Supporting Gym Users with Physical Disabilities

Delivered by an experienced Sports Therapist within the Matt Hampson Foundation, a charity who specialise in supporting people who have been seriously injured through sport, this in-person workshop will teach you how to become more confident and competent when coaching or working with people who have a variety of physical impairments in a gym environment. The workshop will specifically take place in Performance Herts, the specialised Strength & Conditiong Gym to aid the bespoke learning experience.

There will be a specific focus on supporting wheelchair users, indivduals with lower limb and upper limb impairments, and those who use an ankle foot orthosis (brace).

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What to expect

We will discuss the key anatomical/physiological differences, the social model of disability, and the appropriate language to use when coaching individuals with an impairment. We will explore how you can adapt common training movements and gym equipment and how functional patterns may change due to differences with balance. You’ll also have the opportunity to practically explore what training with a disability might feel like, by simulating impairments and working with a live wheelchair user. We’ll focus on developing creativity in practice, applying exisitng knowledge while also highlighting key areas of new knowledge.

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Who is it for?

We advise for confident and experienced individuals involved in personal training and/or strength and conditioning coaching to book on, with the workshop placing a specific emphasis on those who are involved with on the ground gym work (Gym floor coaches/Gym Managers involved in delivery).

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Event Details:

Date: Friday 10th July

Time: 12pm-4pm

Location: Hertfordshire Sports Village, Hatfield, AL10 9EU

Cost: Free

Book your place here

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Run as part of the No Limits 2026 Campaign - Hertfordshire's Year of Disability Sport & Physical Activity, the Disability Inclusion Learning Series is a six-part development programme designed to support sport and physical activity organisations to become more inclusive, accessible, and confident in engaging disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.

The series will be delivered free of charge and offered through a series of online and in person sessions to maximise accessibility and reach across a variety of different audiences.

Delivered in collaboration with leading national and local partners, the series will combine practical learning, discussion, and shared expertise to drive sustainable inclusion across the county.