Today I read an thought-provoking post by Ilya Parker, founder of Decolonizing Fitness. They offer 6 ideas for gyms as potential hubs for political change. Of course, Out Fitness is inherently political, because we’re prioritizing affordability and safety for queer people, but I’m curious whether anyone else is interested in additional actions! For Ilya’s list below, I would need volunteer help to put any of the ideas into action, beyond the “swap shelf / library” that we already have going.
Ilya publishes posts, including the one below, on their Patreon, because that is a safer space for them compared to social media. (See their thoughts on divesting from Meta’s platforms.) I recommend you join their Patreon if you can!
Gyms as Hubs for Political Education and Collective Action
Ilya Parker, 3 days ago on Patreon
As things feel as though they are continuing to unravel I want to illuminate that our physical and virtual gym spaces are sites of connection, resilience, and transformation. In moments of crisis and collective struggle, many of these spaces offer care and solidarity. From providing shelter and restrooms for local community, spaces to grieve, and mobilize against these ongoing genocides, mask distribution hubs and to organize mutual aid efforts in the wake of climate catastrophes. Our movement spaces offer the power to evoke deep, community-rooted change.
As we continue to navigate this brutal regime, it’s critical to ask: How can our movement spaces serve as support hubs and catalysts for collective liberation?
One powerful way in deepening our political education is a reading group as it can serve as a crucial entry point for folks who want to plug into justice work but don’t know where to start.
Reading groups offers a container for learning with and from each other, engaging in meaningful discussions, and building collective action. Too often, the sheer number of crises unfolding around us can feel overwhelming, leaving us unsure of where to direct our energy. A reading group helps us move with intention, anchoring ourselves in knowledge and solidarity rather than reactionary urgency.
By exchanging knowledge and resources, we build something that sustains and empowers us all. A movement space that embraces political education, allows us to engage deeply with the world, to strategize, and to create a community rooted in care and collective. Whether through monthly reading discussions, resource-sharing, or direct action planning, we have the power. The work starts with us, right now where we are.
Here are a few ways to begin:
- If you have a physical gym space, add a free library. Dedicate a small shelf or corner for books, zines, and articles related to political education, body sovereignty, and community care. Encourage members to borrow, donate, and discuss the readings.
- Host a monthly virtual book club. Choose a book or a set of articles related to abolition, disability justice, or mutual aid. Create a flexible discussion format that allows participants to engage deeply while balancing their schedules.
- Incorporate reading discussions into movement classes. Start or end a class with a short reading, reflection, or prompt. This could be a passage from a book, an article, or a community-sourced piece that sparks discussion on how movement intersects with larger social and political issues.
- Create a reading & movement series. Pair physical practice with learning by dedicating a class or workshop to a particular theme, such as: “Fat Liberation” or “Decolonial Approaches in Movement.” Discuss a reading before or after engaging in movement to connect theory with embodied practice.
- Facilitate a study group in your gym or studio. Set up a recurring in-person or virtual gathering where folks can read and discuss together. It could be a weekly, biweekly or monthly meeting where participants take turns leading discussions.
- Host community screenings & discussions. If reading feels inaccessible to some, consider showing a short documentary or recorded talk on topics like trans advocacy, labor rights, or healing justice, followed by a conversation.
- Use gym newsletters or social media to highlight readings. Feature a “reading of the month” and invite your community to engage with the material through comments or a dedicated discussion thread.
Resources
You can browse my curated collection online through my Bookshop, where I’ve gathered books that inspire critical thinking, collective learning, and movement-building. These selections are great starting points for your reading group, offering insights into body politics and liberation, examining the fitness and wellness industries, and community organizing.
Via the Organizing My Thoughts Blog: “political educator David Kaib will be hosting reading group trainings in the coming months. You can sign up to learn more here.”
Considering this current political moment check out my recent article The Influx of White Christian Nationalism in Fitness Spaces