Beginning with a purpose. The Women’s Health Fitness Institute (WHFI) was organized during the Winter of 2005-2006 exclusively for scientific research and public education purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

While important and effective in laboratory research, traditional male-centered models of sport and recreational activity do not meet the needs of 80% of women. Understanding this, WHFI elects a different model for effective health fitness programming: 

WHFI’s public education focuses on dissemination of research findings through print and media outlets, public seminars and website information services, as well as practical guidelines to help women and their families become healthy and fit. The website includes information on the impact of women’s health fitness programs research, the Institute’s current research projects, and information about supporting WHFI’s purpose.

• reduced rates of drug use and teenage pregnancy

• reduced discomforts from menstruation, pregnancy, labor, birth, recovery & menopause

• reduced risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and premature birth

• potentially shorter active labor and reduced risk of cesarean delivery

• more rapid return to joyful activities, less excess weight following birth

• mother-infant interaction, leading to infant psychomotor enhancement

• reduced rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes

• reduced rates of some cancers, osteoporosis, falls and loss of muscle mass

• improved social support, networking and stress management skills

• greater belief in one’s ability to be strong and capable (self-confidence & self-efficacy)

How did WHFI begin? Two major events helped create the environment in which current programming and research in women’s fitness has been made possible, and by extension, in which WHFI could appear. One was the publication in 1968 of Cooper’s book, Aerobics. Following this, aerobic dancing (more amenable to most women than sports or warfare, the other major fitness rubrics) became a significant phenomenon. The other event was the publication in 1974 of Herbert Benson’s article, “The Relaxation Response”, in the journal Psychiatry. While it has taken longer for various forms that provide the relaxation—or “trophotropic”--response to become popular, we have learned over time that Pilates, Feldenkrais, Alexander, yoga, and other techniques that reduce stress, have much to offer women.

In the last third of the 20^th Century, exercise programs based on aerobic movement and mind/body skills appealed tremendously to women and began to take their place alongside weight-lifting as legitimate offerings of gyms, community centers, recreational programs and hospital heart health facilities. One of these programs was Dancing Thru Pregnancy®, founded in 1979, which has now extended its influence beyond the bounds of the U.S. to Africa, the Middle East, South America and Asia. Because styles and fads come and go, and because DTP® based its work on principles of exercise, rather than methods that go in and out of fashion, DTP® developed the ability to replicate and implement its programs live. It bases its programming on current scientific understanding of how various exercise components are effective, growing and evolving as knowledge grows and evolves, but maintaining its core methodology undiluted by fads.

Eventually, the process of following the research has led to the need to participate in the research. DTP®—the consumer program—had to be separated from the more public-minded task of researching why and how it works, and to locate and examine other woman-centered fitness programs that also have long-term successful track records. Most importantly, if we are to extend the benefits of safe, effective, health fitness to all women regardless of race, age, socioeconomic status, or geography—as well as to their children, families, and communities—a new entity had to come into being.

Thus, WHFI was born:  A non-profit, research and education organization, providing a source of reliable, scientifically-sound information about how women benefit from physical fitness, how to find a safe and reliable program, and how to take simple steps that lead to women’s health fitness through the life cycle.