How to improve gym accessibility
Moving Beyond the Basics: True Inclusivity in Gyms
When you search for ways to improve gym accessibility, the advice you find is often basic and limited. Suggestions like training staff to be disability confident, hiring disabled staff, and providing accessible changing rooms are good starting points. But these steps don’t address the daily challenges many people face in gyms.
As a qualified personal trainer and accessibility advocate, I believe we need to do more. True inclusivity means using modern, thoughtful solutions to meet the diverse needs of gym-goers, including those with disabilities, mental health challenges, and sensory sensitivities.
Why Current Advice Falls Short
The usual advice—train staff, provide accessible facilities, and keep spaces tidy—is important but not enough. These steps should already be standard. They don’t address the invisible barriers that stop people from feeling comfortable or confident in gyms.
For example, we rarely see advice on using modern technology, supporting neurodivergent individuals, or offering clear, accessible information. It’s time to think bigger.
Modern Solutions to Make Gyms Truly Inclusive
Here are some practical strategies that can help improve gyms, making them more accessible and welcoming for everyone:
1. Video Walk-Throughs and QR Code Guides
Navigating a gym can feel overwhelming, especially for neurodivergent people or first-time visitors. Gyms can provide video walk-throughs on their websites or apps to show the layout, explain where equipment is located, and highlight facilities.
QR codes on machines can link to easy-to-follow instructions, workout tips, and safety guides. These tools help members feel more confident and less reliant on staff for help.
2. Detailed Maps of Equipment Layout
A printed or digital map showing where equipment is located can reduce anxiety and help members find their way. Clear, detailed maps are especially helpful for those with visual impairments or neurodivergent individuals who find chaotic environments overwhelming.
3. Quiet Areas
Loud music, bright lights, and busy spaces can be overstimulating. Providing quiet areas or rooms where noise and sensory input are reduced can make a big difference. These spaces allow people to recharge and make gyms more inclusive for those with sensory sensitivities.
4. Visual, Step-by-Step Instructions
Using gym equipment can feel intimidating. Clear, visual instructions—either laminated guides or digital displays—can help. This approach supports newcomers, those with learning disabilities, and anyone who feels anxious asking for help.
5. Accessible Websites and Apps
Accessibility should start before someone enters the gym. Websites and apps need features like larger fonts, screen reader compatibility, and high-contrast designs. These adjustments benefit people with visual impairments, dyslexia, or other accessibility needs.
6. Customised Induction Processes
Inductions are often one-size-fits-all, but everyone has different needs. Gyms can offer tailored options, such as allowing a friend to join, providing longer one-on-one sessions, or doing the induction in a quieter space. These small changes can make a big difference in welcoming new members. Find out what to expect at a gym induction here.
Moving Toward Meaningful Change
True inclusivity means thinking beyond physical spaces and embracing new ways to support all members. Imagine a gym where you can take a virtual tour before visiting, use QR codes to learn how to operate machines, and access a quiet room when needed. These are the kinds of innovations that make fitness spaces truly inclusive. These are simple things that improve gym accessibility.
Let’s Raise the Bar on Gym Accessibility
As a qualified personal trainer, I’m passionate about creating this change. My goal is to become a “Not So Typical” consultant, partnering with gyms to make them truly inclusive. I want to show that accessibility should be proactive, not reactive.
To gym owners and industry leaders: let’s do better. By adopting these strategies, we can make accessibility improvements. We can create spaces where everyone feels empowered, respected, and included. It’s time to move beyond checklists and create gyms where everyone belongs. When we do that, no one loses.
