget or fail to realize that they’re also working out. The combination of physical movement and cognitive challenges helps stimulate brain activity, offering a fun, low-stress way to develop both physical and cognitive abilities. When the boredom or intimidation of traditional workouts disappears, both children and adults are inspired to keep going, take new risks, and eagerly return for each session.
Additionally, exergaming can help promote social interaction and emotional regulation by encouraging cooperative play, where children work together to achieve goals, communicate strategies, and celebrate successes. The structured, yet flexible environment of exergames allows for shared experiences that foster positive social connections, while the game's feedback systems—such as rewards or visual cues—can guide children in managing their emotions, reinforcing calmness, patience, and persistence. These interactive elements provide a fun and engaging way to practice and develop social skills and emotional self-control in a supportive, non-threatening context.
Marc Sickel
Founder and President
A nationally recognized innovator in the field of exergaming, fitness, and special needs therapy, Marc Sickel founded Fitness for Health in 1989 to fulfill his dream of helping children and adults maximize their physical potential. Marc has been featured on the Today Show, O Magazine, Huffington Post, The Washington Post, Forbes.com, Bethesda Magazine, and Tennis Magazine, as well as countless regional publications and news programs.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Sarah Wayland
There’s something here for everyone! The games are engaging and fun. Before you know it, you are getting a workout and having a great time too.

FFH Parent
Fantastic trainers who know how to work with the children who meet the children on their level

Myra C.
This place is like the ultimate playground! Brought my child here for OT and he loved it. The owner is great, and the staff is amazing.
