Agents of Change: Understanding User Perspectives to Guide Inclusive Gym Practices

Authors

  • Fallon R. Mitchell Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor; Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation, University of Alberta https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4077-7028
  • Sean Horton Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor
  • Sara Scharoun Benson Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor; WE-SPARK Health Institute
  • Veronika Mogyorody School of Creative Arts, Visual Arts and the Built Environment, University of Windsor
  • Paula M. van Wyk Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor; WE-SPARK Health Institute https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8452-5303

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v18i2.868

Keywords:

Call to Action, Disability, Fitness Facilities, Accessibility, Unviersal Design, Lived Experience, Social Ecological Model, Interviews, Reflexive Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Background: Gyms are a site for exercise that are of interest to people with and without a disability. Ensuring gyms are accessible and inclusive may facilitate long-term health and well-being as individuals’ abilities change across the lifespan. Yet, fitness providers often fail to consider the needs of people with a disability in gyms. Understanding diverse users’ experiences with gym-based exercise may inform decision-makers of resources, partnerships, and actions that can improve accessibility and inclusion. Purpose: This study aimed to understand users’ perspectives of organizational, community, and policy factors that influence inclusive practices in gyms. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with diverse participants. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Thirty-five participants with (n = 13) and without a disability (n = 22) were interviewed. Three themes were generated: (1) Accessibility for All, (2) Acknowledging Challenges to Accessibility, and (3) Bridging Knowledge Gaps. Participants acknowledged disability as a universal experience, emphasizing that accessibility was needed, important, and beneficial to everyone. They also identified challenges to practicing inclusion in gyms, such as cost of equipment and limited knowledge of disability. Conclusion: Five calls to action were derived from participants’ insights. The calls to action illustrated a need to develop and support (e.g., fund, enforce) accessibility standards for gyms, empower providers and staff to implement accessible practices, and collaborate with people who have a disability to develop sustainable, community-driven approaches that facilitate meaningful inclusion in gyms. Collective actions from users, organizations, communities, and policymakers may enable systemic change, transforming gyms into inclusive spaces.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

AODA Alliance. (2024, January 4). Second in series of CBC News reports on Ontario’s inaccessibility crisis addresses Ford Government’s failure to effectively enforce the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. https://www.aodaalliance.org/whats-new/second-in-series-of-cbc-news-reports-on-ontarios-inaccessibility-crisis-addresses-ford-governments-failure-to-effectively-enforce-the-accessibility-for-ontarians-with-disabilities-act/

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. (2024, April 12). Accessibility in all Ontario public buildings by 2030. https://aoda.ca/accessibility-in-all-ontario-public-buildings-by-2030/

Arbour-Nicitopoulos, K. P., & Martin Ginis, K. A. (2011). Universal accessibility of “accessible” fitness and recreational facilities for persons with mobility disabilities. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 28(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.28.1.1

Braun, V., Clarke, V., Hayfield, N., Davey, L., & Jenkinson, E. (2023). Doing reflexive thematic analysis. In S. Bager-Charleson & A. McBeath (Eds.), Supporting research in counselling and psychotherapy: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research (pp. 19–38). Springer.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Can I use TA? Should I use TA? Should I not use TA? Comparing reflexive thematic analysis and other pattern‐based qualitative analytic approaches. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 21(1), 37–47. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12360

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Brown, D. M. Y., Ross, T., Leo, J., Buliung, R. N., Shirazipour, C. H., Latimer-Cheung, A. E., & Arbour-Nicitopoulos, K. P. (2021). A scoping review of evidence-informed recommendations for designing inclusive playgrounds. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 2, 664595. https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2021.664595

Bumble, J. L., & Carter, E. W. (2021). Application of the World Café to disability issues: A systematic review. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 32(3), 193–203. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044207320949962

Butzer, J. F., Virva, R., Kozlowski, A. J., Cistaro, R., & Perry, M. L. (2021). Participation by design: Integrating a social ecological approach with universal design to increase participation and add value for consumers. Disability and Health Journal, 14(2), 101006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.101006

Canadian Human Rights Commission. (2025, February 6). About the Accessible Canada Act. https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/individuals/accessibility/about-accessible-canada-act

