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Because We Can Fitness brings adaptive training to Staten Island

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. s-brings-adaptive-training-to-staten-island.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, October 9th 2025 at 7:02 GMT by Staten Island Advance
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Because We Can Fitness Brings Adaptive Training to Staten Island

In a heart‑warming feature published by SILive on October 19, 2025, readers were introduced to “Because We Can Fitness,” a groundbreaking community gym on Staten Island that is redefining what it means to train inclusively. The article chronicles the gym’s mission, its state‑of‑the‑art facilities, and the ripple effect it has on the island’s residents—particularly those with physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities.

A Vision That Came to Life

The story begins with the vision of the gym’s founder, Maria Gutierrez, a former physical therapist who grew frustrated with the limited options available for people with disabilities in New York City. “I saw people who could lift their bodies but couldn’t find a place that understood their unique needs,” Gutierrez recalled. With the help of a modest grant from the New York City Department of Health and an enthusiastic board of local volunteers, she turned the dream into reality. Today, the center occupies a renovated community hall on the edge of the South Shore, with easy‑access ramps, a sensory‑friendly waiting area, and an equipment layout that allows for safe, independent use by people of all abilities.

Adaptive Training: A Whole‑New Approach

Unlike a conventional gym, Because We Can Fitness tailors its program to each participant’s functional level. Certified trainers—many of whom have backgrounds in adaptive sports—design individualized workout plans that include strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, and flexibility work. The gym offers a wide range of specialized equipment: weighted balls, resistance bands, balance discs, and adjustable rowing machines. Importantly, the staff also runs a “Beginner’s Boot Camp” that teaches people who have never worked out how to use equipment safely and effectively, a vital stepping‑stone toward long‑term health.

The article emphasizes the center’s emphasis on community. Over 70% of its members are people with disabilities or their caregivers, and the gym hosts weekly “Family Fitness Days” where parents, siblings, and friends can participate in low‑impact exercises alongside their loved ones. This inclusive atmosphere fosters peer support and a sense of belonging that many participants describe as “transformative.”

Partnerships That Amplify Impact

Because We Can Fitness is not working in isolation. The feature details collaborations with several local organizations:

• Staten Island Health Department: The health department provides periodic workshops on nutrition, mental health, and disease prevention that are adapted for participants with varying cognitive abilities. The article cites a joint initiative that offers free blood‑pressure checks at the gym on Tuesdays.
• Staten Island School for the Blind: Students from the school attend “Sensory Sessions” that blend music therapy and light exercise, helping them develop gross motor skills in a supportive setting. The partnership, mentioned on the school’s website, showcases how adaptive training can enhance school curricula.
• NYC Disability Coalition: The coalition funds scholarships that enable financially disadvantaged families to enroll their children in the gym’s programs. Through a link to the coalition’s grant application portal, the article invites interested families to apply for support.

These collaborations illustrate a holistic ecosystem where health, education, and civic engagement intersect.

Funding and Sustainability

Because We Can Fitness relies on a mix of private donations, public grants, and revenue from its services. The article highlights a recent $250,000 matching grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, which allows the gym to purchase additional adaptive equipment. Meanwhile, a subscription model—tiered at $45 per month for full access and $25 for drop‑in classes—provides financial stability while keeping services affordable. The center also holds monthly fund‑raising events such as “Walk for Wellness” and “Yoga for All,” which draw community members from across the borough.

Personal Stories of Transformation

Perhaps the most compelling part of the feature is the human side of the story. It follows three participants who share how the gym has changed their lives:

• Lena Ramirez (23), who uses a wheelchair after a spinal injury, describes how learning to use resistance bands has increased her upper‑body strength, allowing her to perform daily tasks with greater independence.
• Ethan Brooks (12), a student with autism, recounts how the gym’s structured routine and supportive staff helped him reduce anxiety and improve focus in school.
• Mrs. Thomas (58), a caregiver, talks about how the “Family Fitness Day” helped her husband stay active and her own mental health improved through the camaraderie of the group.

Each story underscores the center’s promise that fitness isn’t a privilege reserved for the able-bodied; it is a right that should be accessible to all.

Looking Ahead

In its closing paragraphs, the article turns to future plans. Because We Can Fitness aims to open a satellite location in the nearby borough of Brooklyn by 2027, and it is developing an online platform for remote adaptive training. The gym’s leadership believes that technology—especially virtual reality—can bridge geographic barriers and provide individualized coaching at scale.

The feature also points readers to a linked research article from the Journal of Rehabilitation and Therapy Research, which reviews evidence supporting the psychological benefits of adaptive fitness for individuals with developmental disabilities. By integrating this research, the article lends scientific credence to the gym’s methods and illustrates how evidence‑based practice can drive community health initiatives.

Final Thoughts

Because We Can Fitness is more than a gym; it is a living testament to the power of inclusive design, community partnership, and adaptive training. The SILive article paints a vivid picture of a place where people are empowered to move, breathe, and thrive on their own terms. As Staten Island—and indeed New York City—continues to grow and diversify, facilities like this will play a pivotal role in ensuring that health and wellness remain accessible for every resident, regardless of physical or cognitive ability.