Crossing boundaries: The perceived impact of disabled fitness instructors in the gym

Abstract

Objectives: For disabled individuals, the gym is perceived to be an inaccessible space to exercise due to the deeply embedded ableism within this environment. This study uniquely explored how disabled gym instructors perceived they impacted the gym environment and the possibilities of making the gym a more inclusive space for disabled people to exercise. Design: We used an inductive, qualitative design whereby ten disabled gym instructors were purposefully sampled. Methods: Data were rigorously collected through semi-structured interviews totalling 35 hours, transcribed verbatim, and subject to thematic analysis. Results: Participants perceived they made three key impacts in the gym. First, they believed they promoted the gym as a more inclusive environment through helping construct a more accessible physical space, embodying an alternate way of being and providing a relatable narrative. Second, instructors believed their own unique understanding of disability improved their capacity to relate to disabled gym clients by instilling a sense of camaraderie and acting as an aspirational future self. Third, participants felt they enhanced applied practice for training disabled clients through creativity in training and supporting non-disabled instructors. Conclusion: This article makes a significant contribution to knowledge by highlighting that disabled gym instructors can play a vital role in promoting a more inclusive space to exercise. It also highlights that to increase gym use amongst disabled populations, efforts should consider the potential beneficial impacts of disabled gym instructors in relation to promoting health and well-being.

Barriers to, and Facilitators of, Exercising in Fitness Centres among Adults with and without Physical Disabilities: A Scoping Review

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Social Justice Through Sport and Exercise Studies: A Manifesto

“… In exercise and sport studies settings in universities, classrooms, gyms, and stadia: create, curate, sponsor memorials, art, poetry, theater, such as The Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery Alabama "conceived with the hope of creating a sober, meaningful site where people can gather and reflect on America's history of racial inequality….Set on a six-acre site…uses sculpture, art, and design to contextualize racial terror" (The National Memorial for Peace and Justice. n.d.; see also Smith, 2017;Goshen Resolution, 2015).…”

“…Disabled gym instructors are powerful disability advocates in the gym through improving inclusion, service, and education of disability Richardson, Smith, & Papathomas (2017). concluded the presence and impact of these specialized individuals contributed to social…”