Nestled in the heart of Denver’s Baker neighborhood, there’s a small but mighty queer gym: Chin Up Training. Here, fitness isn’t just about working up a sweat; it’s about creating a welcoming and inclusive space where everyone, regardless of their background or fitness level, can feel comfortable to be themselves. With a diverse team of trainers and specialists at the helm, Chin Up is all about helping you achieve your fitness goals, whatever they may be. What truly sets them apart is their commitment to the community. Offering donation-based classes ($10) that invite anyone and everyone to experience the magic of this queer gym, Chin Up is more than just a place to work out; it’s a place to belong. In this exclusive interview, we’ll dive deep into what makes Chin Up Personal Training a true gem in Denver’s fitness scene, and how they’re transforming the world of fitness, one chin up at a time.
Chin Up Training: Denver’s Queer Gym For Everyone
We interview Rachel the owner of Chin Up Training about what makes them different and how they intentionally make space for nonbinary, trans, and women at their gym. Rachel firmly belives that, ‘Open and respectful conversations are key to maintaining the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere we strive for at our gym.‘
GayDenver: Tell us a little about yourself.
Chin Up Training: They/them pronouns are preferred. I’ve been working as a personal trainer for approximately four years. I’ve always had this dream of owning a gym, even before I started personal training. And, well, I just decided to go for it! Haven;t regretted it a single day. Helping people grow and meet their goals is an amazing career.
GayDenver: How would you describe Chin Up Training?
Chin Up Training: I envision it primarily as a safe space, less about just being a gym and more about creating an environment where people genuinely feel comfortable, safe, and welcomed. In a nutshell, that’s how I want the space to feel. However, it is a gym, and our main focus is on classes. These classes range from low-impact sessions designed for improved mobility, catering to individuals with injuries, to higher-intensity lifting classes.
GayDenver: How did you come up with the name?
Chin Up Training: The name came from someone else. For me, it’s all about the love of wordplay, puns, and double entendres. “Chin Up” carries a meaning of resilience and positivity.
GayDenver: I see that you have open gym times, classes, and personal training available. Let’s start with the open gym.
Chin Up Training: The new program is scheduled to launch in January 2024, and it will be exclusive to our members. It’s similar to the open gym concept often seen in CrossFit gyms, where we will have designated open gym hours that people can sign up for. This ensures that there will always be staff present to maintain the gym’s cleanliness, offer a warm welcome, and assist with any exercise-related questions or inquiries about the facility. It’s a great opportunity for people to get to know us better during those times.
In an ideal scenario, I’d prefer if they attended a few classes first. It’s not about conducting formal interviews, but I do value maintaining the right vibe and overall atmosphere of the space. I want to make sure that everyone who becomes a member or joins the classes aligns with our values and is a good fit for the gym. It’s about ensuring that the community we’re building here resonates with the gym’s culture.
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GayDenver: How do the classes work?
Chin Up Training: Usually, people tend to follow this approach: our classes are donation-based, with a suggested donation of $10. Typically, attending classes with these donations can naturally lead to membership if individuals are coming a few times a week. It often works out that giving the suggested donation makes the membership more economical for them. So, in my ideal scenario, they would start by attending a couple of classes first.
I aimed to make it extremely accessible for everyone. I wanted people to have the opportunity to explore the space and the vibe without any pressure to commit to something right away. We also facilitate trades for those who might find the suggested $10 donation challenging. The key goal was to create a low-pressure and welcoming experience for everyone.
GayDenver: What one-on-one or specialized services do you offer?
Chin Up Training: I’m a personal trainer myself, and we’re fortunate to have some incredible personal trainers working at the gym. If possible, I’d like to highlight their expertise and contributions as well. We have a diverse group of personal trainers, each with their unique specialty and niche. Some take a holistic, all-encompassing approach, and others have their specific areas of expertise. I’m passionate about connecting these exceptional personal trainers with their ideal clients.
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GayDenver: What are some misconceptions of fitness or stigmas in the queer community?
Chin Up Training: One significant misconception that we encounter is the belief that activities like weightlifting are reserved for an elite few or those who grew up in athletic environments. There’s often a misconception that weightlifting isn’t beginner-friendly. However, we strongly believe that anyone can learn to lift, especially here, as we wholeheartedly welcome beginners into the world of weightlifting. Our team excels at working with beginners, making it an inclusive and accessible endeavor.
Additionally, there’s a misconception, particularly within our target audience of women and queer individuals, that activities like weightlifting were traditionally frowned upon or discouraged. Many women have not been encouraged to embrace weightlifting from an early age, in contrast to how it’s often more readily accepted for men. We aim to challenge these stereotypes and create an environment where everyone feels empowered to explore weightlifting, regardless of their background or prior experience. Just another day in the life of a local queer gym in Denver!
GayDenver: How does your gym prioritize the physical and mental well-being of its members, especially considering the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals may face in their fitness journeys?
Chin Up Training: Maintaining the overall vibe and atmosphere of a queer gym is a top priority. This involves being mindful and considerate, ensuring that newcomers have a couple of introductory classes before becoming members. It’s crucial to gauge each individual’s compatibility with the gym’s culture, creating a cohesive sense of safety rather than having random people coming in.
Take misgendering for example, it often stems from a lack of awareness rather than malicious intent. Engaging in conversations and providing basic education on how to be respectful of the queer community and individuals who are often marginalized is an essential part of our ethos.
It can be as simple as having these conversations and helping people understand the importance of respect and inclusivity. On the other hand, if someone consistently fails to respect others, I’m not hesitant to address the issue and, if necessary, inform them that our gym may not be the right fit. There are other gyms that I’m more than happy to recommend to individuals if it doesn’t align with our values.
In our classes, we place a strong emphasis on being beginner-friendly. We meet people at their current fitness levels, offering a patient and open approach. Education plays a significant role. We strive to provide information and guidance in various ways to foster an overall sense of safety and inclusivity.
GayDenver: Is there anything that you would like to say to the readers?
Chin Up Training: I try my best to be an approachable and friendly trainer, making it easy for individuals to work with me. Meeting people where they are is at the core of my training style and who I am as a person. There isn’t anything that I love more than helping people progress and achieve their goals.
For those who might be hesitant because they think this isn’t for them, I encourage them to give it a try. Come and meet us, trust us a bit, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve. In just the first class, people often surprise themselves by doing things they didn’t believe they could do moments before. It’s incredible to witness someone go from saying, “I can’t deadlift” to successfully deadlifting and realizing their newfound strength. This experience transforms what they once saw as something only for others into a personal accomplishment.
Author: Jeff Wilson
Jeff is one of the owners of GayDenver and one of its writers. He is a Denver transplant who loves the city and the proximity of the mountains. He is happily married to his husband and loves hiking with his furbaby Thayella.