Meet Becca

Becca Fetter, PT, DPT earned her B.S. degree from the University of Iowa in 2005, she then worked as a mechanical engineer for 8 years prior to deciding on a career change to become a Physical Therapist. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis where she also developed a passion for pelvic health physical therapy. Outside of helping patients, she enjoys participating in and coaching CrossFit classes, sewing and quilting in the winter, gardening, hiking, camping and kayaking with her husband Ken in the summer, and taking care of their beautiful old house all year round. 

About the class

Osteoporosis is a very common diagnosis in post-menopausal women, with at least 50% of women having decreased bone density. This puts you at an increased risk of fractures, most commonly caused by a fall. Improving your bone density in your 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s can decrease your fracture risk through your 80’s and 90’s, when falls and fractures are a common cause of life changing injury and mortality.

Research has shown that doing resistance training is safe and effective in improving bone density in post-menopausal women when performed in a supervised environment. Bone Builders is a small group strength training class led by physical therapist Becca Fetter, PT, DPT of Ability Physical Therapy. Participants will be introduced to functional strength training with lighter weights to start, progressing to barbells and dumbbells, with close supervision of form for safety. Over the first 1-3 months, depending on the individual, loads will be progressed to weights that are fairly heavy in order to stimulate bones to rebuild and increase density.

While the main focus of the class will be increasing bone density, other benefits to strength training include improving quality of life, improving psychological function, improving metabolism, and managing chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Balance exercise will also be included to reduce risk of falls.