Centre for Excellence in universal design. (n.d.). About Universal Design. Retrieved April 11, 2025, from https://universaldesign.ie/about-universal-design

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Cunningham, C., O’Donoghue, G., Cosgrave, S., Sands, T., Leacy, B., Markievicz, I., Monaghan, A., & Shields, N. (2023). Gym staff perspectives on disability inclusion: A qualitative study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 45(3), 441–448. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2036826

Dolmage, J. (2017). Academic ableism: Disability and higher education. University of Michigan Press. https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.9708722

Easter Seals. (n.d.). Disability in Canada: Know the facts. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://easterseals.ca/en/disability-in-canada-facts-figures/

Giacobbi, P. R., Poczwardowski, A., & Hager, P. (2005). A pragmatic research philosophy for applied sport psychology. The Sport Psychologist, 19(1), 18–31. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.19.1.18

Giancarlo, A., Shannon, D., & Kobayashi, A. (2016). Intersecting Oppressions: African Nova Scotians with disabilities and possibilities arising from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Canadian Journal of Disability Studies, 5(2), 98–130. https://doi.org/10.15353/cjds.v5i2.274

Kitchin, P. J., Peile, C., & Lowther, J. (2019). Mobilizing capacity to achieve the mainstreaming of disability sport. Managing Sport and Leisure, 24(6), 424–444. https://doi.org/10.1080/23750472.2019.1684839

Lesch, L., Wicker, P., & Gröben, B. (2025). Exploring the inclusion of people with disabilities in gyms: Organizational capacity needs. German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research, 55(1), 77–84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-024-00973-3

Martin Ginis, K. A., Ma, J. K., Latimer-Cheung, A. E., & Rimmer, J. H. (2016). A systematic review of review articles addressing factors related to physical activity participation among children and adults with physical disabilities. Health Psychology Review, 10(4), 478–494. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2016.1198240

McConnell, K., McFeeters, C., Marley, J., Crawford, A., & Pedlow, K. (2025). A co-designed mixed methods study on community-based gym exercise for non-ambulant adults with childhood-onset disability. Disability and Rehabilitation, 47(2), 378–386. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2346628

McKenzie, G., Kennedy, R. A., Willis, C., & Shields, N. (2025). Industry perspectives on the implementation of social support for young adults with disability in community gyms: A qualitative study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 47(16), 4106–4115. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2440136

McLeroy, K. R., Bibeau, D., Steckler, A., & Glanz, K. (1988). An ecological perspective on health promotion programs. Health Education Quarterly, 15(4), 351–377. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019818801500401

Mitchell, F. R., Horton, S., Scharoun Benson, S., Mogyorody, V., & van Wyk, P. M. (2025). Comparing performance and experience in a conventional and accessible gym: a mixed methods study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2025.2544946

Moore, A., Boyle, B., & Lynch, H. (2023). Designing public playgrounds for inclusion: A scoping review of grey literature guidelines for universal design. Children’s Geographies, 21(3), 422–441. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2022.2073197

Nocera, V. G., Taverno Ross, S. E., & Hasson, R. E. (2022). Equality- versus equity-based approaches to promoting health and fitness in diverse populations. ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal, 26(1), 5–9. https://doi.org/10.1249/FIT.0000000000000724

Richardson, E. V., Smith, B., & Papathomas, A. (2017). Crossing boundaries: The perceived impact of disabled fitness instructors in the gym. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 29, 84–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2016.12.006

Rimmer, J. H. (2012). Getting beyond the plateau: Bridging the gap between rehabilitation and community-based exercise. PM&R: The Journal of Injury, Function, and Rehabilitation, 4(11), 857–861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2012.08.008

Rimmer, J. H., & Marques, A. C. (2012). Physical activity for people with disabilities. The Lancet, 380(9838), 193–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61028-9

Rimmer, J. H., Padalabalanarayanan, S., Malone, L. A., & Mehta, T. (2017). Fitness facilities still lack accessibility for people with disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 10(2), 214–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.12.011

