Cooper Aerobics Brings Longevity Science to Fort Worth Senior Living

FORT WORTH, TX – January 09, 2026 – A landmark partnership is set to redefine active aging in North Texas as Cooper Wellness Strategies (CWS), a division of the world-renowned Cooper Aerobics, officially expands its collaboration with Buckner Retirement Services. Beginning January 2, 2026, CWS has taken over the management of the fitness center and wellness programming for nearly 300 residents at The Stayton at Museum Way, Fort Worth’s sole high-rise Life Care retirement community.

This move signals a significant trend in the senior living sector, shifting the focus from basic amenities to integrated, science-backed wellness programs designed to proactively enhance residents' health spans. The on-site team of Cooper staff will now oversee all fitness operations, introducing a suite of programs built on more than five decades of preventive medicine research.

The Science of Active Aging Arrives in Fort Worth

The partnership embeds the core philosophy of Cooper Aerobics—founded in 1970 by Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper—directly into the daily lives of The Stayton's residents. It’s an approach grounded in data and a long-standing mission to improve both the quality and quantity of life through habitual healthy living.

“We are pleased to partner with Buckner Retirement Services on two of its seven retirement communities, bringing more than 55 years of research and science-based findings to The Stayton residents,” said Dr. Tyler Cooper, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cooper Aerobics, in a statement. “Our Cooper Wellness Strategies team is proud to provide programming for their residents, to encourage active aging and improve the quality and quantity of their lives.”

The offerings are comprehensive. Residents will have access to Cooper’s signature turnkey wellness program, Cooper Quest™, which includes detailed health and fitness assessments, personal goal setting, and tailored fitness plans. The on-site Cooper team will lead live group exercise classes, organize recreational activities, and introduce fitness challenges designed to foster community and motivation. For more personalized attention, add-on services such as personal training, a virtual fitness platform, and educational lectures from Cooper Aerobics experts are also available.

This integration represents a move beyond the standard community gym, transforming it into a hub of proactive health management. By applying proven techniques and research-backed methodologies, the program aims to empower residents to maintain their independence and vitality for longer.

A Strategic Partnership in a Growing Market

This Fort Worth expansion is not a new venture but a calculated growth of a proven model. Cooper Aerobics has successfully managed the wellness program at Ventana by Buckner, Dallas's high-rise Life Care community, since its opening in 2019. The success of the VentanaFIT program provided a clear blueprint for extending the partnership to The Stayton, demonstrating the value and effectiveness of this specialized wellness model.

For Cooper Wellness Strategies, the move solidifies its position as a leader in the specialized senior living wellness market. CWS has a diverse portfolio that extends to over 100 Fortune 500 companies, medical fitness centers, and residential communities across the United States, showcasing its capability to deliver high-caliber wellness solutions in various settings. This strategic focus on the burgeoning senior living industry capitalizes on a demographic that increasingly prioritizes health and active lifestyles in their retirement choices.

For Buckner Retirement Services, the collaboration is a key differentiator in a competitive landscape. “This collaboration brings together two groups who are dedicated to creating vibrant lifestyles for active adults. Our goal is to provide the best in holistic wellness for residents, and there’s no better provider to help make that happen than Cooper Aerobics,” commented Ken Robbins, Senior Vice President of Buckner Retirement Services.

Robbins also noted that this partnership is part of a broader, significant investment in The Stayton, which includes a new dining experience and major aesthetic upgrades. This holistic enhancement strategy aims to cement The Stayton's reputation as a premier destination for active seniors.

Redefining Luxury Senior Living at The Stayton

Located in the heart of Fort Worth’s vibrant Cultural District, The Stayton at Museum Way has been a distinctive feature of the city's skyline since it opened in 2011. As the city’s only high-rise Life Care community, it offers residents an urban, resort-style experience with amenities like a skyline restaurant, an indoor pool, a theater, and concierge services, all within walking distance of world-class museums and entertainment.

The community operates on a Life Care model, a structure that provides residents with guaranteed access to a full continuum of care—from independent and assisted living to memory care and skilled nursing—all on one campus. Residents typically pay a substantial one-time entrance fee and subsequent monthly fees, which provides financial predictability and shields them from the potentially catastrophic costs of future long-term care. This model offers peace of mind and stability, allowing residents to age in place without leaving their community.

While competitors in the Fort Worth market, such as the rental-based The Tradition-Clearfork, offer luxurious amenities, The Stayton’s combination of its unique Life Care contract and the new, deeply integrated Cooper wellness program creates a powerful value proposition. The partnership elevates its offering from simply providing fitness facilities to delivering a scientifically validated lifestyle focused on longevity and well-being, managed by one of the most respected names in health.

The Future of Wellness in Senior Communities

The Cooper-Stayton alliance is a powerful illustration of the evolution occurring across the senior living industry. Today's older adults are discerning consumers who are increasingly choosing communities based on the quality and depth of their wellness programming. Research indicates that more than 40% of seniors select their community based on the wellness offerings available, and participation in such programs is linked to significantly higher resident satisfaction.

The industry is rapidly moving away from a reactive, care-first model toward a proactive, holistic wellness lifestyle that encompasses physical, mental, social, and emotional health. This partnership directly addresses that demand by providing a structured, evidence-based framework for health. The availability of a virtual fitness platform and advanced heart rate monitoring systems also shows an alignment with the growing integration of technology to deliver personalized, data-driven health insights.

By bringing a world-class, research-driven wellness provider directly into its community, Buckner is not just enhancing an amenity; it is investing in the long-term health and happiness of its residents. This collaboration sets a new benchmark for what active aging can look like, establishing a model that other communities will likely seek to emulate as they compete for a new generation of wellness-focused seniors.