Thrive Cancer Exercise Program
The Thrive Baseline program is a FREE, 12-week community-based exercise program designed specifically for those living with and beyond cancer, with in-person locations in Calgary, Airdrie, and Lethbridge as well as online options for those living in rural Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories.
Thrive Cancer Exercise Program merges ACE and EXCEL to support those living in Calgary, Airdrie, Lethbridge, rural Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories.
OUR NEWS: A New Name - and Continued Exercise Oncology Programming: Welcome to the "Thrive Cancer Exercise Program"
Thank you for being a valued participant in our exercise oncology classes. Over the years, we have offered many different exercise resources within our grant-funded studies, including most recently the ACE and EXCEL interventions. For some of you, participation in an exercise oncology program may have started even earlier, through our Thrive Centre's ENHANCE, BEAUTY, TrueNTH, or another program over the past 25 years!
As we continue to deliver exercise to individuals living with and beyond cancer in Southern Alberta, across rural/remote locations in Alberta, as well as support individuals across other provinces who do not have exercise oncology resources, we want to thank our donors and supporters. This includes the Surerus Community Support Fund, sponsors and donors at the Steven Torhjelm Memorial Golf Tournament (formerly Drive for Thrive), and donors to our Thrive Centre at the University of Calgary.
We are excited to continue to support you with our evidence-based exercise oncology resources, including programming and education, under the new name "Thrive Cancer Exercise Program".
Our classes will look the same - led by qualified exercise professionals, tailored to meet your needs. We will also continue to evaluate our programs, building the evidence to support implementation of exercise oncology in cancer care.
Thank you for contributing to our research, implementation of our programs, and advocating for the power of movement throughout the cancer journey.
Thank you,
Nicole, for the Thrive Cancer Exercise Program team of staff and students
What the Program Involves
- Free 12-week exercise program, with two 1-hour sessions per week
- Circuit-style group exercise classes that combine strength training with cardio intervals, balance, core exercises, and stretching
- Exercises progress throughout the 12-weeks, with instructors tailoring each session to meet your individual needs and abilities
- Designed to enhance your quality of life and help you take back control of your health during cancer survivorship
Eligibility
Participants must:
- Be currently receiving treatment or within 3 years of completing their last cancer treatment
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be able to speak and understand English during an exercise class
- Be able to provide informed consent in English
- Be able to participate in mild to moderate intensity exercise
- If requesting online classes, have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection and a camera, and be comfortable using technology and online platforms
Physical Benefits
Psychological Benefits
Registration Process
Baseline offers three sessions throughout the year:
- Fall: Mid-September to early December
- Winter: Early January to the end of March
- Spring: Early April to the end of June
- Specific start and end dates are confirmed closer to the beginning of each session.
- Please note that if you plan to be away for more than two weeks during a session, we recommend registering for a session where you can attend the majority of classes. The program progresses each week, and regular attendance is important to ensure your safety and help you achieve the best possible outcomes.
- If you are interested in participating, you will be added to our contact list for the next available session. We will contact everyone on the list by email on the same date.
- The registration process begins 6-8 weeks before the start of each session. At that time, you will receive a class allocation survey to complete. Your responses will help guide you to the class that best meets your needs.
- Registration is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and classes typically fill very quickly.
- To start the registration process, please get in touch, either by emailing us at thrive@ucalgary.ca or filling out the form below.
Thrive Cancer Exercise Program - Contact Us
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Watch this inspiring video!
This video will give you an idea of what the Thrive program is all about. Please note this video was filmed during one of our ACE classes (previous study), but it is the same as the Thrive program. Watch it to get an inside view of our Thrive Centre, where our Thrive classes at the University of Calgary are held.
Read what Brian from Calgary had to say about the ACE program - which has now turned into the Thrive program:
“The ACE program was a veritable "gift". It gave me a sense of purpose that I lacked and a positive feeling that it was possible to feel empowered in my fight with cancer in a way that raised my self-confidence and determination to succeed.
Another benefit I got from the program was "a feeling of belonging"..... not being alone with my cancer diagnosis and that feeling is, I think so very important to mental well-being while dealing with this disease. Making friends with others on the same journey is a benefit that extends far beyond the courses themselves. I am not alone, I have made special friends with whom I share a special bond...Need a boost? Want to feel better? Want to share hope and strength, join the ACE program and get the positive vibes!”
Thrive is supported by Surerus Pipeline Inc
The Surerus Pipeline Inc. Community Fund supports our Thrive Cancer Exercise program (TCEP). The Surerus Pipeline Inc. Community Support Fund provides financial support to community organizations that improve the quality of life within the communities in which Surerus’ businesses have a presence.
This support for Thrive allows us to continue to deliver our exercise oncology programs, supporting ‘clinic-to-community’ program implementation, and deliver the resources that help our participants live well with and beyond cancer. Thrive is community support in movement. We are proud to partner with Surerus and make a difference for individuals living with and beyond cancer.
