How to find an LGBTQ+-affirming personal trainer or gym in your area

Back to Divorce Guide Magazine

---

Finding a safe, welcoming space is essential for a successful movement practice and comfort in your body. Fitness is deeply personal, often triggering past trauma around body image, abilities, or marginalized identities. That can make investing in your fitness journey incredibly vulnerable, because the industry can be harsh and judgemental for women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those outside mainstream “body” standards. Trans and non-binary people may also have unique health needs and goals that differ from cisgender individuals.

Choosing an LGBTQ+-affirming gym or personal trainer helps to ensure you have a more compassionate, person-centered experience. This search can feel overwhelming or daunting

 – especially in the midst of a major life transition – but there are some simple ways to find ease in the process. Focus on looking for queer-owned, gender-affirming, body-diverse and/or HAES-aligned (Health At Every Size) spaces. 

Start with your research

1. Use specific search terms in an online search engine
   
   Searching terms like “queer personal trainer [city name]” or “trans/queer friendly gym [city name]” is a good start. Useful terms to clarify include: gender-affirming (trainers affirming all gender identities), body neutral/body positive/weight neutral (trainers welcoming all body types), HAES-aligned (trainers practicing Health At Every Size principles), and trauma-informed (trainers sensitive to trauma around fitness and life in general).

   Some spaces aren't solely queer-focused but still offer a welcoming environment. Look for clear signs on their website, like inclusive language, diverse photos, instructor bios with pronouns, and varied class offerings.

   In both cases, seek free consultations, intro offers or trial classes so you can assess the vibe and fit of the space/trainer before you fully commit to a membership or session pack.
   

2. Search local community groups, and specialized online databases
   
   Organizations like The OUT Foundation, Decolonizing Fitness, and Health At Every Size offer searchable online databases to find an inclusive professional in your area. These professionals typically pay a membership fee and are educated or certified in that organization’s framework in order to be included.

   Facebook and Reddit can provide valuable insights into your local community. On Facebook, search groups like “Queer Exchange [City Name]”. I’d recommend searching for terms like “personal trainer”, “fitness coach”, and “gym” in the group before writing your own post as others may have already asked a similar question. On Reddit, search both your metro area’s subreddit, for example r/portland, and r/LGBT.
   

3. Search keywords and hashtags on social media

   Social media platforms function as search engines these days, so profiles may already appear on Google search results. However, you can search hashtags like #QueerTrainer, #TransPersonalTrainer, #LGBTQFitness, or #BodyPositiveFitness. Add your location for relevance, such as #NYCPersonalTrainer. 

How to verify a trainer or gym is truly affirming

1. Check for explicit language on websites or in trainer bios:

• LGBTQ+-affirming (welcoming all sexual orientations)

• gender-affirming (supporting all gender identities)

• body/weight neutral or body positive (acceptance of all body types)

• HAES-aligned (Health At Every Size principles), and/or 

• trauma-informed (sensitivity to trauma and creative a safe environment for fitness)

2. Look for pronoun use: It’s usually a good sign if trainers or instructors list their personal pronouns in their bio or on the gym’s “About” page. 

3. Request a consultation: Book a free consultation or discovery call. Come prepared to with any questions you may have related to your own fitness goals, and ask about their experience working with queer and/or body diverse clients as well as their training style. 

4. Tour the space and amenities: Does the gym have gender-neutral bathrooms and/or private changing areas? If they sell clothing/merchandise, look for inclusive sizing. Gauge if you feel comfortable and welcome in the space.

5. Ask about their belief system and certifications: Seek trainers who are anti-diet, body liberation, or HAES-aligned. Trauma-informed trainers are typically a good fit for queer individuals who want to focus on safe, comfortable movement. 

Consider online training

If you can’t find an in-person trainer in your local area, there are still many queer/trans and LGBTQ+-affirming trainers who work solely online or offer online coaching in addition to in-person training. Remote options allow you to work with someone who understands your unique needs and goals without being limited to a specific location. Online coaches should be able to work with whatever you have access to whether that’s a few dumbbells or a fully fledged garage gym. They can build a custom plan for you to use at the gym location of your choice. 

Throughout your search, remember that you deserve to work out in an enviroment that feels welcoming and values you as a human being – not for what you look like, how you identify, how much you can lift, or what you can offer – but simply because you exist. 

---

Learn more about and how to work with Rebecca Stewart here!

---

Please note that the blogpost above does not represent the thoughts or opinions of Fresh Start Registry and solely represents the original author’s perspective.

this issue

More from this issue

scroll for more →