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CAF Women and Gender-Diverse Physical Fitness and Wellness Program

woman with baby working out in gym
The Women and Gender Diverse Physical Wellness and Fitness Program  supports the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in achieving its commitment to increase the representation of women in the military by improving recruitment and retention, and enhancing the overall wellness and fitness of women in the CAF. CFMWS/PSP is working collaboratively with Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) to provide improved, enhanced and tailored programs, considering the needs of CAF women and gender diverse. 

Key program outcomes: 

  • Prepare for occupational & operational training;
  • Reduce susceptibility to musculoskeletal injury;
  • Support women during pregnancy and maternal/parental leave; and
  • Maintain function through aging and gender development stages. 

The program will provide relevant, targeted and evidence-based physical wellness and fitness supports that address gender specific requirements throughout the seven phases of a woman’s career. 

Women's Wellness Continuum

  • RECRUITMENT & BASIC TRAINING
    Support for new CAF recruits through the pre-basic military training physical training program. An evidence-based program to better support new recruits with a foundation of fitness and wellness.
  • 1ST POSTING (18-25 YEARS)
    Focus on enhancing occupational related fitness training by optimizing and increasing lean body mass (future development). 
  • DEPLOYMENT (25-40+ YEARS)

    Targeted interventions related to operational and occupational requirements (future development). 

  • PRENATAL/ POSTPARTUM PROGRAMS (PNP3)
    PNP3 is a fitness and wellness program for women during the specific life stages of pregnancy and maternal/parental leave. 
  • PROMOTION/ BACK AT THE DESK (40-50+ YEARS)
    Health related physical training to support healthy weight and promote maintenance of lean body mass, and support through gender specific development stages such as perimenopause and menopause (in development for FY 24/25). 
  • MATURING (50+ YEARS)
    Menopause and post-menopause physical training resources. Evidence-based programming to ensure longevity and protection against female-specific health matters such as osteoporosis and sleep disturbance (in development for FY 24/25). 
  • RETIRING
    Working towards and supporting physical fitness and wellness goals in retirement (future development).