When Accessibility Isn’t More Than a Buzzword
My Experience with Origym
When I first signed up for a personal training course with Origym, I felt hopeful and optimistic.
Their website looked polished.
Their sales team was responsive and enthusiastic.
They promised innovation, accessibility, and support.
On their site, Origym proudly states:
“We are dedicated to redefining the standard for training course providers by offering exceptional, accessible education to all aspiring fitness professionals.”
It sounds inspiring, doesn’t it?
They claim to care deeply about students; that we’re their top priority.
They say they’re here to open doors into the fitness industry.
But my experience has told a very different story.
When “Accessible” Isn’t Inclusive
As someone with autism, ADHD, and social anxiety, I often need communication to be clear, consistent, and compassionate. The one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for me, or for many others with additional needs.
Yet Origym’s website has no mention of EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion).
No accessibility statement.
No policies or guidance for students with disabilities or mental health conditions.
There’s no sign that they understand, or even consider, the needs of neurodivergent or disabled learners. Their messaging focuses almost entirely on financial accessibility, not educational accessibility.
That’s not good enough.
Silence Speaks Volumes
When I emailed Origym to express my concerns about the lack of inclusivity and to ask for support during my assessment, my message went unanswered.
Before I even enrolled, I had disclosed that I was autistic and had ADHD. I was reassured that this wouldn’t be a problem; that support would be available.
But when I actually needed that support?
Silence.
It’s disappointing, disheartening, and frankly unacceptable for a company that claims to offer “exceptional, accessible education.”
The Gap Between Policy and Practice
Origym’s qualifications are endorsed by CIMSPA — the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity.
That endorsement should mean something.
CIMSPA’s own EDI policy highlights a strong commitment to inclusion:
“We believe in embracing difference… all applicants will be treated fairly without regard to physical or mental disability, or any other protected characteristic.”
They also state:
“No person will receive less favourable treatment or be disadvantaged by requirements or conditions which cannot be shown to be justifiable.”
If CIMSPA expects this level of inclusivity, why isn’t it being upheld by one of its endorsed providers?
It raises an important question: Who is being held accountable?
Missed Opportunity for Leadership
The fitness industry is crying out for greater inclusivity. Not just in gyms, but in education too. Origym had an incredible opportunity to lead by example, instead, they’ve shown how easily “accessibility” can become a buzzword rather than a value.
If you truly care about accessibility, it’s not enough to offer flexible schedules or online learning options.
Accessibility means action. It means reasonable adjustments, responsive support, and awareness of how different students experience the learning environment.
What Needs to Change
If Origym; and any other training provider; truly want to be inclusive, here’s where to start:
Establish a Comprehensive EDI Policy
Commit to clear, public guidelines that reflect CIMSPA’s values. Outline how you support students with disabilities, mental health needs, and neurodivergence.
Be Transparent About Support
Include a dedicated accessibility section on your website. Explain how to request reasonable adjustments and what students can expect in return.
Respond Promptly to Students
Accessibility isn’t just physical; it’s emotional too. Ignoring or delaying responses from vulnerable students sends a harmful message: that their needs don’t matter.
Train Your Team
Sales, tutors, and assessors should all receive training on supporting neurodivergent and disabled learners. Compassionate communication should be the standard, not the exception.
Real Accessibility Requires Action
A sleek website and smooth enrolment process can’t make up for poor accessibility behind the scenes.
True inclusion goes beyond marketing claims; it’s about accountability, transparency, and care.
The fitness industry should be a space where everyone, regardless of background, ability, or need, can thrive.
So to Origym, and to all education providers in this field:
Live your values.
Support all aspiring trainers; not just the easy ones.
Make inclusivity more than a selling point.
Because education should open doors, not create barriers. And accessibility should be the standard; not an afterthought.
Related Reading:
I passed my Level 2 Gym Instructing qualification with OriGym, but the process wasn’t easy. This post reflects on the barriers, accessibility challenges, and my mission to make the fitness industry more inclusive for neurodivergent people. Read more here
I’m a neurodivergent personal trainer on a mission to make fitness spaces accessible for everyone. From sensory-friendly environments to inclusive staff training, I’m working to create gyms where every body and brain can feel confident, supported, and welcome. Read more here.
Gyms can feel overwhelming. With cluttered layouts, loud noises, and unwelcoming atmospheres, fitness spaces are often inaccessible for too many people. As a fat personal trainer and accessibility advocate, I’ve gone viral on TikTok and Instagram for calling out these issues, and yes, I get trolled for it. Read more here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Origym an accessible personal training course provider?
While Origym advertises its courses as “accessible,” my personal experience suggests that accessibility currently refers mainly to financial flexibility rather than true inclusivity. There is limited information about disability or mental health support, and no clear accessibility or EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) policy available on their website.
Does Origym support neurodivergent or disabled students?
At the time of writing, there are no publicly available details on how Origym supports students with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or other disabilities. This lack of transparency can make it difficult for neurodivergent or disabled students to know what reasonable adjustments or learning accommodations are available.
What should I do if I need adjustments for my personal training course?
If you’re a student with accessibility needs, it’s best to email the provider before enrolling to ask specific questions about reasonable adjustments, communication preferences, and available support. Keep written records of all correspondence in case issues arise later.
How does CIMSPA ensure inclusion in fitness education?
CIMSPA’s EDI policy emphasises that no one should be disadvantaged due to disability, neurodivergence, or mental health. They aim to create an inclusive learning environment, but this relies on training providers — like Origym — implementing those values consistently in their own courses.
What changes could make fitness education more inclusive?
To make personal training courses genuinely inclusive, providers should:
Publish a clear EDI and accessibility policy.
Offer flexible communication methods for neurodivergent learners.
Provide reasonable adjustments during assessments.
Train staff to understand and support diverse learning needs.
These steps can help ensure every aspiring trainer has an equal chance to succeed.
Why does accessibility matter in personal training qualifications?
Fitness professionals often go on to work with clients who have a wide range of needs — physical, mental, and sensory. If education providers fail to model accessibility, the entire industry risks excluding both trainers and clients who need extra understanding and adaptation.