Rivera, E., Smith, C., & Hesketh, K. D. (2024). Priority populations’ experiences of the accessibility and inclusion of recreation centres: A qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 205. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17595-3

Sharon-David, H., Siekanska, M., & Tenenbaum, G. (2021). Are gyms fit for all? A scoping review of the barriers and facilitators to gym-based exercise participation experienced by people with physical disabilities. Performance Enhancement & Health, 9(1), 100170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2020.100170

Simplican, S. C., Leader, G., Kosciulek, J., & Leahy, M. (2015). Defining social inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: An ecological model of social networks and community participation. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 38, 18–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2014.10.008

Staeger-Wilson, K., Barnett, C., Mahoney, S., & Sampson, D. H. (2012). Planning for an inclusive campus recreation facility and program. Recreational Sports Journal, 36(1), 37–44. https://doi.org/10.1123/rsj.36.1.37

Steinfeld, E., & Maisel, J. (2012). Practicing universal design. In Universal design: Creating inclusive environments (pp. 67–93). John Wiley & Sons.

Trainor, L. R., & Bundon, A. (2021). Developing the craft: Reflexive accounts of doing reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 13(5), 705-726. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2020.1840423

Vasileiou, K., Barnett, J., Thorpe, S., & Young, T. (2018). Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: Systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15-year period. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18(1), 148. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0594-7

World Health Organization. (2018). Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030: More Active People for a Healthier World. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/272722/9789241514187-eng.pdf

Yi, E., Jeon, S.-W., & Oh, A. (2022). Development of evaluation indicators for sports facilities for people with disabilities considering the universal design: Focusing on the Republic of Korea. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 10(11), 2115 https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10112151

Downloads

Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

Mitchell, F. R., Horton, S., Scharoun Benson, S., Mogyorody, V., & van Wyk, P. M. (2025). Agents of Change: Understanding User Perspectives to Guide Inclusive Gym Practices. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 18(2), 3–19. https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v18i2.868

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2025)

Section

ARTICLES

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Fallon R. Mitchell, Sean Horton, Sara Scharoun Benson, Veronika Mogyorody, Paula M. van Wyk

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Terms of Publication

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  • Authors retain copyright and grant the Health & Fitness Journal of Canada’s right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  • Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  • Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
  • The Contributor (author(s)) represents and guarantees that the Contributor is the sole proprietor of the work and the Contributor has full power to make this Agreement and grant that the work does not infringe the copyright or other proprietary right of any other person; and the work contains no libellous or other unlawful matter and makes no improper invasion of the privacy of any other person. The Contributor also represents and is responsible for the accuracy of the work.
  • The Contributor will read, correct, and return promptly galleys and page proofs to the Editor (or designate). The Contributor will be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of these corrections. If the Contributor does not return galleys and page proofs within the schedule agreed upon with the Editor (or designate), the Publisher may proceed without the Contributor corrections.
  • When applicable, the Contributor agrees to obtain written permissions and letters of agreement for all matter contained in the work that is protected by existing copyright, paying any permission fees for the use of text or illustrations controlled by others, and furnishing the Publisher with written evidence of the copyright owner’s authorization to use the material.
  • When applicable, the Contributor agrees to obtain written permission for inclusion of any photographic materials involving a human subject, and provide the Publisher with written evidence of the subject’s authorization to use this material. In the case of subjects who have not reached the age of majority, the Contributor agrees to obtain and furnish the Publisher with written permission from the parent and/or legal guardian.
  • The Contributor may draw on and refer to material in the work in preparing other articles for publication in scholarly and professional journals and papers for delivery at professional meetings, provided that credit is given to the work and to the Publisher.
  • This agreement may not be changed unless the Contributor and the Publisher agree to the change by means of a formal addendum signed by the Contributor and the Publisher’s representative.
  • This agreement shall be construed and governed according to the laws of the province of British Columbia and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their heirs, successors, assigns, and personal representatives. Should any formal proceedings related to this agreement be brought, such formal proceeding may be brought only in the province of British Columbia.

By submitting an article to the Health & Fitness Journal of Canada the Contributor has accepted and agreed to all terms outlined in the copyright notice.

Funding data