Gyms are failing deaf people – but this company is planning to fix it

For most people, walking into a gym is a straightforward experience: music playing, instructors shouting commands, conversations happening around the weights. But for the millions of Deaf and hearing-impaired individuals worldwide, gyms are often inaccessible spaces filled with barriers both seen and unseen.

To tackle this, David Edgington, CEO and founder of  Worldwide Deaf Gym has set up the UK’s first Deaf-focused fitness company, on a mission to break down those barriers and reimagine what accessibility truly means in the world of health and fitness.

Worldwide Deaf Gym

David’s personal experience as a Deaf fitness professional has now shaped an organisation that is now inspiring change far beyond the UK’s borders.

For David, the journey to creating Worldwide Deaf Gym was born from struggle. After spending six years unsuccessfully trying to find a job as a personal trainer, he realised something crucial: the fitness industry wasn’t designed to include Deaf people.

David was clear in his ambitions. “It’s about fixing a gap that no one else was addressing. Instead of waiting for gyms to become accessible, I knew we had to create a solution ourselves, something designed with the Deaf community at its core.”

That solution is now a thriving organisation offering Deaf-inclusive training, British Sign Language (BSL) courses, and accessibility consultancy for gyms, helping both fitness professionals and gym owners become part of a much-needed revolution.

“Gyms weren’t built for us, so we’re building our own future”

The need for change is urgent. One in three Deaf individuals suffers from mental health challenges, often exacerbated by isolation and a lack of inclusive spaces to work on their physical and mental well-being.

David points out that accessibility is about creating environments where Deaf people feel they belong. “Fitness is supposed to improve your health, but if you’re shut out of that world, it takes a toll,” he explained.

“We’re not just teaching gyms how to work with Deaf clients. We’re showing them how to unlock the potential of an entire community that’s been ignored.”

Three core services that are changing the industry

Worldwide Deaf Gym offers a comprehensive, three-tier system aimed at making gyms truly inclusive:

Deaf Awareness Training: Designed to give fitness professionals a deeper understanding of the Deaf community’s unique needs and practical tools to make their spaces welcoming.

British Sign Language Training: Courses that teach gym staff to communicate effectively with Deaf and non-verbal clients, opening doors to a wider, more diverse membership base — including those with autism, Down syndrome, brain injuries, and more.

Professional Membership Portal: A hub where trained professionals gain access to Deaf-inclusive resources, support, exclusive discounts on accessible equipment, and the tools to meet compliance standards while building stronger community ties.

The barriers to gym access and how to break them down

The fitness industry, David said, is still largely built around hearing-centred communication. From loud group classes to verbal-only instructions. This creates a system that, unintentionally, excludes Deaf people.

“The biggest misconception is thinking you can train Deaf clients the same way as hearing clients with just a few tweaks,” David explained.

“That doesn’t work. You need a completely different approach: one that’s visual, structured, and designed to work for the way Deaf people communicate and process information.”

Worldwide Deaf Gym has developed a visual training model that not only works for Deaf clients but also improves the gym experience for many others, such as those who struggle with verbal communication due to disabilities or trauma.

A global vision and the challenges ahead

David’s dream is ambitious: connecting 200,000 gyms worldwide through a common goal of accessibility. But he admits, changing an entire industry isn’t easy.

“One of the biggest challenges is convincing gym owners that this isn’t just a ‘nice to have,’ but a smart business move,” he said. “When you make your gym accessible, you’re not just doing the right thing, you’re opening up to a whole new market that’s been overlooked. And once you do that, growth is inevitable.”

Still, resistance remains. Many gym owners don’t realise the scale of the Deaf community, or the profound impact true inclusion could have on both membership and revenue.

Fitness and mental health

Beyond the business case, David is passionate about highlighting how accessibility in fitness is also a critical mental health issue.

“There are amazing Deaf mental health professionals out there, but almost no accessible fitness options,” he explained. “Yet we know how vital exercise is for mental well-being. By excluding Deaf people from gyms, we’re cutting them off from something that could improve their lives dramatically.”

David believes that accessible fitness spaces could ease pressure on healthcare systems, reducing long-term mental health issues and encouraging healthier lifestyles among Deaf and hearing-impaired individuals.

The future of gym accessibility

Looking ahead, David is excited by the possibilities of technology in transforming Deaf fitness access.

“There’s no AI or tech yet that’s built specifically for Deaf gym users, but that’s coming,” he said. “We’re working on ways to integrate AI with sign language and fitness so that Deaf people can access training that’s made for them, in their language. When that happens, it will completely change the game.”

Social media, too, has been a powerful tool for Worldwide Deaf Gym — from David’s early days posting fitness videos in sign language on Facebook to now, where an international audience is watching closely.

“Social media has helped us build a global movement. It’s where we challenge misconceptions and show what’s possible when you embrace inclusion.”

What’s next?

Although he remains tight-lipped about specifics, David hints at big projects and partnerships on the horizon.

“Let’s just say we’re working on something that’s going to take everything we’ve built to the next level, so watch this space,” added David

For gym owners wondering where to begin, David’s advice is simple and direct:

“Let us do the heavy lifting. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. We have the tools, the training, and the expertise to make your gym accessible, and trust me, it’ll be one of the smartest moves you’ll make for your business and your community.”

As Worldwide Deaf Gym continues to grow, so too does the hope that soon, no Deaf individual will feel excluded from the life-changing benefits of fitness. What began as one man’s battle against an inaccessible industry has lit the way for a healthier, more inclusive future.

Because, as David and his team believe: fitness is for everyone.

You can find out more at Worldwide Deaf Gym’s website by clicking here