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.

I’m Rhiannon; 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.

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.

I originally wrote this in 2024 while preparing for my Level 2 OriGym assessment. I’m now a qualified personal trainer and have been for 10 months! This updated 2025 guide includes all the key training tables, exercise classifications, and practical advice to help personal trainers feel ready, supported, and confident for their own assessments.

Improving accessibility in gyms isn't just about meeting legal requirements or accommodating people with disabilities. Learn 6 practical ways gyms can improve accessibility, from quiet spaces to flexible inductions, and why these changes benefit all members.

I signed up for a personal training course with Origym expecting innovation, accessibility, and support. While their website promises “accessible education for all,” my experience as an autistic, ADHD student revealed a lack of inclusion, communication, and understanding for those with non-typical needs.