In The Drivers Seat

A publication of the Montgomery County Office of Mental Retardation,
Family Driven FSS Project
May/June 2000

Local Man Specializes In Personal Training for Those With Disabilties

Sean Hanley, of North Wales, loves what he does for a living. Through his thirteen years of experience with Special Olympics, seven year employment with Indian Creek Foundation of Harleysville, and three years fitness and strength coaching, Sean has decided to combine his interests and venture into a field that is virtually unheard of – personal training for those with disabilities. Developmental Fitness Company caters to the needs, personalities, and fitness goals of those with mental, physical, developmental and emotional challenges.

The mission statement of Developmental Fitness Company corners four key values: Through INCLUSION physical fitness programming under the DIRECTION of a COMPASSIONATE personal trainer brings about true CHALLENGE. “ True challenge is what drives and inspires the human spirit, “ said Sean, a certified personal trainer, state sports director, residential instructor and local athletic mentor. “ I have witnessed the diverse range of this population. Some may have loss of function while others may lead a sedentary lifestyle. Both circumstances lead to a loss of muscular function, a decrease in active metabolism, and an increase in the risk factors for heart disease.

Sean believes that from these health circumstances, many individuals experience a psychological effect as well. Developmental Fitness Company seeks to provide optimum cardiovascular health, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance while at the same time working to develop self worth, self confidence, pride, character, goal setting and self motivation.

Sean has coached the Special Olympics Team USA Powerlifting teams from Pennsylvania twice and is currently the State Sport Director for Powerlifting for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. This requires training other coaches and clinicians, developing workout plans and organizing training schedules. Sean also consults with other organizations on working with those with developmental disabilities in fitness programs.

It is through collaboration with the YMCA that Developmental Fitness Company is able to offer their unique services. Developmental Fitness Company works only with facilities that are receptive to their company’s core values. Most of the Developmental Fitness Company’s clientele can attend their sessions at the YMCA facility, whose values are similar to that of the Developmental Fitness Company. However, for those unable to utilize outside facilities, Developmental Fitness Company is able to offer their services at a location that is convenient to the individual or in – home. Sean is able to offer his services at a location that is convenient to the individual. Equally important is that all of the Developmental Fitness Company personal trainers adhere to the four company core values of inclusion, direction, compassion and challenge.

The Developmental Fitness Program offers strength-training programs that can teach independence, pattern recognition and tension release. Clientele can learn to handle the stress of exercise while developing perceptual and motor skills. Cardiovascular exercise and stretching teach individuals how to strategically apply information. Clientele learn how to function under stress while learning how to pace, concentrate, challenge and persevere.

Clientele of Developmental Fitness Company can expect an increase in flexibility, strength, endurance, movement, energy, and weight loss if needed. Developmental Fitness Company’ personal trainers seeks to develop strategic thinking through physical fitness. They want to improve morale, self esteem, socialization skills, and overall well being by guiding the client through well planned, individually tailored physical fitness instruction. Exercise programming with Developmental Fitness Company teaches goal setting, achievement and the concepts of independence, balance and control.

In order to get started with Developmental Fitness Company’s personal training sessions, individuals are required to have primary physician approval as well as a complete Developmental Fitness Company health history questionnaire. One of the trainers’s will come out and sit down with you for a complimentary consultation to introduce the program and to answer any and all of your questions. Sean explains that the more information that he personal trainers have makes it easier to individualize their training sessions. All information is kept confidential.

Great strides are taking place in the physical fitness world for those with developmental disabilities. For more information about the services offered by Developmental Fitness Company, please call Sean Hanley, CPT at (215) 699-3075 or email to: DEVFITCO@NETCARRIER.COM