Sheltering Arms

What Sheltering Arms does

Sheltering Arms Corporation is a Virginia-based nonprofit founded in 1889 that operates an integrated adaptive fitness, wellness, and recreation platform for adults with physical disabilities, neurological conditions, and chronic disease. The organization delivers evidence-based programming through four anchor offerings — NeuroFit (neurological exercise recovery using Lokomat, EksoNR and Indego robotic exoskeletons, and FES Cycle technology), Adapt2Fit (one-on-one adaptive exercise training), PowerEx (a 12-week semi-supervised transition program with documented strength and endurance outcomes), and Club Rec (an adult day recreation program with a Club Rec Plus therapy bundle) — supplemented by pool and fitness memberships, group classes (PWR! Moves for Parkinson's, Chair Yoga), and chronic disease self-management education. Service delivery relies on certified exercise physiologists (ACSM-EP, ACSM-CEP) and licensed recreational therapists, with technology ranging from advanced robotic gait systems to the Motek C-Mill and SaeboMAS upper-limb devices, none of which involves AI/ML.

Name

Sheltering Arms

Legal name

Sheltering Arms Corporation

Website

https://shelteringarms.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1889

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Sheltering Arms is a Virginia-based nonprofit providing adaptive fitness, wellness, and day recreation programs for adults with physical disabilities and neurological conditions across eight Richmond-area locations, supported by advanced rehabilitation technology and a therapy institute affiliation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive and Medical Fitness Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Adaptive & Special Needs Personal Training (HSADAAAL)

Keywords

• Adaptive fitness services
• Neurological rehabilitation programs
• Adult day recreation
• Therapeutic exercise training
• Medical fitness membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Mechanicsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Fitness and Wellness Membership: Monthly subscription-based memberships to the 24,000 sq. ft. medically based fitness center and therapeutic pool at the Bon Air location. Membership includes access to adaptive fitness equipment, therapeutic pool with wheelchair-accessible ramp, and locker rooms. No long-term contracts required.
2. Club Rec Day Recreation Program: Cash-based day recreation program for adults with disabilities. Standing fee is $40 per day with financial assistance available (sliding scale $10 or $20 per day). Includes supervised social, recreational, and wellness activities plus access to fitness center and therapeutic pool.
3. PowerEx Program: 12-week semi-supervised exercise program with one-on-one sessions, fitness center and pool membership, initial assessment, goal setting, and exit evaluation. Billed as a program package.
4. Adaptive Exercise Training (Adapt2Fit): One-on-one adaptive exercise training sessions available as per-session or package rates. Sessions held in gym or therapeutic pool. Offered at Bon Air, Reynolds, and Laburnum locations.
5. NeuroFit Neurological Exercise Program: Cash-based neurological exercise recovery program for individuals with neurological conditions. Uses advanced technology including Lokomat, exoskeletons, and FES cycles. Sessions range from one to two hours at Bon Air, Hanover, and Laburnum locations.
6. Group Exercise and Educational Classes: Group exercise classes including PWR! Moves for Parkinson's and Chair Yoga, plus wellness education classes (Chronic Disease Self-Management, Matter of Balance). Revenue generated through class registration fees.
7. Group Exercise Classes and Pool Memberships: Group exercise and educational classes offered at Bon Air location. Wellness education classes including Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and Matter of Balance. Pool and fitness memberships available separately.
8. Guest Fees: Guests of pool members pay $10 per visit. Limited to two consecutive weeks with advance notice required.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sheltering Arms is a nonprofit organization that provides adaptive and medical fitness, wellness, and recreation services for people with physical disabilities and neurological conditions. Core offerings include NeuroFit (neurological exercise recovery using advanced robotics like Lokomat and exoskeletons), Adapt2Fit (one-on-one adaptive exercise training), PowerEx (12-week semi-supervised transition program), Club Rec (adult day recreation), pool/fitness memberships, and group exercise classes such as PWR! Moves for Parkinson's. The affiliated Sheltering Arms Institute provides inpatient and outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy, enabling integrated care coordination across the continuum of rehabilitation and fitness.

Product overview

Sheltering Arms is an adaptive and medical fitness organization offering a portfolio of specialized programs designed to help individuals with physical disabilities and chronic conditions achieve fitness and wellness goals. The core programs include NeuroFit (neurological exercise recovery using advanced technology like Lokomat and robotic exoskeletons), Adapt2Fit (one-on-one adaptive training), PowerEx (12-week semi-supervised exercise transition program), and Club Rec (adult day recreation program). Additional offerings include pool and fitness membership at the Bon Air location, and group exercise/educational classes such as PWR! Moves for Parkinson's, Chair Yoga, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, and Matter of Balance. Club Rec Plus combines recreation with therapy services. These programs work together to provide a continuum of care from therapy extension through independent fitness maintenance, all delivered by certified exercise physiologists and therapeutic recreation specialists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NeuroFit: A neurological exercise recovery program that incorporates innovative programming and advanced technology to help individuals with neurological conditions achieve fitness and recovery goals.
• Adapt2Fit
• PowerEx
• Club Rec
• Club Rec Plus

