Reaffirming Our Dedication to A Gender Inclusive Space

Here at R3VIVE fitness we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for all our members regardless of race, gender, sexuality, body type, and fitness level. Inclusivity has been a core value since the opening of our gym in 2019, and we would like to re-emphasize our commitment to maintaining a safe and supportive space for everyone. Any behavior that is discriminatory towards other members will not be tolerated. Today, we want to discuss our commitment to gender inclusivity.

Why Gender Inclusivity Matters

Traditional gym cultures often reinforce binary gender norms (male/female), which can alienate those that identify as queer, trans, non-binary, and/or gender-nonconforming. At R3VIVE, we believe that fitness is for everyone. We want every person to feel a sense of safety and belonging in our space. We recognize that every person has their own unique motivations or personal fitness goals and we want to help you reach them. No matter how you identify, we want you to feel affirmed and supported by coaches, staff, and fellow members. By adopting inclusive gender language and practices, we want to ensure that our space is welcoming for everyone.

In order to achieve our culture of inclusivity, we are committed to continuous staff learning and growth through educational workshops and collaboration with subject experts, but it’s a topic that requires the involvement of everyone, not just the R3VIVE staff. We are asking that our community grow with us as well. 

Let’s continue this discussion:

Understanding Gender and Language

Gender-neutral language means acknowledging the expansiveness of gender beyond the binary of male/female and avoiding the use of words or phrases that assume and reinforce a gender binary.  In many cultures throughout our history, more than two genders are acknowledged (two spirit, third gender, etc.) and gender is honored as a spectrum. Binarily gendered terms like “he/she”  or “man/woman” often exclude those that identify as trans non-binary, gender fluid, and/or gender non-conforming. Unlike “cis”-gendered people, “Trans” people do not identify with the gender that they were assigned at birth. Some people transition genders throughout their life, may express their gender in non-conventional ways, and/or may currently be on a gender exploration journey. We cannot assume someone’s gender based on our perception of their physical features, clothing, or other gender expression–in the same way we cannot guess someone’s name or ethnic origins by looking at them. 

It is best practice to ask someone’s gender pronouns so that we know how they would like to be referred to in the third-person, in the same way one would ask someone’s name. If you haven’t had a chance to ask or you are not confident on their pronouns, using “they/them/their” is a more inclusive way of referring to someonee, instead of risking misgendering them. We already use “they” as gender neutral language to refer to a singlar person in our day to day. For example, “Did someone leave their phone here?”.. This practice of gender neutral language will benefit everyone, not just trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people. For example, in gyms, gendered language like “ladies” or “guys” when referring to a group can reinforce harmful stereotypes. Let us foster a culture of respect and belonging for everyone. 

Implementing Inclusive Language and Practices

• Use Gender-Neutral Terms: 

• • • Replace gendered terms like “guys” “ladies” “sir” or “ma’am” with gender neutral language such as “everyone,” “folks,” “yall” “friends” or “athletes.” This small shift can go a long way in creating a more welcoming environment.
    • This is not always an easy adjustment to make given that terms such as these are so heavily ingrained in our language. If you make a mistake and notice, simply correct yourself and move on. If you do not catch your mistake, someone else may politely correct you.

• Ask for Pronouns: 

• • • Avoid making assumptions about someone’s gender identity. Ask for and use people’s preferred pronouns. If you do not know their preferred pronouns or cannot remember, simply use “they/them.” 

• Respecting Privacy:
  • • Some people may be curious about what it means to be LGBTQIA+ and might want to ask questions. However, like anyone else, they value their privacy. Unless you have a personal relationship with them, avoid asking personal questions that might interrupt someone’s workout to answer your own personal curiosity. Let’s respect each others’ privacy and boundaries.

By embracing these practices, we challenge stereotypes and ensure that R3VIVE is a welcoming space for all.

Our Ongoing Commitment

Creating a truly inclusive space requires continuous learning and growth. We’re dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive environment for our community and to do so our team is committed to:

• Participating in educational workshops.
• Collaborating with experts to improve our practices.
• Encouraging open conversations with our community.

We ask for your support in fostering a culture of respect and belonging. Together, let’s cultivate a fitness space and community that provides a sanctuary and sense of belonging for all.