Why queer-friendly strength spaces matter
Queer-Friendly Strongman: Why Safe Strength Spaces Matter (and what to look out for)
Strength training is powerful.
Strength training is transformative.
Strength training should be for everyone.
But if you’re queer, trans, non-binary, or simply don’t feel at home in traditional gyms, walking into a strength space can feel less like empowerment and more like tiptoeing into a lion’s den. And that’s a huge problem — because queer people deserve the joy of strength just as much as anyone else.
In this blog, I want to put forward why queer-friendly strongman spaces matter. Spaces like the Commando Temple and specifically Pride in Strength workshops. I highlight why spaces like this are different from typical gyms - how you can lift, carry and smash things without worrying about judgement, misgendering, or strange looks from gym bros who don’t get it.
Why Queer-Friendly Strength Spaces Matter
1. Gyms Have a Culture — and It’s Not Always Safe
A lot of commercial gyms operate on:
rigid gender expectations
body judgement
competitive posturing
assumptions about how people “should” train
For many queer people, especially trans and gender-diverse folks, this environment can feel:
intimidating
alienating
unsafe
exhausting
A queer-friendly training space flips the script by prioritising acceptance, safety and joy.
2. Strength Training Is Empowering — When Your Identity Is Safe
Strongman and other strength sports are joyful, playful, expressive and incredibly fun — but only if you feel safe enough to actually inhabit your body.
When your identity is respected:
lifts feel empowering
movement becomes expressive
training builds confidence rather than stress
strength becomes a celebration, not a defence mechanism
That’s the heart of queer-friendly strength training.
3. Queer Spaces Create Community, Not Competition…an exception being our Queerstrong competition which is so delicious and friendly
In a queer-friendly strength environment, people aren’t trying to outlift one another. They’re there to:
cheer each other on
explore movement
celebrate strength in all bodies
feel seen
laugh, grunt and grow together
Strongman is inherently communal — when paired with queer joy, it becomes something truly special. Queerstrong is such an incredible event. The atmosphere is something else, honestly. So much joy and support!
4. Strongman Is Highly Adaptable (AKA Perfect for Queer Bodies)
Strongman training adapts to you.
You can modify:
weight
object size
distance
reps
complexity
This makes it ideal for:
trans athletes
non-binary lifters
beginners
neurodivergent people
plus-sized folks
anyone who’s been excluded from traditional gyms
There’s always a version of a lift that fits your body and energy levels.
What to look out for in a Queer-Friendly Training Space
1. Coaches Understand Identity
A queer-friendly coach:
uses your pronouns
understands dysphoria triggers
creates a supportive environment
modifies lifts without judgement
celebrates strength at all sizes and genders
This alone changes everything.
2. A Community That Feels Like Home
Look for:
inclusive language
diverse bodies
warm energy
anti-macho culture
genuine support
If you walk in and think, “I can breathe here,” you’ve found the right place.
3. A Space That Lets You Be You
The right environment allows you to:
show up in whatever presentation feels right
train without hypervigilance
feel respected
focus on movement instead of safety
Strength should feel liberating — not stressful.
4. Programming That Adapts to Your Body
Good queer-friendly coaching includes modifications for:
mobility differences
hormone considerations
dysphoria-safe options
energy fluctuations
accessibility needs
You deserve coaching that meets you where you are.
Why Queer Strongman Is Growing (And Why You Should Try It)
More queer folks are discovering strongman because it offers:
community
joy
play
resilience
embodied confidence
It’s the opposite of toxic gym culture.
It’s strength as liberation.
It’s movement as self-respect.
And it’s fun as hell.
Want to Try Queer-Friendly Strongman in London?
I offer:
queer-friendly strongman workshops: Pride in Strength
ancient strength tool training (Indian clubs, Persian meels, Sang shields)
beginner-friendly strength coaching
private sessions for LGBTQ+ clients
All held in SE London in a supportive, inclusive environment where you can show up exactly as you are.
Ready to feel powerful on your own terms?
Let’s train together.
