Finding a gym where you feel seen, safe, and supported can be tough, especially if youre queer or trans. Thankfully, more LGBTQ+ owned and affirming fitness spaces are stepping up to change that. These gyms arent just about lifting weights or hitting goals, theyre creating a culture of movement that welcomes every body. Here are a few of the standout spots across the country.Ironside head trainer, Priscilla Collings. Photo: IronsideIroncide (Upland, Calif.)Priscilla Collings is head trainer at this inclusive SoCal gym, where the mission is to bend barbells and beat mediocrity. While the gym specializes in strength and conditioning, mobility, powerlifting and bodybuilding, it also offers Kinstretch traininga popular flexibility and movement advancement program.OutBox Gym (Brooklyn, N.Y.)OutBox Gym is a queer- and trans-centered boxing and fitness studio offering a welcoming, beginner-friendly space for all bodies and identities. First-timers can get 50% off a class, plus a free Wednesday fitness session. Founded by LGBTQ+ coaches, OutBox focuses on boxing, kickboxing and strength training in small group classes and personal sessions, all while prioritizing safety, inclusivity and community.Gym goers cheer each other on at Ascent Fitness. Photo: Ascent Fitness Ascent Fitness (Tacoma, Wash)Empowering all humans to move with mindful joy, is the motto at this LGBTQ+-owned gym in Tacoma, right about 40 minutes outside of Seattle. Ascent hails itself as a fat-positive, anti-diet space that rejects harmful weight stigma and promotes body acceptance where fitness should be fun.Stonewall Self Defense (Salt Lake City, Utah)Sebastian Livingston is the force behind Stonewall Self Defense. The gay martial artist and tattoo artist is prioritizing LGBTQ+ safety through self-defense initiatives. Livingston also keeps prices approachable at $60 a month with unlimited classes Tuesday through Thursday.soFlys Pole dancing class. Photo: soFlysoFly social (Austin, Texas)Looking for dance- and aerial-focused fitness? soFly in Austin offers classes in pole dance, lyra, silks, hammock, flexibility, burlesque and more. Owned by Luki Charmz and Joannie Wu, both pole experts, the studios team of professionals can teach you to twerk, twirl and backbend your way to a killer workout.Body Arc (Richmond, Va.)Body Arc, Richmonds first queer-owned gym, is an inclusive fitness space that blends movement and art to support all bodies, especially those often excluded by traditional gyms. Centering queer, disabled, and marginalized communities, it offers a creative, welcoming environment that redefines strength and wellness on inclusive, accessible terms.Prism Moves (Portland, Ore.)This strength and conditioning nonprofit gym is located in Northeast Portland. Accessibility in all ways is key at this fitness organization, which offers sliding scale memberships and free weekly classes for BIPOC participants. Prism Moves also hosts LOUD & CUTE: a Pride Strongman Mini Camp, where participants can take part in an accessible strongman competition focused on powerlifting and Olympic style weight lifting.Soulcana Fitness (Minneapolis, Minn.)Soulcana Fitness focuses on accessible classes for the community, with affinity classes like Trans Strength and Fat Fitness, taught by those who share that lived experience. Beginners can find classes like [Em]Power Strength, where you can learn the basis of strength and conditioning in a judgement free environment. Or for a more personalized program, connect with one of Soulcanas LGBTQ+ or LGBTQ+-friendly personal trainers.Learning how to use sticks in combat art. Photo: Strange Fox Fighting ArtsStrange Fox Fighting Arts (Baltimore, Md.)Strange Fox specializes in bataireacht, a traditional Irish combat art utilizing walking sticks. The school holds classes in Baltimore, DC, and Philly and even online to best offer accessibility to those who want to learn the physical art. Strange Fox centers the LGBTQ+ community but all are welcome to learn bataireacht with Coach C.Han Training (Chicago, Ill.)This Chicago-based fitness spot was founded by head trainer and body neutrality activist Minky Kim. According to Kim, Han Training was built with revolution in mind; one built around inclusivity, for community, as a means to create an accessible space where folks can unlearn and relearn their own relationship to bodily autonomy without fear. Han offers classes in strength and mobility, with curated lessons for those looking to make serious gains or just get more comfortable in their own bodies.Do you train at an LGBTQ+-owned gym or fitness center? Let us know at newsisout@localmedia.org and well add them to the list.The post Queering the gym: Inclusive fitness spaces for every body appeared first on News Is Out.