Kymberly Rapier is President and Founder of Silver Life Fitness, a subsidiary of WellMed Medical Management that offers exercise programs for older adults, usually in community centers, medical clinics and other neighborhood settings convenient to members. As of 2010, Silver Life Fitness is active in the Corpus Christi, Greater Austin and Rio Grande Valley regions of Texas, and Mrs. Rapier plans to continue its expansion.
Mrs. Rapier is also chief executor of the Blake, Kymberly & George Rapier Charitable Trust. Since 2008, the Rapier Trust has distributed more than $3 million to non-profit groups, mostly in the San Antonio, TX region. Many causes benefiting from the Rapier Trust focus on students at-risk of dropping out of school, homeless animals, seniors and the physically disabled.
In 2010, Mrs. Rapier hopes to distribute up to $2 million for scholarships and other causes through the Rapier Trust.
Mrs. Rapier, a San Antonio native, graduated from Churchill High School and attended the University of Texas at San Antonio on a volleyball scholarship. She worked for years as a personal trainer before starting her own health club, Family Fitness Unlimited, on the South Side of San Antonio in October 2000.
In 2008, Mrs. Rapier developed the concept of converting Family Fitness Unlimited into the first privately run Senior Center in Bexar County, and possibly all of Texas. The Elvira Cisneros Senior Community Center by WellMed is one of the most active senior centers in the region, offering exercise, education, health screening and nutrition services that are free to anyone age 60 and older. In partnership with the City of San Antonio, lunchtime meals are provided at no cost 5 days a week.
In 2010, the WellMed Charitable Foundation was recognized as Corporate Citizen of the Year by the Alamo Area Council of Governments for operation of the Cisneros Senior Center. The Center also has been lauded by the nation.s top federal aging official as a model for senior activity and wellness.
Mrs. Rapier developed the innovative Silver Life Fitness concept based on her experience working to keep older adults fit and healthy. Silver Life Fitness has no initiation fee or monthly membership fee. It is promoted as a benefit of Physicians Health Choice (PHC), an WellMed-owned HMO offering Medicare Advantage plans to seniors, but anyone age 55 or older can sign up for the classes.
Classes are designed with mature adults in mind. Instead of going to a gym, classes are held in neighborhoods at facilities where older adults may visit, such as their medical clinic or apartment complex.
Silver Life classes currently offered in Austin include "Belly Dancing for Seniors," "Pilates for Seniors" and "Zumba Gold," a senior-friendly variation on the popular Latin-inspired dance fitness craze. Most classes focus on cardio, strength training and conditioning. Workouts generally involve handheld weights, exercise bands and exercise balls. Some locations offer chair volleyball, where participants play volleyball from seated positions.
"Part of the reason we created Silver Life Fitness was to create a fitness incentive that had a greater impact on seniors," Mrs. Rapier said in a 2010 interview with NSIDE MD Magazine in Austin, TX. "Other health plans offer gym memberships or exercise classes at gyms, but some people are intimidated by that environment. This is a more personalized service, where instructors follow up with members."
"Most senior fitness programs are more sit and fit. They're missing the fun factor. That.s what makes Silver Life Fitness different and effective."
Mrs. Rapier works tirelessly with several causes supported by the Trust, organizing fund-raising events and developing partnership opportunities that benefit various non-profit organizations. She also sponsors and organizes annual appearances by Santa at inner-city schools and community centers, distributing gift cards, meals and other goodies to young and old.
Mrs. Rapier is married to Dr. George M. Rapier III, Chairman and CEO of WellMed Medical Management, Inc.