Free CAPABLE 12-week CrossFit sessions for cancer survivors start in three counties

Registration is open for free, 12-week CrossFit® sessions aimed at cancer survivors in Genesee, Oakland and Wayne counties, with the first class beginning March 2 in Farmington Hills. The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine are partnering with three local CrossFit gyms to run CAPABLE - CrossFit® and Physical Activity: A Better Life Experience - as an exercise program and interventional trial for survivors.

CAPABLE uses CrossFit® methodologies that combine high-intensity interval training and strength training while collecting data on a suite of outcomes. The interventional trial will measure physical fitness, body composition, sleep health, cognitive function and quality of life as participants move through the 12-week curriculum, and nutrition guidance consistent with current recommendations will be provided to support lasting habits.

"CrossFit combines high-intensity interval and strength training. As we take cancer survivors through this training, we look at a host of outcomes - everything from physical fitness and body composition to sleep health, cognitive function and quality of life. We also provide nutrition guidance consistent with current recommendations to help participants make the most of their 12 weeks in CAPABLE and build healthy habits to last a lifetime," Dr. Beebe-Dimmer explained.

The three host facilities and schedules are listed as follows: Five Lakes CrossFit at 24269 Indoplex Circle, Farmington Hills, MI 48335, starting Monday, March 2, 2026 and concluding in May 2026; 810 CrossFit at 8130 Industrial Park Dr., Grand Blanc, MI 48439, starting Monday, March 16, 2026 and concluding in June 2026; and CrossFit® in the D at 150 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226, starting Monday, April 27, 2026 and concluding in July 2026. The press materials provide start dates and month-of-conclusion for each site but do not list daily class times or coach names in the distributed schedule.

Program history in the materials notes that CAPABLE has enrolled over 320 participants since 2019, and image captions accompanying the announcement show participants riding exercise bikes at a CrossFit gym during prior sessions. The release also references American Cancer Society guidance that cancer survivors should resume regular physical activity and aim for 150-300 minutes weekly including strength training, and frames CAPABLE as a way to teach survivors how to meet those recommendations.

Classes are free and previous exercise experience is not necessary to participate. Interested survivors should visit the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute’s CAPABLE registration page for session-level details and sign-up. The press materials note the program is an interventional trial; the distributed information does not specify medical-clearance procedures, class capacity limits, or full trial methods, so prospective participants are advised to confirm eligibility and session logistics through the institute’s CAPABLE page before attending.