These Fitness Pros Are Making Wellness More Inclusive — and Bringing the Motivation

It would be a massive understatement to say that I was intimidated when I got involved with fitness for the first time in my adult life. Just walking into the gym was scary for me. I saw an abundance of incredibly fit-looking people and felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. I had no idea what I was doing and didn't feel totally comfortable navigating the gym. I didn't see any employees or trainers that looked even remotely like me, and to be honest, I wasn't quite sure if I belonged there or if anyone could relate to my experiences.

My first experience with a trainer was a free session I was gifted for joining the gym. I remember that session vividly. Just picture me — someone who'd never been to a gym in their entire adult life — engaging in the most brutal training session you can imagine. I'm talking burpees, push-ups, lunges, jump squats, and everything in between — all in 30 mins, with very little rest. By the end of the session, I was light-headed and shaking, almost to the point of passing out. The trainer mildly freaked out and brought me sugar packets to revive me.

After a few minutes of rest, the trainer explained that I did great job and he would have me in good shape and down 30 pounds in no time. One really big problem with this: not once had the trainer asked me about my goals. In fact, we hadn't discussed anything prior to the session. He just made the assumption that I wanted to lose 30 pounds. He went on to explain that, as a Black woman, I needed to manage my weight because I was at a bigger risk for diabetes and heart disease.

I walked away from that first introductory session feeling defeated, unseen, unworthy of being in that space, utterly out of shape, (specifically) 30 pounds overweight, and ready to run away and never return to the gym for the rest of my life. I didn't look the part, I had been embarrassed in front of multiple trainers and other patrons, and it didn't feel like a welcoming space for a fitness newbie like myself.

For individuals with marginalized identities, whether it be members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people of color, older adults, individuals with disabilities, or individuals in larger bodies, walking into a gym can feel terrifying. Having access to trainers of diverse backgrounds goes a long way in allowing individuals to feel more comfortable. A person's unique set of varying identities impacts the way they see and experience the world. Having the ability to train with someone who shares some of these identities can allow individuals to feel more comfortable in a gym setting and also more comfortable opening up about any fears or hesitations about the gym. It also leads to an overall feeling of safety. And feeling comfortable and confident in the gym may make you feel more motivated to stick to a training plan that you’ve decided to take on.

Additionally, incorporating simple practices can go a long way toward creating a more inclusive workout world…and world, period. Taking steps such as installing gender-neutral or single-stall changing rooms and bathroom facilities, asking individuals their pronouns, having a diverse and representative staff, refusing to make assumptions about people's fitness or weight loss goals, and being wheelchair accessible can make a difference.

Fitness isn't just for individuals of a particular size, gender, ability status, shape, age, or ethnicity. You don't need to look a certain way to have a 'fit' body, nor do you need to possess any particular aesthetic characteristics to engage in physical activity of any form. The benefits of movement extend to every single human being and allow you to feel energized, whole, empowered, and nourished in your body, in addition to reduced stress levels, better sleep, and increased physical strength.

Everyone deserves access to the transformative power of strength in environments that feel welcoming and comfortable. Strength is for everybody and individuals from all backgrounds deserve to feel seen, respected, affirmed, and celebrated in fitness spaces. Seeing other trainers with similar backgrounds, who want to make fitness more inclusive for everyone, fosters the ability to feel like you belong in a space and that all of your health and fitness goals — whether weight loss-related or not — are valid and important. And believing that your goals are valid is a key to remaining motivated.

Here are ten trainers who not only understand the importance of making the workout world more inclusive but also embody it in their practices: