Dan Ritchie

Dan Ritchie, PhD, is the Co-Founder and President of Functional Aging Institute and also owner of Miracles Fitness in Indiana. Dan has a broad background in the fitness industry including training and management in commercial and university/hospital-based fitness, for-profit, not-for-profit and educational facilities. His primary areas of expertise are in personal training for special populations: the athletes, pregnancy, blind, stroke recovery, Parkinsons, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Fibromyalgia, Alzheimers, etc. Dan was the winner of the 2014 PFP Trainer of the Year.
Balance, Reaction Time and Cognitive Speed Drills
BY Dan Ritchie
July 9 2024
Again, we have a series of balance and reaction time drills that will not only challenge our clients' balance system but their cognitive system as well... View More
The Hierarchy of Physical Function
BY Dan Ritchie
June 12 2024
What are you currently doing to prevent the frailty progression?... View More
Training for Function: Front Plank Variations
BY Dan Ritchie
May 13 2024
So while the front plank is useful, why don't you try a few more variations — the combinations really become endless... View More
Training for Function: Hurdler Warm-Up Exercise
BY Dan Ritchie
April 10 2024
The Hurdler warm up exercise is great for static balance on top of warming up our hips for activity... View More
Training for Function: Jumping Jacks 6 Ways
BY Dan Ritchie
March 12 2024
Jumping jacks can be a great warmup exercise, or simply a great transition exercise to get clients heart rate elevated.There are endless combinations and here we show just six varieties... View More
At-Home Balance Drills
BY Dan Ritchie
Feb. 12 2024
Winter is a great time to create extra at-home drills for your clients... View More
Balance Training Combined with Dual-Task Training for Cognitive Fitness
BY Dan Ritchie
Jan. 9 2024
This exercise is a simple march in place — a simple exercise for most, but it can challenge balance as it prolongs our single leg stance since our foot is off the ground a little longer than normal
Training Your Clients for What They Like to Do and Want to Do in Life
BY Dan Ritchie
Jan. 5 2024
At Functional Aging Institute (FAI), we talk all the time about training your clients for ‘need to do,’ ‘like to do,’ and ‘want to do’ activities... View More
Train Your Mature Clients Towards their Dreams
BY Dan Ritchie
June 27 2023
When clients say they are now doing things they haven’t done in years or never even dreamed possible, you know you are changing lives!... View More
Power Training: Important for Maintaining Function as We Age
BY Dan Ritchie
April 17 2023
Personal training has evolved beyond sets and reps. We’re learning more and more that strength is just one component of our program design... View More
You’re Not Selling Fitness, You’re Selling Dreams
BY Dan Ritchie
Dec. 15 2022
We say often that mature clients need fitness, but that doesn’t mean they want fitness. If we are really honest, dozens of things sound more interesting and enticing for people... View More
Balance Training to Prevent Fall-Related Injuries
BY Dan Ritchie
Oct. 27 2022
The statistics on fall-related injuries and deaths are not getting better. In fact, the trends are quite alarming... View More
Communicate Often and Clearly with Multiple Tools
BY Dan Ritchie
Sept. 1 2022
We are inundated with ways to communicate with one another these days... View More
7 Elements of Functional Aging Training Program Design
BY Dan Ritchie
April 20 2022
7 key elements for any program, whether 1-1 training, small group or large group fitness... View More
The Largest Opportunity in Fitness History
BY Dan Ritchie
April 20 2019
Helping a potential stream of clients live long, healthy, meaningful lives... View More
Special Populations: Simple task movements for clients with Parkinson’s or stroke recovery
BY Dan Ritchie
Aug. 23 2012
In this column, I wanted to share something applicable for both stroke survivors and those struggling with Parkinson's. Keep in mind while we typically associate both conditions with older clients, trainers... View More
Is the Fitness Industry Prepared for the Aging Client?
BY Dan Ritchie
June 1 2012
In 2012, baby boomers will be turning 67 years old. The largest segment in our economy with the largest percentage of wealth will be looking to the fitness industry for help with their aging bodies. The... View More
Define your Career
BY Dan Ritchie
June 1 2012
Once you've acquired the skills and experience required for personal training excellence, you may wonder "what next?" You may ask yourself, "How do I increase my practice and how do I differentiate myself... View More