CrossFit® for Cancer Survivors: How the CAPABLE Study is Changing Lives, Like It Did for Bob

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When most people think of CrossFit®, they picture athletes lifting massive weights and competing at elite levels. But CrossFit® isn’t just for fitness fanatics; it can also be a powerful tool for healing. That’s the idea behind the CrossFit® and Physical Activity: A Better Life Experience (CAPABLE) study, which is helping cancer survivors regain strength, confidence, and quality of life.

“I created CAPABLE because I believe in the impact that exercise has on wellness, both physically and mentally,” said Jennifer Beebe-Dimmer, Ph.D., MPH, leader of the Population Studies (PS) Research Program, scientific director of the Epidemiology Research Core at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and professor of Oncology at Wayne State University.

The American Cancer Society recommends that cancer survivors avoid inactivity and resume regular exercise as soon as possible after a diagnosis. They also recommend that survivors exercise for 150-300 minutes weekly, with strength training an important part of the recommendation. 

As a member of the CrossFit® Medical Society, Dr. Beebe-Dimmer explained, “CAPABLE teaches survivors how to meet these exercise and strength-training recommendations and helps them gain fitness skills they can use well beyond the classes.”

Launched in 2019 at CrossFit® in the D in Detroit, CAPABLE offers free 12-week training sessions tailored to each participant's abilities, including interval and strength training. Open to all cancer survivors aged 18 and older, regardless of when they were diagnosed, the program includes before-and-after fitness assessments to track progress in strength, cardiovascular health, and body composition. Even patients still undergoing treatment are welcome to join, as more evidence suggests that regular exercise can help alleviate treatment-related side effects.

Bob’s Active Come Back

In May 2021, Bob Costello went to the ER with intense lower back pain. While there, his bloodwork revealed something quite serious. He had myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare blood cancer.

Referred to Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit for a bone marrow transplant, he found support and hope thanks to his care team led by Andrew Kin, M.D., hematologist and medical oncologist, member of the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant, Hematology Oncology and Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis Multidisciplinary Teams.

“I'm always treated well when I come into Dresner Clinic. I just can't say enough good things about Karmanos, Dresner and Dr. Kin,” Costello raved.

Following his transplant and recovery, Dr. Kin let Costello return home to Charlevoix three months later. Although his transplant course was relatively uncomplicated, the initial activity restrictions and infectious precautions were a big adjustment for someone used to being an active skier and ski instructor.

In 2023, while checking his email, Costello saw an invitation to join the CAPABLE program available in his area. He was focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle since his treatment and wasted no time signing up. He was part of the first cohort of cancer survivors who participated in the program in Petoskey.

“Patients like Bob remind us how transformative exercise can be while undergoing cancer treatment. There is ample evidence showing that a patient’s functional abilities before, during, and after the transplant process make a big difference in patient outcomes, independent of the disease or treatment. Through his participation in our CAPABLE study, we’ve seen firsthand how physical activity helps restore strength, confidence, and a sense of control,” Dr. Kin expressed.

Now, Costello at age 73, has been practicing CrossFit® for two-and-a-half years and is returning as a ski instructor for his third season since his stem cell transplant.  He actively promotes CAPABLE to other cancer survivors, calling it a crucial part of his healing journey.

Andrew Kin, M.D., and Bob Costello

Andrew Kin, M.D., and Bob Costello

Bob Costello

Bob Costello standing outside of the Dresner Clinic entrance.

CAPABLE’s Growing Impact

CAPABLE Participants on Bikes

What began with just 12 participants and one gym in Detroit has expanded to seven gyms across Michigan, engaging more than 300 cancer survivors. CAPABLE’s reach continues to grow, with new locations expected to join the study by the end of 2026.

“Participants report being able to do things now that they couldn’t before taking CAPABLE classes, like picking up their grandkids and carrying groceries in from the car. It’s exciting to see how this program benefits people in many aspects of their lives,” Dr. Beebe-Dimmer emphasized.

Results published in 2023 show remarkable improvements in participants’ body weight, body fat, muscle mass, fitness, and blood markers linked to heart and metabolic health. The research team is now seeking new funding to explore CAPABLE’s effects on sleep and cognitive function for cancer survivors.

If you or a loved one is a cancer survivor over 18 and is interested in participating, visit karmanos.org/capable or email CAPABLE@wayne.edu.