For the one in four adults in the U.S. living with a disability, barriers to safely accessing the gym are often legion. From straight-up physically inaccessible spaces to places that only emphasize banging and clanging without regard to sensory needs, gyms unfortunately often provide far from equitable access.
Here, I’ll break down gym accessibility from a few angles: first and foremost, for people with various disabilities, including one of BarBend’s certified personal trainers and an exercise therapy specialist; gym owners, including one of BarBend’s editorial team members; and gymgoers who aren’t currently living with a disability. As a certified personal trainer myself, I’ll offer tips for customizing exercises for different needs abilities, along with actionable items for all gym owners and gymgoers, to make these spaces welcoming for all so everyone can enjoy the holistic benefits of exercise.
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Barriers to Access in Fitness Spaces
- Tips and Exercise Modifications for Gymgoers With Disabilities
- Tips for Gym Owners and Staff on Creating More Accessible
- Environments
- GGR's Gym Accessibility Checklist
- Tips for Non-Disabled Gymgoers to Support a safer Environment
- In Summary
- References
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