Functional Fitness for Brain Health & Longevity

Functional Fitness for Brain Health & Longevity

Move with confidence. Age with strength. Protect your brain.

At Caring for the Body, PLLC – Center for Functional Medicine, we believe movement is one of the most powerful “medicines” for brain health and long-term vitality. That is why we are delighted to offer a Functional Fitness for Longevity program, led by corrective exercise specialist James Goodlatte, CPT.

This is not a high-intensity bootcamp or a one-size-fits-all workout. It is a thoughtful, science-informed exercise class designed to help you:

• Reduce everyday aches and pains
  
  
• Build functional strength that supports real life
  
  
• Protect your joints and preserve mobility
  
  
• Support brain health, balance, and independence as you age
  
  

Whether you are just getting started or looking to train smarter as you move through midlife and beyond, this offering is designed to meet you where you are.

Why Functional Fitness Belongs in Functional Medicine

Functional medicine looks for root causes and treats the whole person. Movement is a key part of that picture.

Research shows that appropriate strength training and physical activity can:

• Improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic health
  
  
• Support blood flow to the brain and vascular health
  
  
• Maintain muscle mass and bone density
  
  
• Improve balance and reduce fall risk
  
  
• Support mood, sleep quality, and cognitive function
  
  

Our functional fitness program is woven into this broader vision of prevention, neuroprotection, and healthy aging.

Who This Is For

This offering may be a good fit if you:

• Want to stay strong, mobile, and independent as you age
  
  
• Are noticing stiff joints, nagging aches, or loss of strength
  
  
• Feel unsure how to exercise safely with your current health conditions
  
  
• Prefer a gentle, corrective, and educational approach rather than a “no pain, no gain” mindset
  
  
• Are working with our team on brain health, metabolic health, or longevity and want your exercise routine to support those goals
  
  

All fitness levels are welcome. We focus on progress, not perfection.

What Makes Our Approach Different

Rather than “just doing more exercise,” we focus on moving better.

In our Functional Fitness for Longevity program, you will:

• Learn how to activate the right muscles for your body
  
  
• Practice the six primal movement patterns that support lifelong function
  
  
• Build strength in a way that protects your joints and nervous system
  
  
• Integrate core and breath work to support posture, stability, and nervous system regulation
  
  
• Move at a pace that respects your current abilities and gradually builds capacity
  
  

The goal is not simply a good workout. The goal is a more resilient body that supports the brain, heart, and whole person.

Weekly Longevity Functional Fitness Class

Format: Live, online small-group class
Length: 40 minutes
Focus: Corrective exercise, functional strength, core and breath work, and primal movement patterns for healthy aging

You can expect each class to include:

• A gentle warmup to prepare joints and tissues
  
  
• Corrective exercises to address common movement imbalances
  
  
• Functional strength work to support daily activities like squatting, lifting, reaching, and carrying
  
  
• Core and breath work that supports posture, spinal health, and balance
  
  
• A short cool-down and integration period so you finish feeling better, not depleted
  
  

Most participants leave class feeling more grounded, less stiff, and encouraged about their long-term health.

Start date: February 4, 2026
When: Wednesdays at 8:30 am Eastern
Duration: 40 minutes
Location: Online (join from home)

What You Need for Class

Required:

• A cushioned spot on the floor
  
  
• Internet connection and a device with video (computer, tablet, or smartphone)
  
  

Optional but helpful:

• Exercise mat
  
  
• Light to moderate dumbbells
  
  
• Swiss ball
  
  
• Foam roller
  
  

If you do not have equipment, that is completely fine. James will show you ways to modify and still get a safe, effective session.

Meet Your Instructor – James Goodlatte, CPT

James Goodlatte, CPT, is a corrective exercise specialist who helps everyday people reduce aches and pains and build functional strength by learning how to activate the right muscles for their bodies.

He is the founder of Exercise and Longevity, where he researches and teaches practical, science-based approaches to healthy aging, and the founder of Fit For Birth, a certifying organization with professionals in more than 50 countries.

James brings a thoughtful, encouraging, and highly individualized approach to movement. His teaching style is clear and supportive, making his classes accessible for beginners while still challenging for those who are more experienced.

Learn more about James on our team page.

How Functional Fitness Fits Into Your Care Plan

Our Functional Fitness for Longevity program is an optional service that can:

• Complement your Re-Think Aging preventative or cognitive decline program
  
  
• Support your personalized functional medicine plan for metabolic health, hormone balance, or brain health
  
  
• Serve as a gentle on-ramp if you have been out of an exercise routine and want to start safely

If you are a current patient or community member, your clinician or health coach can help you decide how to best integrate this offering into your overall plan.

How to Get Started

Ready to move toward greater strength, confidence, and longevity?

You can:

• Call our office to enroll in the Weekly Longevity Functional Fitness Class
  
  
• Ask your clinician or health coach at your next visit
  
  
• Use the patient portal to send a message and request more information about the program
  
  

We will help you with next steps, pricing, and how to join your first class.

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