The fitness industry often talks about inclusion, but what does it actually feel like to walk into a gym as a disabled person?
When I became a wheelchair user four years ago and returned to the gym for the first time after my life-changing accident, I realised just how different that experience was from before and I’m not alone – disabled people make up 24 per cent of the UK population.
That’s five times more than the number of vegans or plant-based eaters. But walk into any supermarket and staff will know exactly where the plant-based aisle is. There’s signage, shelf space and plenty of options. In contrast, most gym staff haven’t received any disability awareness training, and accessibility is often an afterthought.
Here’s another striking stat: the UK’s plant-based food market is worth £1.1bn. The spending power of disabled people is £274bn – commonly referred to as the Purple Pound.
Inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also a major business opportunity. Being inclusive opens doors to more members, builds loyalty and boosts profitability.
My advice? Start small — but start now. Assign someone in your team to take responsibility for inclusion. Review your customer journey. Make one change this month.
Inclusion is the future of fitness. And yes, it’s profitable too. Let’s build an industry that works (and works out) for everyone.
More: www.makeitmatta.com
