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For most people, joining a gym is relatively simple. You find a location, sign up for a membership and start working toward your fitness goals.

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But for many people with developmental and physical disabilities, finding a fitness environment where they can comfortably and safely exercise isn't nearly as easy.

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That's the gap ZOOZ Fitness was created to fill.

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ZOOZ Fitness is an inclusive fitness facility dedicated to helping people with disabilities become more physically active while building confidence, independence and community. Founded by Jake Weiner more than a decade ago, ZOOZ started with a handful of personal training sessions in a local park. Today, it has grown into a thriving fitness community serving hundreds of athletes in the Los Angeles area.

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And the idea behind ZOOZ is simple: Everyone deserves the opportunity to move, exercise and feel like an athlete.

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“People with disabilities have limited access to exercise facilities and opportunities, and at the same time, they are disproportionately impacted by lack of movement,” Jake said. “After working with people with disabilities for years and seeing this reality, I was determined to change it.”

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Why ZOOZ Fitness Was Needed

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Jake spent years working with people with disabilities in settings ranging from summer camps and religious schools to vocational programs, nonprofits and respite care.

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Throughout those experiences, he began noticing a significant gap.

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There were programs supporting education, employment, socialization and other aspects of life for people with disabilities. But when it came to fitness, the options were much more limited.

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Traditional gyms aren't typically designed with people of all abilities in mind. Barriers can go beyond whether someone can physically enter a building or use a piece of equipment. A crowded gym floor, overwhelming sensory environment, lack of knowledgeable coaches or simply feeling like you don't belong can all make exercising more difficult.

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Jake wanted to create something different.

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Instead of asking athletes to adapt themselves to a traditional gym, ZOOZ adapts fitness to the athlete.

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At ZOOZ, athletes ages 6 and older can participate in one-on-one and semi-private personal training, group circuit training, cardio and Zumba classes, boxing, strength and conditioning and other programming. Workouts can be modified based on an athlete's abilities, needs and goals.

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The result is a place where exercise isn't about fitting into somebody else's definition of fitness.

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It's about discovering what your body can do.

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Fitness Is About More Than Exercise

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Walk into ZOOZ and you'll certainly see athletes lifting weights, running, boxing and working through circuits.

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But what happens inside the gym goes well beyond building muscle.

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For many athletes, fitness can become a way to practice communication, develop motor skills, become more independent, build confidence and form friendships.

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That community is a fundamental part of ZOOZ.

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“Ten years ago, I just wanted to create a place where people felt seen, supported, and pushed — in all the right ways,” Jake said. “I never imagined we’d grow into a community this strong, this proud, and this unstoppable.”

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That sense of belonging matters.

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Exercise can be challenging for anyone. Progress requires consistency, patience and a willingness to keep trying when something is difficult. Having coaches and other athletes who celebrate that effort can change the way someone sees not only exercise but themselves.

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That's why ZOOZ refers to the people who train here as athletes.

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A disability doesn't take that identity away.

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“Every time an athlete walks through our doors, they’re telling the world they’re capable of more than people expect,” Jake said. “That spirit is what built ZOOZ — and what keeps it growing.”

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Creating Fitness Around the Athlete

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Inclusive fitness doesn't necessarily mean completely reinventing exercise.

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In fact, one of the lessons Jake has learned from building ZOOZ is that standard fitness equipment can often work for athletes with disabilities when it's paired with effective coaching, communication and modifications.

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The difference is in the approach.

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ZOOZ coaches learn who their athletes are, how they communicate, what motivates them and where they may need additional support. One athlete's goal might be losing weight or getting stronger. Another might be improving balance, coordination or endurance. Someone else may be working toward completing a race or becoming more independent in everyday life.

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There isn't one definition of success.

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The physical environment reflects that philosophy as well. ZOOZ's current facility includes large open training areas, and group class and private rooms, providing different environments for athletes with different needs.

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And as ZOOZ has grown, so has the demand. With more than 600 athletes and a growing waitlist, ZOOZ has expanded its coaching staff and moved into a larger facility to accommodate more athletes — but the demand for inclusive fitness opportunities continues to grow.

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“No one should have to wait to feel strong, proud, and included,” Jake said.

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Taking ZOOZ Beyond Los Angeles

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That growth has led us to an important question:

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What about the athletes who don't live near ZOOZ?

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Families shouldn't have to live in one particular part of California to find a fitness community that understands and welcomes their loved one. And people with disabilities across the country shouldn't have to wonder whether there's a gym where they'll truly belong.

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For years, ZOOZ has worked to show what inclusive fitness can look like. Now, we're ready to take the next step.

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ZOOZ Fitness is franchising.

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Our goal is to take what we've learned from more than a decade of working with athletes with disabilities — our training philosophy, programming, culture and commitment to inclusion — and give passionate entrepreneurs the opportunity to bring ZOOZ to their own communities.

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Because the need that inspired Jake to start training a handful of athletes all those years ago isn't limited to Los Angeles.

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It's everywhere.

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And we believe ZOOZ can be, too.

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So, what does it actually mean to own a ZOOZ Fitness franchise — and why should someone consider joining us?

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That's what we'll explore next. In the next article in this series, we'll break down why you should franchise with ZOOZ Fitness and how owning a ZOOZ can be an opportunity to build a business while creating meaningful change in your community.

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