Plans for Year 4 😯

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I’ve been reflecting on our amazing Year 3 impact (see below) and thinking lots about our exciting Year 4 of Out Fitness. I have two main goals that I’d love your help achieving!

Goal: More time and space

  • We’re taking on a third room on our floor. I’m planning to move some of our aerobic equipment into this room, which would free up our largest room to finally allow group classes again! Or is there some other way you would arrange our three rooms?
  • We can create more schedule availability by sharing time among Partners. I’d like to add a booking option for you to allow one other Partner to also book during your time. I think three rooms is enough space for two Partners to share, and I’ll set up a digital display so you’ll know upon arrival if anyone else is joining you. This would always be optional. Would you use this option, or do you have other suggestions?
  • We also have a small office to share if you need to do some work before/after your workout!

Goal: More of a collective

  • I’m looking for more volunteers to help me run the studio – let me know if you’re interested in contributing your talents. I’ll also do better at sharing tasks that need completing.
  • I’m looking for more certified personal trainers who are experienced with serving the LGBTQ+ community. Our studio has people who would pay you for your services!
  • Sparking more interpersonal connections in our community is extremely important to me. I have volunteer tasks that could help with this, like planning coffee meet-ups. I also think that Partners sharing studio time, like mentioned above, and the return of group classes could really strengthen our community.

Year 3 impact :flexed_biceps:

We had a record 1,900 workouts in Year 3 (for Oct. 2024 - Sept. 2025, up from 1,600 workouts the previous year). Most days have 6+ people coming to the studio to work out. Incredible!

Our studio has served 300+ people since we began in Oct. 2022. I never dreamed that this many people would try exercising at our queer little space.

We donated $250 to Cleveland LGBTQ+ charities – the first year we’ve ever been able to give away funds. Thanks for celebrating Pride Month with me in this way!

We have 37 Partners currently supporting Out Fitness monthly (and if you’re not, become a Partner here). THANK YOU for keeping us going strong: Matty, Matthew, Christine, Eric, Alyssa, Ryan, Josiah, Justin, Christine, Raven, Charlie Fae, Margot, Rhonda, Kyle, Sariya, Leslie, Joshua, Katherine, Kevin, Vincent, Alexis, Sage, Sierra, Leopold, Jordan, Takuya, Matthew, Pooja, Danielle, Sue, Autumn, Jennifer, Demetrius, Joe, Catherine, Eoin, Anton

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Incredible news, JJ. Super happy for you and the “queer little space” that we all get to share! Regarding the third room and introducing scheduling for multiple people, I am supportive and like the idea of expanding access for people. The challenge is probably figuring out how people typically use the space and what type of bifurcation makes sense? I only use the strength equipment, so if you had the aerobic equipment in another room, I would only ever reserve the strength area, but obviously everyone is different. I appreciate that you’re thinking about how to make the space better and more accessible!

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:grin: Thanks Eric! And there was a period of time when we offered separate reservations for the Strength room and Cardio room, but practically everyone chose only the Strength room. What if I put a mirror and bench in the blue room, would you take dumbbells/kettlebells over there for some exercises, to work around another person? Or would you opt out to ensure you had the entire strength room (which is a perfectly valid preference)?

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I think part of what makes the place special is the privacy. It’s hard to explain, but when you go, the experience is predictable and relaxing. I think if different people were there and you wouldn’t know in advance, the space loses that appeal somewhat. I assume our community is full of awesome people, and meeting them could be nice, but just from my perspective, it would change the experience in an uncertain way.

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Yes that makes sense to me, the predictability is really important! Thanks! So this will definitely stay optional, but maybe I’ll also try separate room bookings instead or in addition.

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An amazing three years it has been! For me, the most key feature of OUT membership is knowing I have the space to myself, so I would like that to continue.

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Thanks Ryan and I definitely appreciate that coming from an original supporter like you! :blush: