Pride Month Gym Spotlight: The Queer Gym in Oakland, California

It’s time for a gym spotlight! This Pride Month, we’re highlighting all the accomplishments of The Queer Gym in Oakland, California, a fitness space dedicated to making the LGBTQ+ community feel safe, supported, and included on their fitness and wellness journey. 

The story behind The Queer Gym

The Queer Gym, which is a Wellhub partner, opened in 2010 with a mission to support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Nathalie Huerta, the founder and CEO, created the gym after working in the fitness industry (she’s a college basketball athlete turned personal trainer) and recognizing the need for a more inclusive place for people to reach their fitness and wellness goals. With The Queer Gym, “Coach Nat” aimed to create a gym where the LGBTQ+ community felt safe and supported, not only while working out, but also in locker rooms and other fitness spaces.

The Queer Gym is queer-owned with queer members and trainers (allies are welcome, too). And this Pride Month marks the gym’s 10-year anniversary!

Photo by Kane Andrade

What to expect

You can dive into fitness classes, nutrition guidance, and personal training at The Queer Gym. During the pandemic, the gym went digital and now offers live-streamed classes, digital member check-ins, and online social events like “Digital Drag Brunch.”

The gym has tailored all of its services to support its LGBTQ+ members. You can expect things like gender neutral bathrooms, opportunities to share your preferred pronouns, and a lack of mirrors to help anyone struggling with body dysmorphia. The gym also offers support and training specifically for clients preparing for gender confirmation surgery.

Going beyond the gym

Outside of the training and workout sessions, the gym regularly hosts fundraisers to help members of the LGBTQ+ community. It also puts on events and plans trips so members can interact and engage with each other and feel safe doing so.

In many ways, The Queer Gym is more than a gym. It’s a community dedicated to visibility, inclusion, and celebration. Happy anniversary and Happy Pride Month!

Wellhub is a fitness app available through companies like yours. Enroll now to try our live-streamed classes, our digital wellness platform, and our 1-on-1 virtual personal training feature. If your company offers Wellhub, sign up now for free.

Feature image courtesy of The Queer Gym