A Qualitative Pilot Study Exploring Gender Affirming Exercise Programming Among Tnb College Students

Background and Purpose: There has been little research about transgender and nonbinary persons (TNB) and their needs related to exercise, especially in gym spaces. Exercise and weight lifting has been found to be a transformative experience for TNB persons. Physical activity and exercise have been important in empowering transgender people in gender recognition and pride of the ‘right’ body-self (Elling-Machartzki, 2017). Yet, there are barriers and transphobic discriminations that TNB people experience in gym spaces that prevent them from accessing the benefits of exercise. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a gender affirming exercise program on gender dysphoria among TNB college students.

Methods: Five college students that identified as TNB (3 transmasculine, 1 transfeminine, and 1 nonbinary) completed a 12-week gender affirming exercise program that included a trainer that identifies as a trans man (certified in Trauma Informed Weight Lifting) who offered weekly group exercise sessions in a private workout space on campus. Participants were interviewed about the program’s impact on gender dysphoria and data were analyzed through a feminist participatory model.

Results: Findings highlighted participant narratives of gender dysphoria/euphoria and the difficulty in navigating gym spaces as a trans college student. Participants spoke of gender dysphoria that elicited a trauma response in the body when exercising in the presence of cis persons. In this study, exercising with other trans students and being guided and supported by a trans trainer created a safe space. In this space, participants reported getting stronger, feeling a sense of community, and subsequently becoming more confident. Gender euphoria was described related to gender-affirming efforts, such as gains, mentorship, and feeling supported and understood. According to participants, gender affirming gym spaces should be safe (private or with other LGBT students) and welcoming (flags, pronouns, body positive messaging) spaces, that offer a variety of equipment & programming, with trainers who understand their goals.

Conclusions and Implications: TNB students need affirming spaces to shift from body dysphoria towards euphoria. Participants overwhelmingly endorsed a need for gender affirming gym spaces and offered ideas for making the University gym more accessible for TGD students. Universities have the potential to offer critical gender affirming social and physical experiences, and the gym is one place to start. Students can engage in exercise spaces and programs that affirm their bodies and sense of self while being affirmed socially and interpersonally by trainers, University staff, other student athletes, as well as the existing policies within an affirming University fitness program. Study findings offer important insights to inform the development of gender affirming gym spaces on campuses as well as the integration of group exercise programming for TNB health and wellness.