Capable

Starts With You

Our Mission

A panel of experts put together by the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that cancer survivors avoid inactivity and return to normal daily activities as soon as possible following diagnosis with a goal of exercising at least 150-300 minutes per week. Strength training is recommended at least two days per week.

Cancer survivors who adhere to the ACS physical activity guidelines have been shown to have significantly lower risk of all-cause, cancer-specific and cardiovascular disease-specific mortality.

We have shown that our method of high-intensity interval combined with strength training is particularly beneficial to the health and quality of life of cancer survivors. It is our goal to introduce this program to cancer survivors living in the City of Detroit and the surrounding Metropolitan Area and reduce barriers to participation.

Give Back

Donate To Capable

Donations will be used to continue coaching sessions for cancer survivors across Metro-Detroit, and continuing to expand throughout Michigan and beyond. Every donation is appreciated and goes towards improving the fitness and quality of life of cancer survivors. Your donation will support researchers at Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University who are studying the impact of cross-training in adult cancer patients and survivors of all ability levels.

Our Organization

We will provide eligible patients with the consent of their physician a 12-week program (36 sessions or 3 days per week) of training at no cost.

We will continue to conduct research to examine the benefits of this type of training method on:

  • Functional Performance

  • Cardiovascular Endurance

  • Body Composition and Metabolic Health

  • Quality of Life

We are working to understand and reduce barriers to long-term participation in the program.

Who We Are

We have partnered with researchers at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Cancer Consortium to develop and test this program’s effectiveness in improving the lives of those diagnosed with cancer using objective measures of health. We aim to take participants not just from "sick" to "well" but giving them the tools to continue beyond wellness to "fitness."

Credit: Greg Glassman

CAPABLE

  • "Seriously, If I can do this, literally anyone can! this program gave me back the strength and psychological wellbeing that cancer took away from me"

    – J.B.

  • I used to workout in my pre-sick life, and I was in a place where I was getting depressed and starting to give up. This made a big difference and I feel stronger and happier than I have in a very long time thanks to Capable."

    – S.B.

  • Without this program, I never would have realized my potential. I no longer have the attitude that 'I cannot' or "I should not" do something because I had cancer. I feel stronger than I have in many, many years and I am determined to keep getting stronger."

    – K.C.

  • Morning Chalk Up: CAPABLE Explores the Benefits of CrossFit and Cancer Recovery

    These survivors are the newest cohort of Cross-Training and Physical Activity: A Better Life Experience (CAPABLE), a clinical trial…

  • McLaren offers free fitness classes for cancer survivors

    The Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Northern Michigan has partnered with CrossFit Petoskey to offer free fitness classes to cancer survivors…

  • Karmanos Cancer Institute News

    Enrollment now open for free CAPABLE fitness sessions for cancer survivors…

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Partnerships & Sponsors