A good osteoporosis exercise class should help you understand the movements, find an appropriate challenge and progress with coaching. We want you to know what you are working toward and feel comfortable asking questions. Here is what to look for when choosing a class in the Salt Lake City area.
One-on-one PT with Dr. Emily Warren, DPT, Cert. MDT. No referral needed. In-person care in Holladay, serving Greater Salt Lake City, and virtual coaching from anywhere.
What makes our bone-health classes different?
The individual attention matters. Watch Dr. Emily explain how we make room for modifications, progression and the questions that come up as you learn.
Why we keep our bone-strengthening classes small
Dr. Emily explains how we watch your movement, help you modify an exercise and progress it when you are ready. We want you to feel supported while doing enough work to build strength and confidence.
Key points from the video
- Dr. Emily keeps the strength classes small so she can watch technique and offer individual attention.
- Exercises can be modified when needed and progressed when someone is ready.
- The goal is enough challenge to build strength, support bone health and grow confidence.
What a good osteoporosis exercise class should include
A high-quality class should help you do the things that actually matter for bone health: load the skeleton, build muscle, improve balance, and reduce avoidable fracture risk. That does not mean everyone should do the same exercises or lift the same amount of weight. It means the class needs enough coaching to match the work to the person.
- Progressive loading: weights should gradually increase as strength and technique improve.
- Balance training: fall risk matters because most fragility fractures happen after a fall.
- Spine-safe coaching: people with osteoporosis often need to modify loaded flexion, twisting, and uncontrolled impact.
- Clear screening: recent fracture, severe pain, or major balance concerns may mean one-on-one PT should come first.
Red flags in a bone-density class
Be cautious if a class promises to reverse osteoporosis quickly, uses the same routine for everyone, avoids strength training entirely, or pushes high-impact exercise without screening. Bone health training should be confident, but it should also be clinically thoughtful.
How Mindful Movement PT structures Bone Builder classes
MMPT’s Bone Builder classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at the Holladay clinic. The class is based on BoneFit-informed safety and LIFTMOR-style progressive loading foundations. The goal is to help women with osteopenia, osteoporosis, or low bone density learn how to train safely and consistently.
If you are not sure whether class is the right starting point, bring your DEXA results to a free 15-minute consult or call/text the clinic. Some people do best starting in class. Others need a one-on-one assessment first.
What progress looked like in the LIFTMOR research
There is a measurable reason to train for bone health. In LIFTMOR, postmenopausal women with low bone mass completed eight months of supervised resistance and impact training. Average lumbar-spine bone density rose 2.9%, compared with a 1.2% decline with low-intensity home exercise. Strength and physical-function measures also improved. Read the trial.
These are study averages; your progress is assessed individually. We use the research to guide purposeful, progressive training with coaching. See the full results, including how many participants maintained or increased spine bone density.
Learn with someone who pays attention to you
Kathy Toponce describes learning weightlifting technique with Dr. Emily and receiving guidance that accounted for her physical challenges. Elizabeth Wing describes attention to form and modifications as she returned to strength training. Their public reviews speak to the experience we want you to have: encouragement, useful feedback and a clearer sense of what to do next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do osteoporosis exercise classes need to include weights?
Usually, yes. Walking and gentle mobility can support health, but bone-density change generally requires progressive loading. The right amount depends on your history and current ability.
Can I join if I have osteopenia instead of osteoporosis?
Yes. Osteopenia is often the best time to start because you can build strength and confidence before fracture risk increases further.
What should I bring to the first class?
Bring your DEXA report if you have one, plus a list of prior fractures, surgeries, or exercise restrictions.
Written by Dr. Emily Warren, DPT, credentialed McKenzie therapist and BoneFit-trained clinician at Mindful Movement PT in Holladay and Salt Lake City.