Cody Sipe

Cody L. Sipe (born February 18, 1970 in Waynesboro, Virginia) is an exercise physiologist, professor, trainer, international speaker, writer, editor and entrepreneur in the physical fitness industry. Sipe specializes in researching and creating science-based fitness programs for aging adults.
Early career
Sipe began his professional career in the fitness industry while he was still in college. He worked as a personal trainer, exercise specialist, graded test technologist and group exercise instructor at a medically-based fitness center. He also served as the Assistant Fitness Director and Exercise Specialist at Medfit Wellness Center in Charlottesville, VA from August 1997 through August of 2000.
Education
Sipe obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Harding University in 1993 then went on to earn his Master of Science degree in Exercise Science from Virginia Tech in May 1996. While working in the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program at Virginia Tech he was first exposed to the physical challenges facing older adults and the role of exercise in improving health and physical function. After completing his master’s degree he attended the University of Virginia to pursue his doctoral degree. Before completing his doctoral work he was hired as the director of the Ismail Center at Purdue University. Shortly thereafter he transferred his doctoral work to Purdue. He earned a PhD in health and kinesiology from Purdue in 1998. His dissertation was “The Effects of High-Velocity Training on Power and Function in Older Adults”.
Post-graduate career
Sipe has spent the majority of his career researching, developing, teaching and practicing science-based strategies to improve function in aging adults. His program includes 3-dimensional integrated movement patterns that challenge all components of function instead of focusing on individual exercises or simple weight training. He has held many positions in the physical fitness industry including personal trainer, fitness instructor, exercise physiologist, college professor, fitness club owner and program director. His secondary area of expertise is managing chronic illnesses, especially those related to aging such as arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and fibromyalgia.
Sipe is the co-founder of the Functional Aging Institute, co-founder of the Functional Health Summit and creator of the Never Grow Old fitness program. He has spent his career working in academic, not-for-profit, for-profit, medically-based and community-based programs and facilities, specializing in physical fitness activities for people over the age of 55.
In 2007, he accepted a position with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as a Visiting Professor with the Department of Kinesiology while he completed his PhD. He held that position for a year then became an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro from August 2008 to May 2011. In 2011, Sipe became an Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Research in the Physical Therapy Program at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas where he currently teaches courses in functional anatomy and biomechanics, evidence-based physical therapy practice, human development and wellness.
In January 2007, Sipe became the co-owner of Miracles Fitness in West Lafayette, Indiana, along with his partner and fellow Purdue graduate, Dan Ritchie. In addition to offering programs for aging adults and people with medical conditions, Miracles Fitness is also the home base of the Functional Aging Institute, a program co-founded by Sipe and Ritchie. In August 2013, the partners founded the Functional Aging Institute. They continue to work together to develop science-based physical training programs for people over the age of 55.
Awards and acknowledgments
Sipe has been recognized for his work in the aging and fitness sectors. In 2003, he was awarded the Midwest ACSM Clinical Exercise Professional of the Year by the American College of Sports Medicine. In 2005, he was voted the International Program Director of the Year by IDEA Health & Fitness Association. During that same year, Dr. Sipe was selected by Governor Mitch Daniels as one of four gubernatorial delegates to the White House Conference on Aging In 2006, he was named one of Lafayette’s Top 40 Young Professionals Under 40 by the Lafayette, Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Miracles Fitness was named the December 2010 Business of the Month by the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.
Committees
Sipe has served on numerous committees and presents internationally about his program and philosophies. He is the co-founder of the Coalition for Living Well After 50 and served as president from 2004 to 2006 and as vice president during 2006 and 2007. Other consultative and advisory positions that Dr. Sipe holds or has held include Act!vate Brain and Body, Advisory Board (November 2013 - present), Medical Fitness Network and the Midwest American College of Sports Medicine
Publications
Sipe has published numerous articles and studies in his discipline and his book, Never Grow Old!: The Innovative, Easy to Follow Functional Aging Fitness Program that Increases Strength, Improves Balance, and Decreases Pain co-authored with Dr. Dan Ritchie, reached Amazon.com's International Best Sellers list.
Peer-reviewed publications
*Barbara Resnick, PhD; Marcia G. Ory, PhD, MPH; Michael E. Rogers, PhD; Phillip Page, MS, PT; Roseann M. Lyle, PhD; Cody Sipe, MS; Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, PhD; Terry L. Bazzarre, PhD. A Proposal for a New Screening Paradigm and Tool Called Exercise Assessment and Screening for You (EASY), Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. 2008.16(2), 215-233
*Barbara Resnick, PhD; Marcia G. Ory, PhD, MPH; Michael E. Rogers, PhD; Phillip Page, MS, PT; Roseann M. Lyle, PhD; Cody Sipe, MS; Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, PhD; Terry L. Bazzarre, PhD. Screening and Prescribing Exercise for Older Adults, Geriatrics and Aging, 2006, 9(3); 174-182.
*Sipe, CL. Personal training reform in the United States. Scientific Proceedings from the 6th World Congress on Aging and Physical Activity. Jones, Taylor and Ecclestone, eds. Canadian Centre on Activity and Aging (London, ON), 2004.
Non-peer reviewed publications
*The Significant Seven: Principles of Functional Training for Mature Adults. Sipe, Cody and Ritchie, Dan.
*Effective Cueing. Sipe, Cody.
*Training the Master Athlete. Sipe, Cody.
*Bridging the Age Gap. Sipe, Cody.
*Inspire the World to Fitness Part I: Think Globally, Act Locally. Sipe, Cody.
*Get ‘em Powered Up. Sipe, Cody.
Research
Sipe’s research focuses on the functional effects of exercise for older adults. His primary area of interest is the affects of high-velocity power training as compared to traditional (slow-velocity) strength training. He has received over $200,000 for his research activities. He uses this research to continually advance the programs for the population that he serves.
Further reading
*Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. 2008.16(2), 215-233
*ACSM’s Resource for Personal Trainers, 2nd ed., Thompson and Baldwin, eds., Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins (Baltimore, MD) 2006
*Journal on Active Aging, Vol. 7, No. 1; Jan/Feb 2008; pg. 34-40.

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