Daniel M. Ritchie

Daniel M. Ritchie, PhD, CSCS, HFS-ACSM (born April 30, 1975, in Berwyn, Illinois) is a health and kinesiology professional, professor, personal trainer, public speaker, writer and entrepreneur in the physical fitness industry. He has spent time teaching at the college level, working as a physical fitness professional and researching the workings of the human body. He specializes in developing science-based exercise programs, primarily for aging adults and people with medical conditions.
Education
Ritchie obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Southeast Missouri State University in Health Management: Fitness and Sports Medicine in May of 1997. He then obtained his Master of Science degree in Education: Health, Physical Education and Coaching from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in December of 2002. His thesis, which was awarded Thesis of the Year, was The Effects of Single- and Multiple-Set Upper Body Strength Training in Pre-Menopausal Woman. Ritchie obtained his PhD in Health Kinesiology with a minor in Gerontology from Purdue University in 2009. His dissertation topic was a study on the comparison of two doses of an exercise intervention to improve mobility and function in older adults living in residential retirement communities.
Academic awards and honors
While in school, Ritchie was awarded several grants and awards for his research efforts and academic performance. He had already begun researching fitness in the aging community and thus several of the grants and awards were in that area. His thesis was awarded Thesis of the Year by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and he was named the 2004 Graduate Student of the Year by the Midwest Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine. During his time at Purdue, Ritchie was awarded the Lynn Fellowship for the 2003-2004 academic year and was awarded $2074 to conduct his dissertation research by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Early career
Ritchie began his career in the fitness industry early. While working on his bachelor degree, he completed his internship at St. Francis Medical Center in the Wellness department. He also served as the Graduate Assistant Strength Coach at Southeast Missouri State University and worked in Fitness and Health Promotions for Biometrics Nutrition and Fitness while he was working on his master’s degree. While pursuing his doctorate at Purdue, he worked as a personal trainer at the Janesville/Riverfront Athletic Clubs in Janesville, Wisconsin. Ritchie was a Research Project Assistant at Purdue and he also worked for the AH Ismail Center for Exercise, Health and Nutrition as a personal trainer and Health Fitness Manager. While there, he also participated in conducting exercise-related research projects.
Post-graduate career
Ritchie has spent his career in various training and management positions in medical, not-for-profit, for-profit and educational facilities in the physical fitness sector. His primary area of expertise is developing fitness programs for people with special physical needs including athletes, pregnant women, the blind, stroke victims and people with various chronic medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. He has worked with many Division 1 athletes, some of whom have gone on to careers as professional athletes. After obtaining his master’s degree, Ritchie worked in a number of teaching positions. He worked as a teaching assistant at Purdue University in the Exercise and Physiology Lab and as adjunct faculty at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana in Kokomo, Indiana in the Anatomy and Physiology Department. He also worked at the college’s Lafayette campus as an adjunct professor for Lifetime Fitness and Wellness. Ritchie later worked for Purdue University as a teaching assistant for Fitness Assessment and Evaluation. He then went on to obtain employment as an instructor with Education Fitness Solutions, teaching Introduction to Exercise Science II and Business Development and Entrepreneurship in Fitness.
In 2006, Ritchie, along with his business partner and colleague Cody Sipe, opened Miracles Fitness, a health club geared toward older adults and people with chronic or acute health problems. In 2013, they also founded the Functional Aging Institute (FAI), a program that develops science-based physical training programs for people over the age of 55. FAI teaches personal training professionals from around the world to utilize these programs with their own clients and hosts Functional Aging Certification workshops throughout the United States. Ritchie and Sipe continue to work together on both projects.
Professional organizations and committees
Ritchie has been, and continues to be, an active member of several professional organizations within his field of expertise. He has been a regular contributor to the CBS local morning news since 2008. He is an advisory board member for Act!vate Brain and Body and for the Medical Fitness Network.and is an active member of Business Networking International (BNI). Ritchie is or has been a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the Midwest American College of Sports Medicine and the American College of Sport Medicine. Ritchie regularly presents at national and regional conferences including FitnessFest, International Council on Active Aging, the Washington DC Aerobics Convention, Athletic Business, the National Council on Aging, the Fitness Education Institute, Eclipse 2014 and the DCAC Richmond Fitness Education Conference
Awards and professional acknowledgement
Ritchie has been recognized throughout his career. He was named 2014 Personal Trainer of the Year by Personal Fitness Professional Magazine , was one of only four nominees for the 2012 Personal Trainer of the Year by PTPower.com and was nominated for Small Business Owner of the Year by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce in 2012. Miracles Fitness was named the December 2010 Business of the Month by the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.
Publications
Ritchie has published numerous articles for Personal Fitness Professional Magazine and for medical publications as well. 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 Cody Sipe, reached Amazon.com's International Best Sellers list. A few of his more significant pieces include:
*"Effect of Exercise on Negative Affect in Residents in Special Care Units with Moderate to Severe Dementia." Nancy Edwards, Meghan Gardiner, Dan M Ritchie, Ken Baldwin, Laura Sands
*"Special Populations: Simple Task Movements for People with Parkinson's or Stroke Recovery".
*"The Aging Population: Once the Exception; Soon to be the Norm".
Research
Ritchie has participated in several state-funded research programs designed to study exercise methods for aging people and people with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other debilitating illnesses. He has received thousands of dollars for his research efforts. Ritchie uses this research to continually advance the fitness programs for his target population.
Further reading
* Alzheimer Disease Association Disorder Journal. 2008 Oct-Dec; 22(4):362-8
* Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Suppl. Vol. 39:5
* Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, Vol.12, 3, 334
* Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. Suppl. Vol. 35, 5
* Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. Suppl. Vol. 36, 5

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