Gay gym denver
Steven Alix was in the midst of opening his newest bar on Denver’s Colfax Avenue when he had something of an existential crisis.
It was first and as the owner of two other establishments, X Bar and and The Squire Lounge, Alix had just been through the now all-too-familiar ringer of COVID-induced closures and social distancing requirements that necessitated repeatedly retooling his businesses. He had elongated dreamed of opening a sports bar where LGBTQ fans could feel “absolutely comfortable” celebrating their favorite local teams, but reality was setting in.
“Here I was opening a bar when COVID wasn’t over and neither were the restrictions,” Alix said. “I was just so delighted about the project that I got into and had this aha moment like, &#;Oh my God, what am I doing?&#; ”
Alix persevered, and in April opened the city’s first gay sports bar, Tight End, one in a wave of modern, LGBTQ-focused establishments and events to come on the scene since the pandemic began. Owners and organizers said the increase in the number of queer spaces recently seems more coincidental than anything, bu
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Queer Owned
Chin-Up Training is one of Denver’s only queer-owned and operated gyms.
Body-Positivity /
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Everyone is worthy of love and a positive or neutral body image, regardless of how the media and society tries to define beauty or the ideal body type.
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We're a safer space for everyone who has ever felt othered in any kind of traditional wellness atmosphere.
Chin-Up Training features brand new equipment, smaller class sizes for individualized attention, experienced trainers, and immaculate vibes.
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I Tried Denver’s Only Queer-Owned, TikTok-Famous Gym
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After huffing through a set of bicep curls and military presses, I grab a pound exercise ball and follow my fellow noon exercise class attendees out the door of Metamorphosis Fitness. We run through the gym’s University Hills strip mall, urged on by camaraderie and the fragrance of the dumpsters behind the big grocery store. Shoppers pushing carts stop and stare at us, bemused.
Do I feel self-conscious? A bit. But mostly, I feel sweaty, flamboyant, and strong.
As we file back in, the workout playlist has transitioned from Robyn to Carly Rae Jepsen, and Styler Rising, the founder and face of Metamorphosis, turns from the rowing machines to shout out encouragements. They sport an electric blue mohawk and a tank top with a rainbow kettlebell illustration. As I kickoff a series of crunches, holding an eight-pound dumbbell, they walk over to my workout station and suggest I swap out the dumbbell for an equally heavy circular weight plate—pr
Chin Up Training: Denver&#;s Queer Gym For Everyone
GayDenver: How do the classes work?
Chin Up Training: Usually, people tend to follow this approach: our classes are donation-based, with a suggested donation of $ Typically, attending classes with these donations can naturally conduct to membership if individuals are coming a rare times a week. It often works out that giving the suggested donation makes the membership more economical for them. So, in my ideal scenario, they would start by attending a couple of classes first.
I aimed to make it extremely reachable for everyone. I wanted people to have the opportunity to explore the space and the vibe without any pressure to commit to something right away. We also facilitate trades for those who might find the suggested $10 donation challenging. The key goal was to create a low-pressure and welcoming experience for everyone.
GayDenver: What one-on-one or specialized services do you offer?
Chin Up Training: I&#;m a personal trainer myself, and we&#;re fortunate to verb some incredible personal trainers working at the g