More Than a Gym: How Community at Benefitness Elevates Total Wellness
Donna never thought she belonged in a gym. After all, doctors had spent years telling her what she couldn’t do. But at Benefitness Adaptive Gym, she found something different—encouragement instead of limitations, possibilities instead of barriers, and most importantly, a community that wouldn’t let her give up.
“At first, I had to prove to myself I could do it. But then, it became about the people,” Donna says. “Here, there’s no such thing as ‘can’t.’ It might take us longer, but we get there.”
Benefitness isn’t just about exercise—it’s about connection, support, and the power of people lifting each other up. For members like Donna, it’s proof that community is just as essential to wellness as movement itself.
“No matter how I feel coming in, when I’m here I always have a smile on my face”
Studies show that a positive community and supportive peer group is essential to total health and wellness. Benefitness is more than a gym, it’s a community that lifts each other while you get essential movement in. Members often feel the mental impact just as much as the physical.
Starting off as a member interested in boxing, Donna quickly found her place through staff encouragement and a deep sense of community and wanted to give back through volunteering.
Like many members, Donna wanted to first prove to herself that she can do the things she wants to do without the limitations she felt her doctors were putting on her. This determination gave her the courage to show up to Benefitness. What kept her coming back was the cheers from her community.
Many members at Benefitness feel the support of the community which leads to consistency. There is no ‘can’t’ or perceived limitation. The staff and members celebrate your successes and support you through the bad days.
“No one is thinking less of you because you walk with a cane. Everything is positive, even if you’re boxing with one hand,” Donna reflects, “People ask about each other and everyone seems to actually care about one another”.
When you take a class at Benefitness, you see members helping each other, coaches chatting to participants about weekend plans, and staff creating a welcoming environment, so everyone feels ready to workout. While traditional fitness spaces often lack a sense of community, Benefitness excels in creating a supportive environment so every body is capable of success.
Exercise is more than just losing weight. Regardless of the journey, movement is a way to care for your body, increase mobility, ease pain, and have a greater quality of life. Fitness is to feel good, and consistency is a crucial part of the program.
Donna often jokes with her friends that she has so much fun at the gym, and will break a sweat while she was at it.
As a natural caregiver, Donna seamlessly stepped into a volunteering role, deepening her role in the Benefitness community. Her consistent willingness to show up, for herself and others, is a true example of the power of community.
Throughout the duration of her time, Donna has significantly improved her own physical and mental health and disproved what doctors told her she couldn’t do. She’s had the joy of watching others gain control over their wellness and happily shares success stories to motivate those around her. Everyone wants to see each other improve their physical fitness and feel stronger, better, and more joyful.
Benefitness is a place where people come for fitness but stay for friendship. Donna puts it best stating Benefitness is “a community of people who care about you and each other that happens to also be a gym”.
If you are interested in being part of the Benefitness community, take a free intro class or call for a tour!
