FUNctional Fitness: An Accessible Space for All Fitness Levels

Stepping into a gym can feel overwhelming, intimidating, or even isolating—but Quest Center’s Functional Fitness group offers FSR/TRI/LINK, and WISH participants a welcoming space where you can explore movement that feels right for your body, no matter your fitness level or physical ability, with a focus on connection and empowerment.

Functional Fitness Group takes place Tuesdays at 1:30 pm at Eastside Kettlebell Collective, a women-owned/run gym that caters towards women and LGBTQIA2S+ communities to create a more comfortable space than many traditional gyms. The group is not centered around weight-loss or appearance; instead, it provides space for folx to build power, strength, and confidence through diverse methods of movement. The building is ADA accessible, and the class offers modifications, including modifications for people who use wheelchairs.

“We want people to feel like this is a safe space for them, primarily for people who don’t feel safe in most of the rest of the World, particularly in gyms.” said Eastside Kettlebell Collective co-owner Eloise Hoatlin. “Gyms are historically pretty toxic environments, especially for people who are women, queer, trans*. Gyms can be a really scary and unsafe space for a lot of people. There can be fear of being judged, fear of being judged at the gym for people in larger bodies, people of color also don’t often get represented in gyms. We wanted a space here where you come in and see the big pink wall, our flag, you see our trainers all identify as women and you come in and see this is a space where I can feel safe. We want it to feel safe for people who’ve never even looked at gym equipment before. That’s okay, you’re here to learn. We try to make it an environment of openness.”

Click here to read a full spotlight on EKC owner and instructor Eloise.

I had the pleasure of catching up with Jason, a regular attendee who has been delighted to find community in an environment he hadn’t previously considered approachable: the gym.

Jason, pictured above wearing a tie-dye tee and admiring a red apple.

Jason had been to outpatient substance-use treatment a handful of times before, and it never quite stuck or felt quite right. That is, until he found Quest.

“I‘ve done treatments and outpatients several times and I’ve never gotten as much value out of anything as I have out of Quest. I love Quest!” said Jason.

When I asked Jason what felt different about Quest Center’s approach from other outpatient programs, he remarked that many other programs he had experience with were single-noted in their approach.

“All of my experiences before have been like ‘this is how you do recovery, this is how you have to do it, and if you don’t do it this way you’re gonna end up dead or relapsing.” That never worked for me. Everyone at Quest- clients, counselors, everyone I’ve come across are very open-minded people and everyone here seems to understand that there’s not one right way. I’ve been supported in the things that I think, and it’s like, Oh! I’m not the only one! I’m not doing it wrong or just being a rebel, I’m just finding my own way, and I’ve been completely supported in that.”

As someone who never really resonated with the traditional gym space, Functional Fitness group wasn’t the first thing that popped out at Jason when it came to groups he was interested to participate in.

“So, to be honest I first joined functional fitness for the incentive program. I was like oh, great! Fred Meyer gift card! I have a wife and one kid still at home. I don’t really consider us poor because we have everything we could ever need, but we live well below the poverty line, so money is tight for us. I’m like Oh! Awesome! We can get gas with these cards, this is helpful. 

I got there and I knew Eloise from a recovery running group that I used to do, so it was a nice surprise to see her there. I’m beyond the incentive points now. I don’t get anymore incentive points for going but I still go because it’s just such a welcoming environment to be in.”

Years working as a contractor and carpenter had contributed to some injuries for Jason, so working out in a gym seemed intimidating at first.

“I have torn ligaments in my wrist, a disease in my back, and an old knee injury that plagues me, so when I go to do these workouts, there’s a lot of stuff I can’t do because of my injuries, but Eloise is so good at modifying the exercises so that I can feel great doing them. It’s been a fantastic experience for me.”

We are so happy to hear that Jason has found community and support here at Quest Center and through FUNctional Fitness. Thank you for sharing your experience with us Jason!