Gyms are usually ruled by bros. Anyone who has ever set foot in a gym probably knows the feeling — I certainly do. You walk in and immediately feel out of place. Around me, there are guys on weight machines or standing in front of the mirror, sighing and grunting, usually a little too loudly, all following an unspoken choreography I don’t understand. And honestly, I don’t want to understand it. That’s how traditional gyms feel for me, for many women, and especially for many queer people. Which is why someone in Berlin set out to create a safe space for strength training for queer people: Queer Power Gym. Founder Eve has been strength training for twenty years and quickly realized that, as a nonbinary person, it’s easy to feel out of place in conventional gym environments. So they began offering personal training, and from there, the idea of creating a space of their own formed. At Queer Power Gym, it’s not just about squats or bench presses. From the moment you arrive, it’s clear people are welcome, addressed by name, with the correct pronouns, and with their individual goals in mind. Many come wanting to build strength in the traditional sense, others want to reduce pain, and others are there for gender-affirming training.
For some, that means building muscle in specific areas of the body, such as the arms or back. For others, it means training in a space where their bodies are not questioned — offered in the form of small group personal training. This format grew out of the original one-on-one sessions. While progress there was significant, the price was out of reach for many people. In small groups, much of that same individual attention can be maintained while making the training more accessible. Structure plays a central role, especially in the beginning, when many people feel lost in the gym among all the machines, routines and exercises. At Queer Power Gym, it’s clear from the start what to do. A reliable framework, group training and familiar faces help people build a routine. Queer circles, too, often stay within their own bubbles. People usually meet at the bar, not at the gym. At Eve’s, the LGBTQIA+ community mixes, and that is what makes it so special. Some people stay after training for a nonalcoholic beer at the Späti, while others come because they feel comfortable in the group. The project is still young. After a long search, Eve found a training space at Oranienplatz in Kreuzberg. Now, there is a space for strength that doesn’t feel intimidating. So, queers, let’s get to training. Finally, a gym where we don’t have to explain ourselves or prove ourselves before picking up a dumbbell.
Text: Inga Krumme / Photos: Evelyn Bastian
Queer Power Gym, Oranienstr.163, 10969 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
@queer.power.gym.berlin
