Creating Welcoming Fitness Environments for People with Disabilities
Creating welcoming fitness environments benefits everyone. A new international research report highlights how fitness businesses can improve accessibility, strengthen inclusion and create better experiences for people with disabilities.
AUSactive is proud to share Creating Welcoming Fitness Environments, a new report by disability inclusion advocate and Churchill Fellow Marina Logacheva. The report explores practical ways exercise businesses, leisure centres and industry leaders can create more inclusive spaces where people with disabilities feel welcome, supported and confident to participate.
International Research Supporting Disability Inclusion in Fitness
Based in the United Kingdom, Marina Logacheva contacted AUSactive General Manager Industry Advancement, Chris Alexander, before travelling to Australia as part of her Churchill Fellowship research.
During her visit, Marina attended the Disability and Inclusion in Leisure Forum, met with industry leaders, visited AUSactive member facilities and connected with organisations working across the fitness, leisure and disability sectors.
These experiences provided valuable Australian insights that contributed to the final report.
What the Report Reveals About Creating Welcoming Fitness Environments
The report, Creating Welcoming Fitness Environments, combines lived experience, academic research, interviews and case studies from Australia and overseas.
Importantly, the report explains that creating welcoming fitness environments involves much more than meeting accessibility standards.
Instead, truly inclusive organisations focus on every stage of the customer journey by improving:
- Accessibility
- Staff capability
- Inclusive communication
- Customer experience
- Organisational culture
As a result, fitness businesses can support greater participation while also reaching a significant and often underserved community.
Practical Examples of Inclusive Fitness in Action
The report showcases real examples from gyms, aquatic centres, leisure facilities and industry programs across Australia.
These case studies demonstrate how practical improvements can make exercise more accessible for people with disabilities.
Importantly, AUSactive's All ABILITIES program is featured as one of the Australian case studies.
The report highlights how education, partnerships and inclusive exercise delivery can build confidence while creating long-term participation opportunities for people with disabilities.
Practical Resources for Fitness Businesses
In addition to research findings, the report includes practical tools that fitness businesses can apply immediately.
These resources include:
- Accessibility audit tools
- Inclusive communication guidance
- Customer experience recommendations
- Australian and international case studies
- Practical recommendations for improving inclusion
Together, these resources help organisations create welcoming fitness environments that support every participant.
Why Creating Welcoming Fitness Environments Matters
One of the strongest messages throughout the report is that inclusion benefits everyone.
Small improvements can make a meaningful difference.
For example, improving communication, investing in staff education, reviewing facility design and creating a more inclusive culture can all increase confidence, participation and belonging.
Ultimately, creating welcoming fitness environments helps people with disabilities feel supported while strengthening communities and growing participation across the fitness industry.
Download the Report
Ready to learn more?
Download the full Creating Welcoming Fitness Environments report to explore the research, practical recommendations and case studies that are helping shape a more inclusive fitness industry.
Upskill with AUSactive
If you're ready to put these ideas into practice, AUSactive's Creating Exercise Opportunities for People with Disability course is a great place to start.
This practical online course is designed for:
- Health and fitness business owners
- Facility managers
- Exercise professionals
- Personal trainers
- Group exercise instructors
The course helps participants build more inclusive and accessible exercise environments.
Members can access the course free of charge, and it also provides 1 CPD point.
