Pride Fitness DSM

“I always loved the way it felt to be strong,” Leah Embrey said.⁠ ⁠ For members of the LGBTQ community, that confidence can be hard to develop. Walking into the gym for the first time can be intimidating under the best of circumstances; worrying about prejudice can compound those anxieties.⁠ ⁠ That’s why Embrey created @pridefitnessdsm, a Drake neighborhood gym for the q***r community and anyone else who worries they won’t fit in at the typical gym.⁠ ⁠ “Having spaces where people can be exactly who they are without having to put a mask on or worry that they’re getting judged, by how they present, what they look like or how they do their hair, is really important,” Embrey said.⁠ ⁠ The one thing that’s not allowed? Negative self-talk, in any form.⁠ ⁠ Learn more about Pride Fitness, and other places building community for q***r Iowans, in our special Pride Health & Wellness reporting part of our May/June issue. Link in bio. 🌈 Because taking care of ourselves means prioritizing mental health alongside physical health, and access to safe, affirming spaces is a crucial part of that work. Those spaces foster belonging and make self-care just a little bit easier.⁠ ⁠ 📸: Duane Tinkey⁠ ✍️: Mathany Ahmed

Pride in practice Taking care of ourselves means prioritizing mental health alongside physical health, and access to safe, affirming spaces is a crucial part of that work. For LGBTQ people, that might mean grabbing …

We’re back again and we can’t wait!! You can try out deadlifting or test your skills with a challenge if you’re up for it 💪

You can find us on the interactive map here:
https://www.eventeny.com/events/map/?id=28672&mid=20370

What do volleyball games and powerlifting have to do with Pride Month? More than you might think. How Des Moines organizations are using fitness to build community and improve the mental health of LGBTQ+ Iowans. FULL STORY⬇️

Meet Pride Fitness DSM, an inclusive gym space serving the LGBTQ+ community throughout the Des Moines metro 🏳️‍🌈 Leah, owner, worked with Iowa Center business coaches to optimize her time and grow her small business! Leah was featured in our “Made in Iowa” small business panel discussion event, helping bring new visibility and clients to her gym and personal trainer program.

Check out the amazing work happening at https://www.pridefitnessdsm.com/

Shout out to all the other small business owners!

Happy to the small business owners and entrepreneurs who connect our communities, making them colorful, flavorful, and fun places to live, work, and visit ☕☀ 🎨

Small business ownership comes with countless rewards and challenges, and The Iowa Center is proud to provide support and expertise through three direct lines of service: business coaching, access to capital, and tax services.

Learn more about our story and how The Iowa Center team is making a difference for Iowans: https://theiowacenter.org/our-story/

One year ago, we opened the doors to a space that felt different.

Not louder.
Not flashier.
Just safer.

This room has seen:
First pull-ups.
PR deadlifts.
Nervous beginners.
Confident exits.

Strength looks different here.

And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

Anniversary Open House on March 28th.
More details soon.

***rfitness

New artwork for the gym!!

As a proud lifelong member of the optimism club this is the vibe that I strive to create for the space. And that’s not to say there are never down moments *gestures widely to the state and federal f**kery* it just means when you come to the gym you won’t be alone as we tackle them together.

Come join the other optimism club members!!

Print by local artist (definitely check out her other amazing stuff!)