PURPOSE: The First Step to Active Health program is a progressive physical activity program for older adults developed as a result of the National Blueprint to Increase Physical Activity Among Adults Aged 50 and Older. The First Step program incorporates educational materials and strategies for behavioral change with 4 progressive steps to increasing physical activity including cardiovascular, flexibility, strength, and balance activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the First Step to Active Health program in a group of older adults from several senior centers. METHODS: 39 participants (37 females, 2 males; age range 62–95 years) from 3 senior centers and 1 assisted living facility completed a 10-week program with a once-weekly group exercise meeting (1 hour) and additional home exercise program (2–4 times per week). Exercises included 10 minutes of walking, a 10 minute warm-up, 30 minutes strengthening using elastic bands, and a 10 minute cool-down. The warm-up and cool down periods consisted of flexibility and balance activities. In addition to exercise activities, each group meeting included discussion on exercise selection, progression, safety, motivation, barriers, strategies, goal-setting, and activity tracking. Participants were encouraged to perform cardiovascular activities at home, as well as the other activities they performed in the group setting. Physical fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test one week before and one week after the program. RESULTS: Pre- and post test values for the Senior Fitness test were analyzed using paired t-test. Participants improved significantly in lower extremity strength (+14%, p<.001), upper body strength (+24%, p<.001), cardiovascular endurance (+18%, p<.001), lower extremity flexibility (+137%, p<.001), and upper extremity flexibility (+22%, p=.003). Functional mobility was improved (+6%, p=.14), but not significantly. There was a high attrition rate, noting 49% of those beginning the program (76 completed baseline testing) did not complete the post-testing. Post-test surveys indicated that while participants enjoyed the exercises, they did not enjoy the paperwork, education on exercise, or testing. CONCLUSIONS: The First Step to Active Health was effective at improving physical fitness of older adults in these senior centers. This study identified a need to evaluate recruitment and retention strategies for future programs. More research is needed on the impact of the First Step program on health and exercise behavior. Supported by grant NIH Grant RO1 NR0451503 (R. Topp, PI), and The Hygenic Corporation.