The Movement: Fitness & Wellness
We provide trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ affirming, anti-racist, and disability inclusive physical fitness, wellness, and sexual health support. We believe feeling good and empowered in your own body is the foundation of social justice. All people have the right to movement. We want you to love your body, move your body, take back your body.
What is "Feminist Fitness"?
Our approach to fitness is "feminist," which means:
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Its fitness that is mindful of the fact we don't all have the same access to fitness or the same needs.
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It is trauma-informed.
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It is fiery and fierce.
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It is silly, non-competitive, and fun.
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It is sexy and focused on pleasure.
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It is safe and accessible for all bodies. We are gender-affirming, disability inclusive, and committed to anti-racism.
How It Started
It may sounds dramatic, but music and movement saved my life. Back in 2020, in the midst of Covid 19, I entered perimenopause and got diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. My body and mind were in chaos, and out of despair, I tried some group fitness classes at my local Y.
I was not physically fit...but moving my body, pushing it to the beat of music, opened something in me. I started listening to music again, taking all sorts of classes. I discovered my body and found pleasure and power again. I don't claim to be healed. I'm not. But, I do feel more capable to face life, and I'm having fun again.
One of the classes I loved most was "Cardio Drumming," and in 2024 I started putting fitness drumming to the feminist music I love, and Feminist Cardio Drumming was born. After I taught my first class, I was hooked. I decided to invest more and more time learning about exercise and the body. I became a Certified Personal Trainer (through the National Academy of Sports Medicine) and a Certified Group Power instructor with MOSSA.
In 2025 I started "Feminist Fitness" online, realizing that what I brought to fitness was unique. I may have come to fitness "late in life," but I have a lifetime of experience as a feminist teacher, writer, and organizer. Combining fitness and social justice is something I have to offer, but, importantly that is not something one does alone. So, I started organizing and networking with like minded folx on how to expand offerings....and slowly The Movement began to take shape.
Today, The Movement is working on remodeling our first gym and wellness center space in Toledo, Ohio, and rapidly expanding online offerings as we add more staff to our team. We have big plans and lots of energy to make fitness more accessible, interesting, and fun!
-Dr. Sarah