As we take the time to recognise this demographic, it’s important to think about how to make workplace fitness benefits more inclusive and accessible to marginalised employees. Regular exercise is important for physical health, mental wellbeing, community and connection, yet research shows that LGBT+ individuals often face specific barriers to participating in sports and fitness. It’s 2025: let’s all play a part in making fitness accessible to all.
What is LGBT+ History Month?
LGBT+ History Month is an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer history. If you’re not part of this community, it’s a chance to listen, learn, and become a better ally. In the workplace, it may be a good time to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the LGBT+ community and promote inclusion across workplace wellness and fitness initiatives.
Why might LGBT+ people face barriers to exercise or sport?
The relationship between the LGBT+ community and fitness spaces has historically been complex. According to research, one in eight LGBT+ people avoid going to the gym or participating in sports groups due to fear of discrimination and harassment. These concerns aren’t unfounded – negative experiences in school sports often carry through to adulthood, with 47% of LGBT+ individuals reporting finding sports culture intimidating or unwelcoming.
The underrepresentation of LGBT+ people in fitness and why this matters
Despite making up a growing percentage of the population (3.2% of people aged 16 and over in England and Wales identified as LGBT+ in 2021), the community remains underrepresented in fitness spaces, particularly in leadership roles. This lack of visible representation can make it harder for LGBT+ individuals to visualise themselves in fitness spaces, to set goals, and to make progress.
Bias, prejudice, and barriers to access
The fitness industry has traditionally operated within rigid gender binaries and heteronormative assumptions. These deeply ingrained biases can manifest in various ways that are damaging to your LGBT+ colleagues.
- For transgender individuals, changing facilities and gender-segregated spaces can present significant challenges
- Non-binary individuals often struggle with binary-gendered facilities and programs
- Gay men might face stereotyping or judgment in weight rooms
- Lesbian women might encounter uncomfortable assumptions in female-focused fitness classes
- Bisexual people may face erasure or misunderstanding of their identity
Key challenges across the LGBT+ spectrum
When you’re thinking about ways to encourage and support colleagues in accessing fitness benefits, it might help to put yourself in their shoes and consider the challenges they face in gyms, pools, and fitness facilities. The best way to do this, of course, is to ask and listen. But here are some common themes.
- Trans individuals often struggle with changing facilities, swimming pools, and gender-specific classes
- Gay men might experience stereotyping in certain fitness environments
- Lesbian women may face both gender-based and sexuality-based discrimination
- Non-binary individuals often find themselves excluded by binary-gendered programs and facilities
- Bisexual people might feel invisible or misunderstood in fitness spaces
- All groups may experience anxiety about displaying physical affection with partners in sports settings
Creating more inclusive fitness spaces
As an organisation, it’s not your job to create inclusive gyms, but it will help if you understand the features and facilities that LBGT+ colleagues might prefer. Here are some elements that would make fitness more welcoming:
- Gender-neutral changing facilities and bathrooms
- Staff trained on LGBT+ sensitivity and awareness
- Inclusive language in all communications
- LGBT+ specific programs and classes
- Clear anti-discrimination policies
- Partnering with LGBT+ organizations for guidance and support
How to reduce barriers and encourage engagement
As an employer, you can help all colleagues feel motivated to engage with fitness and fully embrace a healthier lifestyle in and out of the workplace. Rethink the language your organisation uses around gender, consider using gender-neutral terms in wellness communications, ask for and respect pronoun preferences, and include diverse representation in marketing materials.
Improve the inclusivity of your physical spaces – ensure people have access to private or gender-neutral changing facilities and make wellness spaces in the workplace welcoming through inclusive signage and imagery.
Creating inclusive fitness benefits for LGBT+ employees
The most successful inclusive fitness initiatives are those that combine clear policies with genuine cultural change. Start by listening to your LGBT+ employees about their needs and experiences, then take concrete actions to address barriers. With thoughtful planning and genuine commitment, workplace fitness benefits can become a powerful tool for promoting physical health and inclusivity.
Your choice of fitness benefits is an opportunity to send a clear signal about your stance on EDI. Make sure employees have the choice of places to workout – including LGBT+ friendly gyms and fitness providers. Offer flexible benefit options that accommodate different needs and avoid making people feel awkward for wanting something that’s not mainstream. Provide education about inclusive fitness spaces in your wellness comms, and create safe channels for feedback and concerns.
Support LGBT+ colleagues with inclusive fitness benefits
Inclusivity is a year-round commitment that will help all employees feel comfortable pursuing their fitness goals. By taking deliberate steps to make fitness benefits more inclusive, employers can support the physical and mental wellbeing of their LGBT+ employees.
Hussle’s flexible fitness benefits, which offer discounted access to thousands of different gyms, pools, and leisure centres around the UK, are an easy way to offer real choice.
Talk to our team to find out how Hussle’s popular fitness benefits can support you in building a more inclusive wellness offering – request a quote to find out more.
