Cleveland Clinic and YMCA partner with government and health-oriented businesses to provide free fitness and nutrition program to adult Cuyahoga County (OH) residents

go!FIT Greater Cleveland is a public health initiative of Cleveland Clinic, YMCA of Greater Cleveland, Dave's Markets, City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Curves, and American Heart Association. go!FIT Participants were provided free three-month memberships at participating Curves and YMCA locations, access to discounts on healthy foods at Dave's Markets, and nutrition and exercise events at Cleveland Recreation Centers. Participants were required to exercise at least three times a week and complete regular health assessments. Over 25,000 people registered for go!FIT, and over 14,000 people participated. Nearly 6,000 completed the regimen losing over 22,000 pounds. E-newsletters and social media promoted continued engagement. The assessments showed that after over 250,000 visits, the participants who completed the program reduced their BMI by 0.61. The average participant exercised 21 times in three months. The percentage of people who reported exercising 7+ times per month increased from 29% at baseline, to 86% during the program, to 50% 3 months later. The percentage of participants who reported not working out in the previous month dropped from 22% to 7%. 53% stated they participated in an exercise program after go!FIT was over. 75% agreed that after the program they are more likely to make healthy food choices, and that their perception of their body has improved. Interest in this program vastly exceeded the partners' expectations. An active virtual community was created through social media and online communications. Our experience suggests that communal approaches to obesity prevention can build on widespread demand for fitness opportunities and wellness information.