The beginning of the year is a notorious time for resolutions.
These declarations for a change or creation of new habits can be further dastardly for their tendency to fall through. The gyms and fitness centers fill up after the New Year with wellness-resolved hopefuls and empty to less-populated levels after a few weeks.
For members of the LGBTQ+ community, the lack of inclusive fitness centers and representation in fitness narratives can serve as a further barrier to fulfilling fitness resolutions in the new year.
The Buckeye Flame spoke to four LGBTQ+ inclusive fitness spaces across Ohio about how to kick-start and maintain your fitness journey in the new year.
Out Fitness Collective, Cleveland, OH
“Start your fitness journey by deciding how you want to feel, not how you want to look. If you want to feel motivated and capable, you’ll find exercises you love doing. For example, competitive sports made me feel unathletic, but when I finally found strength training, I felt empowered. That feeling keeps me going,” said Josh Jones Forbes of Out Fitness Collective.
“Queer people need ownership in a space so we can create inclusivity based on our lived experiences. For Out Fitness, that means: a private studio to feel safe, pay-as-you-go instead of upfront costs, and keys shared with other LGBTQ+ instructors for their own classes. I wanted an affordable, affirming place to work out, and it turns out I’m not the only one.”
Amplio Fitness, Rocky River, OH
“A great first step in starting your fitness journey is connecting with some peers!” said Belle Ursa, co-founder and health coach at Amplio Fitness. “The industry can be SO scary with SO much misinformation, and it can be super overwhelming to just google things. In the age that we are in, with social media like TikTok and Instagram, there can be a lot of false promises and reductionist behaviors being promoted and it can leave a lot of people disappointed, frustrated, and in worst case scenarios: in more pain.”
“Having friends and other community members that are learning can help foster accountability, joy, commitment, and resource sharing which can battle misinformation,” Ursa said.
“Another step is to reach out to a professional , like a personal trainer or coach to provide you with education, guidance, and support. The trainers here at Amplio Fitness are trained specifically to support members of the LGBTQ+ community, incorporating our unique needs and obstacles to create the most accessible and affirming care possible.”
“The key to creating an LGBTQ+ fitness space is knowing who in the community is underserved and taking specific steps to acknowledge, protect, and carve out space for them. At Amplio Fitness, that is exactly what we aim to do! We specifically aim to highlight the Trans and Nonbinary experiences in and out of fitness spaces, what needs are not being met, what factors are preventing them from entering these spaces, and how we can educate ourselves to better address these things.
“It is not simply slapping a rainbow sticker on your door, or naming a program ‘Rainbow.’ In addition, it is a lifelong commitment to continuously educate ourselves on what needs are not being met, what we can do as providers to help these folks engage with our services, and unpack our societally taught biases and understand how that affects our community from day to day,” Ursa said.
Personal Fitness Navigators, Columbus, OH
“It’s good to set a goal for yourself and visualize what it looks and feels like to reach that goal,” said Rokki Bonner of Personal Fitness Navigators. “Focus on the vision and start to feel how you would once you achieve that goal. See yourself having improved vitality, more energy, and how you want to look and feel your best.
“That is what’s going to keep you motivated on the journey,” Bonner added. “The other thing is to be mindful and present during the process. This will assist in building momentum as you progress in reaching your goals. Examples of this would be paying attention to how you feel and surrounding yourself with a positive, supportive, and affirming environment.”
Lyndhurst Fit Body Boot Camp, Lyndhurst, OH
“Finding a place, program or coach that will sit down with you to discuss your health and fitness needs is very important when beginning your journey. Some people don’t know what they don’t know, might have anxiety about starting something new or wonder what the ‘best fit’ may be for their goals,” said owner, exercise physiologist and certified personal trainer Ryan Goldstein.
“Being able to talk openly with a qualified professional can make the journey a lot less bumpy and build in the added support and guidance for success. If that’s not an option, a great first step can literally be increasing daily activity, focusing on one healthier choice per day and committing to what is manageable. The small wins will add up big!”
“We understand that some people may not have anywhere else they feel seen and if our goal is to be the best 30 minutes of their day, then we can’t do that unless we make them feel welcome, safe and supported. The key is being authentic with our vision and then having a team of people that live and breathe those core values on a daily basis,” Goldstein said.
“Lyndhurst Fit Body Boot Camp has always been, and always will be, a safe and inclusive space for everyone who walks through our doors. The sign in the front window is there year-round because we wholeheartedly stand by those words, everyday.
“PRIDE is something we exemplify and hold dear, year round, in every sense of the word. We are proud — everyday. We are inclusive — everyday. We are changing lives — everyday.”
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