Products and services

• NeuroFit An evidence-based, individualized fitness program for people with neurological conditions that uses advanced technology such as Lokomat, EksoNR and Indego exoskeletons, and FES Cycle to improve upper and lower extremity function, strength, conditioning, balance, and overall quality of life. Sessions range from one to two hours at Bon Air, Hanover, and Laburnum locations.
• Adapt2Fit A one-on-one, holistic adaptive exercise training service providing versatile exercise programming tailored to cardiovascular, neurologic, metabolic, developmental, orthopedic, or post-COVID conditions. Sessions are held in gym or therapeutic pool settings at Bon Air, Reynolds, and Laburnum locations.
• PowerEx A 12-week semi-supervised exercise program designed to transition individuals from therapy to independent exercise. Includes initial medical history and fitness assessment, individualized goal setting, 12 one-on-one sessions with an exercise physiologist, fitness center and pool membership, and exit evaluation. Physician referral required.
• Club Rec A supervised adult day recreation program for individuals with a disability or physical limitation that integrates recreation therapy, fitness, and community outings to promote healthy living and help individuals adapt to life after illness or injury. Members participate for many years, with financial assistance and sliding-scale fees available.
• Club Rec Plus Adds on-site physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy to the Club Rec day recreation program for members needing additional therapeutic intervention. Requires physician referral and is typically covered by insurance. Available Monday through Thursday.
• Pool & Fitness Membership A 24,000 sq. ft. medically based fitness center offering adaptive fitness equipment, a therapeutic pool with wheelchair-accessible ramp, aquatic exercise equipment, full-size locker rooms, and a monthly community education series. Available at the Bon Air location with no long-term contracts required.
• PWR! Moves (Parkinson's Wellness Recovery) A group exercise class designed for people living with Parkinson's disease, incorporating neuroplasticity-principled exercise programs to slow disease progression, improve symptoms, restore function, and increase longevity.
• Chair Yoga A chair-based class focusing on developing body awareness while learning basic postures and proper alignment, connecting breath and movements.
• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) A workshop for adults with chronic health conditions focusing on decision making, problem-solving, and action planning to increase confidence and physical/psychological well-being.
• Matter of Balance A program designed to reduce fear of falling and improve activity levels among community-dwelling older adults through eight two-hour classes led by trained coaches.
• Adaptive and Medical Fitness Programs A portfolio of fitness programs uniquely designed to ensure physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle are accessible for everyone, delivered by certified exercise physiologists with customized health and wellness plans. Encompasses NeuroFit, Adapt2Fit, and PowerEx.

Quantifiable outcome

• PowerEx graduates experience an 11% average increase in cardiovascular endurance measured by six-minute walk test distance
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sheltering Arms InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSheltering Arms and Sheltering Arms Institute are affiliated organizations within the Sheltering Arms corporate family. Sheltering Arms Institute provides inpatient and outpatient physical rehabilitation services (physical, occupational, and speech therapy), while Sheltering Arms provides adaptive fitness, wellness, and recreation services. Exercise physiologists at Sheltering Arms can access therapy plans of care and notes for patients referred through Sheltering Arms Institute, enabling seamless care coordination. Sheltering Arms Institute therapists refer patients to Sheltering Arms fitness programs to extend the continuum of care.
• GRTC (Greater Richmond Transit Company)minorOthersGRTC provides public transit access to Sheltering Arms locations. Club Rec and the Midtown Center are located on the GRTC Pulse bus line with a bus stop directly in front of the building. GRTC CARE service provides transportation for eligible individuals in Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico. GRTC LINK Microtransit serves designated zones including the Azalea Zone covering Mechanicsville via Meadowbridge Road.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Craig Hospital: Englewood, Colorado-based non-profit specialty hospital focused on neurorehabilitation for spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury; comparable to the Sheltering Arms Institute on inpatient neurological rehabilitation and technology-intensive therapy.
• Brooks Rehabilitation: Jacksonville, Florida-based non-profit rehabilitation system offering inpatient, outpatient, and adaptive fitness/recreation services through its Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation program; comparable to Sheltering Arms on integrated therapy plus adaptive recreation.
• Spaulding Rehabilitation Network: Boston-area non-profit rehabilitation network offering inpatient, outpatient, and adaptive fitness services through Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers; overlaps with Sheltering Arms on adaptive recreation and therapy, with a broader regional footprint.
• Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital: Grand Rapids, Michigan-based non-profit rehabilitation hospital and outpatient network offering PT/OT/SLP and adaptive services; comparable to Sheltering Arms Institute on therapy breadth and to Sheltering Arms parent on mission-driven adaptive programming.
• Easterseals: National non-profit network providing disability services including adult day programs, therapy, and adaptive recreation across the U.S.; comparable to Sheltering Arms in mission and service mix but operating at far greater scale and geographic breadth.
• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: Chicago-based research hospital specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, including advanced robotics and translational research; broader and more research-focused than Sheltering Arms Institute but directly comparable on inpatient rehab and advanced technology.

Direct peers

• National Ability Center: Park City, Utah-based non-profit providing adaptive recreation, sports, and outdoor programs for individuals with disabilities; comparable to Sheltering Arms on adaptive recreation mission and programming mix, though more sports/outdoor focused.
• Lakeshore Foundation: Birmingham, Alabama-based non-profit providing fitness, recreation, and rehabilitation for people with physical disabilities, including a medically based fitness center, aquatic programs, and adaptive sports—closely matching Sheltering Arms' adaptive and medical fitness model.
• Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare: Pomona, California-based non-profit hospital and outpatient rehabilitation network offering adaptive fitness, recreational therapy, and adult day programs alongside inpatient and outpatient physical rehabilitation—comparable to Sheltering Arms' integrated adaptive-fitness-plus-Institute model.
• Ability360: Phoenix-based non-profit providing adaptive recreation, fitness, sports, and aquatic programs for people with disabilities, directly comparable to Sheltering Arms' adaptive fitness, pool, and Club Rec offerings in terms of mission, member base, and service mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SheltArmsRehab
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0PDlL7Zyiw9WUutdayJzWw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShelteringArms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sheltering-arms-physical-rehabilitation-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/Sheltering_Arms_Institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sheltering Arms