Worldwide Deaf Gym

Many deaf people face obstacles when trying to use gyms and fitness services. Communication difficulties and a lack of deaf awareness often mean they feel excluded. This matters because one in three deaf people experiences poor mental or physical health. WDG exists to change this. By providing fitness training in BSL, raising awareness, and training deaf PTs, they are making exercise more accessible and helping more people enjoy the benefits of fitness.

Deaf-Led Expertise

WDG was founded by David Edgington, a deaf PT who knows these challenges first-hand. After being told he couldn’t work in the industry because of his deafness, David proved the doubters wrong. Together with a team with lived experience, he has built an organisation that puts deaf people at the centre of change. Their work has already trained seven deaf PTs, produced BSL-led fitness films, launched an e-learning platform, and created an accreditation scheme to help gyms become more deaf-friendly. Early support from Sport England helped them build this foundation by funding training and resources. 

Deaf PTs Leading the Way

WDG has ambitions to grow beyond its current locations and eventually create an international movement. The next phase will see WDG’s deaf PTs carry out community interviews, share real stories, and review gyms’ accessibility. They will also begin setting up training hubs in Manchester and London, preparing the way for local delivery of WDG’s PT training course. John Good Group funding will support PT mentoring, travel, equipment, leadership workshops, and BSL-led outreach and marketing. By leading this work themselves, deaf PTs will gain new skills, create jobs, and help gyms improve – while raising the profile of deaf voices across fitness.