For individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, fitness can mean much more than getting stronger or improving endurance. The right approach to movement can help people develop confidence, establish healthier routines, build physical skills and work toward greater independence. Traditional fitness programs, however, aren't always designed around the needs of people who learn, communicate or experience the world differently.
James Anderson, CSCS, founder of Better Everyday Athletics, believes effective inclusive fitness starts with one simple principle: meet people where they are. His philosophy, detailed in his book Legacy of Health: A Parent's Guide to Building Strength, Energy, and Longevity for the Next Generation, is built on five principles that prioritize individual needs and long-term growth over one-size-fits-all programs.
The first principle, "Meet People Where They Are," emphasizes understanding the individual rather than expecting them to adapt to a conventional fitness program. Anderson begins with an initial consultation to assess a person's abilities, needs, and starting point, then adapts movements and exercises around that individual. As he explains, fitness shouldn't force someone into a program not designed for them; instead, the goal is to understand what motivates them and use movement to help them make meaningful progress.
The second principle, "Move With Purpose," stems from Anderson's experience in both personal training and behavioral health. An early experience with a behavioral health client showed him that purposeful movement could become part of a person's broader routine, supporting progress that extends beyond traditional fitness goals. Movement, he realized, can serve a larger role in everyday life.
Third, "Build Better Habits" focuses on sustainable progress, which can take many forms: getting stronger, developing confidence, establishing a healthier routine, learning a new physical skill, or becoming more independent in everyday activities. Even small steps matter, and sometimes the victory is simply discovering, "I can do this."
Fourth, "Strengthen the Whole Family" is rooted in Anderson's personal experience as a father. During the exhausting early months of parenthood, he found that maintaining his own fitness helped him manage stress and better care for his daughter. This reinforced his belief that healthy habits influence entire families, a core theme in his book, which encourages parents to consider the example their health habits create for the next generation.
Finally, "Create Lifelong Independence" is the ultimate goal: helping individuals recognize what they are capable of and building from there. Families and organizations have shared examples of progress from Anderson's work. One parent said her daughter developed "confidence and empowerment" while working with Anderson. Another described her son's progression from being unable to run a quarter mile without stopping to running a half mile nonstop and later regularly riding his bike to the store. Julie McNeil, Day Program Director at FRIENDS of Broomfield, has also praised Anderson's patience and creativity, as well as his ability to understand individual needs before challenging clients to achieve more.
The common thread is simple: progress doesn't have to look the same for everyone. Anderson's method, the Better Every Day Method, is built around these five principles. He is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), former Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), published author, and founder of Better Everyday Athletics. His website states he has more than 15 years of experience working with families, individuals with disabilities, and care organizations. His message is straightforward: start with the person, not the program. Understand where they are. Find movement with purpose. Build sustainable habits. Then keep working toward becoming a little better every day.
To learn more about James Anderson and Better Everyday Athletics, visit mybettereveryday.org. To purchase Legacy of Health, visit Amazon. Organizations interested in bringing James Anderson in for a keynote, workshop, or presentation can visit mybettereveryday.org/speaking-engagements.
