What is a Texercise Team?

Texercise Teams are regional collectives comprised of statewide and local partners who are committed to achieving a shared purpose. Teams plan events and educational offerings that motivate community participation with the long-term goal of building and maintaining community interest in adopting healthy lifestyles.

The Texercise Team model uses a base of statewide core partners and local partners to promote and offer activities and education. The Texercise Team model addresses the need for design, coordination, and direction that comes from a local region. The model provides community ownership and sustains local interest.

How Do Texercise Teams Work?

The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) makes contacts with leaders and key stakeholders (local partners) who promote healthy lifestyles. DADS works as a "matchmaker" by connecting these key community partners and the local representatives from the base of core partners. DADS develops these core partnerships with organizations that have a statewide presence. The Texercise Team identifies each partner’s strengths and develops resources and opportunities for year-long engagement with the public.

For example, the Capital Texercise Team planned a kick-off fitness and nutrition event in May in Austin. Partners participated in various ways:

• The City of Austin Parks and Recreational Department, a Capital Texercise Team member, offered their facility to hold the event.
• A registered dietician with Meals on Wheels and More provided a nutrition workshop.
• A local fitness facility lead the exercise class and offered promotional items.

All team members supported and publicized the event through their communication channels (email, radio, websites, television, etc). SBC Communication Inc. and RSVP, two of the statewide core partners, had local volunteers help publicize as well as attend the event. More than 200 attended the kick-off event. With this model, everyone wins.

What’s New?

Twelve Texercise Teams are currently active in:

• Austin
• Beaumont
• Belton
• Dallas
• Denton
• Fort Bend
• Heart of Texas
• Houston
• Kingwood/Humble
• San Antonio
• Tarrant
• Van

How to Find Out More

For updated information and resources please check the Texercise website often. www.TEXERCISE.com or call 512-438-4293.

Tools and Resources for Texercise Teams

• Texercise Flyers
• Texercise Posters

Do you have a Texercise story you would like to share?

We’d love to hear about your experiences with the program! Please visit the Submit Your Story page.

Updated: June 26, 2008