Becoming a Stay Active and Independent for Life (S.A.I.L.) Program Class Facilitator

Based on strength, balance, and flexibility, fitness program focuses on falls prevention. SAIL has been proven to help improve the quality of life if attended regularly. The core feature of a SAIL Program is the community-based fitness class that meets three times weekly for one hour. The fitness class includes warm-up, aerobics, balance, strength training, and stretching exercises that can be done in a seated or standing position. Periodic Fitness Checks track general mobility, arm strength, and leg strength.

Program Overview:

1. 1. Group Fitness Classes
      • Meets 2 to 3 times per week
      • Minimum 24 sessions, recommend 12-week blocks
      • 1-hour session
   2. Comprehensive Exercise Routine
      • Warm-up
      • Aerobics
      • Balance training
      • Strength training
      • stretching
   3. Adaptable for All Levels
      • Seated or standing options
      • Ongoing fitness checks to track progress

1.  Complete instructor training
   • 8-hour training (in-person or online)
2. Launch classes
   • Offer classes 2 to 3 times per week for 12 weeks
   • Provide safe structured exercise sessions
3. Maintain engagement
   • Track participant progress
   • Use educational materials to reinforce fall prevention

• Background in fitness, healthcare, or related field preferred
• Ability to lead and adapt group exercise safely

The New State Department of Health Bureau of Occupational Health and Injury Prevention is a recipient of the 2025-2028 Expanding Strategies for Community Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programming grant, administered by the Administration for Community Living. With this funding, we are able to pay for your training to become a Stay Active and Independent Life (SAIL) Instructor. In return, we require submission of participant data to FallsFree@stonybrookmedicine.edu on a regular basis to support our grant reporting and enable us to support you and the older adults you serve.

For more information about the program, please visit: https://www.sailfitness.org/instructor-training

Please email injury@health.ny.gov if you feel the SAIL Program is a good fit for you/your organization to schedule a brief call, to obtain the training information.

Instructor Materials – Data Collection Paperwork

Organizations funded by the Administration for Community Living are required to collect data on evidence-based falls prevention programs. Please find the necessary data paperwork at the National Council on Aging’s Data Collection Tools for Falls Prevention, and please reach out to injury@health.ny.gov with any questions.