Club Industry's series on diversity, equity and inclusion is brought to you in collaboration with BLAQUE.
Club industry has committed to helping to move forward the discussion on diversity, equity and inclusion in the fitness industry. During the next several months, we will add videos and stories on the topic, many of which will be produced by people of color in the industry. Make sure to check back here on a regular basis as more content is added.
Diversity, Equity And Inclusion In The Fitness Industry
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion: The Time Is Now (Introduction to the series)
4 Ways The Fitness Industry Can Engage In True Allyship by T'Nisha Symone, founder, BLAQUE
It’s Your Turn To Be Part Of Club Industry’s Series On Diversity, Equity And Inclusion
Addressing Racism In The Fitness Industry Requires Understanding Its Roots by Rodney J. Morris, Workplace Culture Workout, and Pamela Kufahl, Club Industry
Profiles
People of color share their first-person narrative about their experiences in the fitness industry.
Microaggressions And Me: The Realizations Of A Black Fitness Professional by Carlos Davila, diversity officer, Fhitting Room
From Pain To Power Through Movement And Exercise by Ianthe Mellors, head of fitness and dance at FitXR
Open The Doors: In Fitness, I’m Often The Only Black Person In The Room by Dr. Antonio Williams, associate professor and associate department chair in the Indiana University School of Public Health
‘Dream Job’ Shines Light On Fitness Industry Inequities, Leads To New Dream by Venus Davis, founder, The Strong Academy
The Intersection Of Obesity, COVID-19, Social Justice And Mental Health by Anthony Wilkins, co-owner, Alloy Personal Training for Women
Studio Owner's Mission Is To Reveal The Truth About Health To Latinx Community by Nate Feliciano, owner and head trainer, Studio 16
DEI Efforts Should Include Neurologically Impaired People by Hal Hargrave, president and CEO, The Perfect Step, and Ashton Wray, director of education and staff development, The Perfect Step
Couple Creates a Safe Space in Fitness for LGBTQ+ Community by Jorge Avalos, CycleBar franchisee
Video Presentations on DEI Efforts in the Fitness Industry
The Business Case for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (November 2020)
East Bank Club And VIDA Fitness: Two Health Club Brands Share Their Diversity Efforts (March 2021)
The Bay Club Company Speaks Out About Its Diversity Efforts (March 2021)
How to Create an Inclusive Business Model (June 2021)
The XX Factor: Why You Need Women in Your Executive Ranks (June 2021)
Hear Our Voices
Members of the fitness community respond to questions about the impact that systemic racism and the lack of diversity, equity and inclusion has on people of color. The first questions get the perspectives of the Black fitness community. Future questions will share insights from other people of color within the industry.
Hear Our Voices: Speaking To The Fitness Industry’s Inclusivity Problem
Hear Our Voices: The Impact Of Systemic Racism On The Fitness Industry
Hear Our Voices: The Personal Impact Of Systemic Racism On Fitness Professionals
Hear Our Voices: Weighing In On Health Club Diversity Efforts
Hear Our Voices: Actions White People Can Take To Dismantle Racism In The Fitness Industry
Hear Our Voices: Stop Contemplating And Start Your Diversity Efforts
Fitness Companies With Diversity Initiatives
All In: ACE Works To Influence Systemic Change For Greater Diversity - American Council on Exercise
All In: Les Mills Works For Change For Group Fitness Leaders - Les Mills
CorePower Yoga Focuses on Democratizing Yoga - CorePower Yoga
VIDA Fitness: Corporate DEI That You Can Touch and Feel - VIDA Fitness
Chuze Fitness Is about All People; Fitness Is Its Vehicle - Chuze Fitness
Initiatives From Other Industry Sources
BLAQUE - A Gym, Digital Platform and Outdoor Pop-ups for the Black community
Command of Fitness Collective - Including Black Girl Pilates and Melanin Brothers of Pilates
Decolonizing Fitness- A social justice platform that provides affirming fitness services, community education and apparel in support of body diversity.
Black Girls Breathing – Free virtual breath work sessions for Black women
Articles From Other Industry Sources
The 1619 Project – The New York Times
Black in the White World of Fitness: Race and Racism in Wellness- A conversation with Sonja Herbert
Every Day Racism in the Fitness Industry and Beyond- Chrissy King
The Cover Shoot that Brought Me Face to Face with Racism in the Wellness Industry- Nicole Cardoza
3 Fitness Instructors Explain What an Anti-Racist Industry Would Look Like-Kim Walker, Ilya Parker
3 Ways to Show Up for Your LGBTQ+ Members by The Kyles of Kyle House Fitness (from Mindbody's website)
They didn’t see me as innocent - Vox
Videos And Documentaries
13th (Netflix)
Webinars On Diversity From Other Industry Sources
Diversity and Inclusion 101: Taking an intersectional approach to wellness - Chrissy King ($79 fee)
Cultivating Community: Embracing Diversity & Inclusion In Your Wellness Business - Mindbody
Studies
Racial differences in weathering and its associations with psychosocial stress: The CARDIA study
Other Resources
The Business Case for Diversity – From Boutique Fitness Solutions