Fitness inclusivity is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of the fitness industry. While physical activity is beneficial for everyone, not everyone can meet traditional fitness standards. Older adults, pregnant individuals, people with disabilities, and those managing chronic conditions often encounter significant barriers when attempting to engage in fitness activities.
Understanding the Barriers
The obstacles preventing inclusive fitness participation are multifaceted, spanning personal, social, environmental, and systemic challenges. On a personal level, many individuals struggle with fear of injury or falling, chronic pain, fatigue, and low motivation (Chen et al., 2025). Those with disabilities or chronic conditions often face secondary health issues and lack confidence in their physical capabilities.
Social barriers compound these challenges. Lack of support from family and friends, caretaking responsibilities, and the intimidating nature of traditional gym environments can discourage participation (Nikolajsen et al., 2021). Many individuals with disabilities depend on others for transportation or financial support, creating additional hurdles.
Environmental and systemic barriers present the most significant challenges. Physical inaccessibility remains widespread. Facilities often lack proper ramps, accessible equipment, or full ADA compliance (Nikolajsen et al., 2021). Transportation difficulties, inconvenient class schedules, and high program costs further limit access. Unsafe neighborhoods, poor weather conditions, and inadequately adapted spaces create additional obstacles (Chen et al., 2025). Perhaps most critically, many fitness facilities lack staff trained to work effectively with these populations, leaving participants without proper support during program participation (Tomasone et al., 2023).
How Fitness Professionals Can Adapt
It is up to fitness professionals to create truly inclusive environments. Inclusivity is achieved by tailoring exercise programs to individual abilities and emphasizing comprehensive, multicomponent regimens. Current physical activity guidelines recommend that older adults and those with chronic conditions or disabilities aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, plus muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days. Balance and flexibility training should also be incorporated, with adjustments tailored to each person’s functional capacity, medical status, and personal preferences.
Effective adaptation involves modifying exercise intensity, frequency, and type to match participants’ abilities and health conditions. Multicomponent programs that combine aerobic exercise, resistance training, balance work, and flexibility exercises prove most effective, especially for individuals with frailty, sarcopenia, or chronic disease (Visser et al., 2022). Progressive resistance training and aquatic modalities have shown particular benefits for improving strength, balance, and mobility in older adults.
When it comes to inclusive fitness, safety is paramount. Programs should include individualized risk assessments, documentation of exercise prescriptions, and regular monitoring for adverse events. Temporary contraindications, such as unstable medical conditions, should be managed before starting or resuming exercise. Ongoing communication with healthcare providers ensures programs remain safe and effective while providing participants with confidence in the program’s safety measures.
Creating quality participation experiences requires attention to the social and psychological aspects of exercise environments. Fitness professionals should foster welcoming atmospheres, provide adequate supervision and support, and ensure participants feel valued and capable (Tomasone et al., 2023).
Finding Inclusive Fitness Classes
For those seeking inclusive fitness opportunities, several resources can help. The National Center for Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) offers directories and guidance to help you find adapted programs. When searching for classes, look for programs that explicitly specify adaptations for older adults, people with disabilities, or those with chronic conditions. Local community centers, healthcare providers, and disability advocacy organizations can provide valuable recommendations.
Effective Outreach Strategies
For fitness facilities and professionals seeking to serve these populations better, effective outreach requires culturally tailored, community-engaged strategies. Building partnerships with local organizations, faith-based groups, and disability advocacy organizations helps establish trust and ensures programs meet actual community needs. Community-based participatory approaches that involve members in program design and delivery consistently prove most successful.
Communication must be culturally and linguistically appropriate, with materials adapted for various literacy levels and provided in multiple languages when needed. Employing community-matched staff and lay health workers improves recruitment and retention.
Accessibility extends beyond physical accommodations. Programs should offer flexible scheduling, diverse activity options, transportation support, and modified facilities and equipment (Nikolajsen et al., 2021). Personal outreach through direct invitations, word-of-mouth referrals, and social networks increases engagement. Assigning workout buddies, presenting role models, and providing individual coaching foster motivation and a sense of belonging (Tomasone et al., 2023).
Reducing financial barriers through incentives, cost reductions, and facilitated attendance, such as providing transportation or childcare, can significantly improve participation rates (Chen et al., 2025). Staff training in cultural competence and disability inclusion creates welcoming, supportive environments essential for sustained participation.
Moving Forward
Fitness inclusivity requires a multi-level approach that addresses facility accessibility, staff training, transportation, and financial support, as well as increased awareness through tailored outreach (Nikolajsen et al., 2021). By understanding and actively removing barriers, fitness professionals can create environments where everyone, regardless of age, ability, or health status, can experience the profound benefits of physical activity. The fitness industry must evolve beyond one-size-fits-all approaches to embrace true inclusivity, ensuring that movement and wellness become accessible to all members of our communities.
References:
- Chen Y, Shah S, Chen Y, Owen AJ, Ekegren CL, Ilic D, Gasevic D. Barriers to and facilitators of physical activity among community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2025 Aug 25;15(8):e095260. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-095260. PMID: 40854831; PMCID: PMC12382567.
- Nikolajsen H, Sandal LF, Juhl CB, Troelsen J, Juul-Kristensen B. Barriers to, and Facilitators of, Exercising in Fitness Centres among Adults with and without Physical Disabilities: A Scoping Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul 9;18(14):7341. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18147341. PMID: 34299792; PMCID: PMC8304633.
- Tomasone JR, Man KE, Sartor JD, Andrusko KE, Martin Ginis KA, Latimer-Cheung AE. ‘On-the ground’ strategy matrix for fostering quality participation experiences among persons with disabilities in community-based exercise programs. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2023 Nov;69:102469. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102469. Epub 2023 May 27. PMID: 37665946.
- Visser D, Wattel EM, Gerrits KHL, van der Wouden JC, Meiland FJM, de Groot AJ, Jansma EP, Hertogh CMPM, Smit EB. Effectiveness and characteristics of physical fitness training on aerobic fitness in vulnerable older adults: an umbrella review of systematic reviews. BMJ Open. 2022 May 31;12(5):e058056. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058056. PMID: 35641014; PMCID: PMC9157351.