To read more about our partnership with Surerus, please click here
Steven Torhjelm Memorial Tournament
Thank you to our sponsors, donors, and golf tournament attendees and volunteers for making out first annual Steven Torhjelm Memorial Tournament a success! We transitioned from "Drive for Thrive" to this new incarnation in honour of Steven Torhjelm, a close family friend. His family has taken on organizing and growing the event, to build hope for individuals living with and beyond cancer through supporting our exercise oncology resource development.
A funding update will come soon from the Torhjelm family, and we will share the impact of those funds on supporting our exercise programming in the Arthur Child Cancer Centre for those on treatment, and in the community for those on treatment, and in the community for those completed treatment.
We look forward to your continued support and participation in next year's tournament in May 2027! Details will come out in early 2027.
Thank you,
Nicole and the HWL team
Our community partners for our in-person class offerings included the City of Calgary Recreation, Wellspring Calgary, Lethbridge Polytechnic, and City of Airdrie
Resources
- Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) Home-Based Maintenance Program manual. The exercise maintenance program provided guidance for your tailored workout, where you are in control, with the goal of staying active.
- Spanish translation of the Home-Based Maintenance manual
- Watch these instructional videos from our Health and Wellness ACE instructors: Lower Body Exercises, Upper Body Exercises, Core Exercises, Balance Exercises, Cardio Exercises
See how a class is typically run:
Publications
Ester M, McNeely M, McDonough M, Culos-Reed SN. A survey of technology literacy and use in cancer survivors from the Alberta Cancer Exercise program. SAGE Digital Health. 2021; 11(3):699-708. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibaa136
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ):
- Yes! Our Thrive program supports individuals who have never exercised before or are not currently active. We meet participants where they are, providing a variety of alternatives and modifications as needed.
- Our Thrive program is designed to support individuals who need guidance integrating exercise and physical activity into their lives. If you were active before your diagnosis but are unsure how to exercise safely now, Thrive is a great option for you.
- If you are currently exercising, are not experiencing any pain or side effects related to exercise, and have no concerns about your current routine, Thrive may not be the best fit for your needs.
- If you are unsure whether Thrive is right for you, please call us at 403-210-8482, and we would be happy to help you decide.
- Our Thrive classes are exclusively for individuals with a cancer diagnosis. Support persons are not permitted to be in the exercise room or participate in the class while it is in session. They are welcome to drive you to and from class and assist with drop-off and pick-up.
- A typical Thrive Baseline class includes 10-12 participants, one instructor, and one volunteer.
- No, we do not offer a hybrid option where participants attend some classes in person and others online. Once you are registered for a class-either in person or online-you will remain in that class for the entire session.
- If you know that you will miss more than two weeks of the program due to a planned vacation, scheduled surgery, or another commitment, we ask that you wait until the next session to join.
- Our classes build on the previous week's material. To help ensure your safety and allow you to get the most out of the program, we do not recommend missing more than two weeks (four classes).
- Anytime! Our Thrive program is designed to support individuals wherever they are in their cancer journey. Whether you are pre-treatment, currently undergoing treatment, or post-treatment, we are here to support you. We always meet our participants where they are at each day.
- If you are experiencing cancer-related fatigue (CRF), research shows that exercise can help manage this chronic fatigue and improve energy levels.
- If you register for a virtual class, you will join from home and complete the work out there. You will join the class live via Zoom from your laptop or computer. We aim to provide an experience that is as similar as possible to attending in person. The instructor will be there with you live, along with the other participants in your class. The instructor will guide you through the exercises and monitor your form to help ensure you are performing the exercises safely and correctly.
- You do not need to purchase a lot of equipment or have a home gym to participate. We recommend having either a set of light dumbbells or a resistance band available; however, all exercises can be completed using only your body weight.
ACE Maintenance
ACE Maintenance is the sister program to Thrive Baseline. The maintenance program is available to all who have completed the Thrive baseline program.
Maintenance classes follow the same 12-week programming as the Baseline programs, however, the maintenance classes are at a cost.
To learn and view the various classes that are being offered online and in person, please follow the links below.
ACE Maintenance - University of Calgary (In person and online classes)
ACE Maintenance - City of Calgary (Sir Winston Churhill and Southlan Lesiure Centre - in person)
ACE Maintenance - City of Calgary (Killarney - in person)
ACE Maintenance - City of Airdrie (Genesis Place - in person)
Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) Home-Based Maintenance Program manual. The exercise maintenance program provided guidance for your tailored workout, where you are in control, with the goal of staying active.
Have a question?
- Telephone: 403-210-8482
- Email: thrive@ucalgary.ca
Message to our website visitors
Material on this website has been designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction, and/or treatment. If you have specific questions, please consult your doctor or an appropriate health care professional.