ASA Facility Certification Program

Making BC the most inclusive place in the world to move your body.

We're building a certification program for gyms, studios, community centres, specialty movement spaces, and schools across the province - recognizing the places that go above and beyond to welcome everyone, regardless of the personal circumstances that affect how they participate in health and fitness.

Why this matters

Not everyone experiences a gym, a pool, or a class the same way. Mobility, chronic illness, mental health, sensory sensitivities, financial barriers, body size, age, and countless other factors shape whether a space actually feels open to someone.

We believe every movement space in the province can be a place where people feel genuinely welcome. This certification is how we help spaces show it, and help people find it.

What we're building

A certification that movement spaces and schools can earn by demonstrating real, practical inclusivity - things like physical accessibility, financial accessibility, staff training, and a track record of welcoming people who might otherwise be turned away or turned off.

We're starting in the Comox Valley, working closely with local movement spaces and schools, before expanding certification across other communities in BC.

Who it's for

• Gyms, studios, and fitness facilities looking to formally recognize and communicate their inclusive practices

• Community centres and recreation facilities already doing this work informally

• Specialty movement spaces (adaptive programs, seniors' programs, sensory-friendly classes, and more)

• Schools, starting with the middle and high schools, with plans to expand to elementary in the future.

Where things stand

We're in the early stages: building relationships, mapping the movement spaces and schools across the province, and developing the certification criteria itself. This page will grow as the program takes shape.

Get in touch

Want to be part of this from the ground up? Whether you run a movement space, work in a school district, or just want to know when this launches, we'd love to hear from you. Please reach out to info@adaptivestrength.org. We are excited to work directly with people and businesses that are actively pursuing adaptive and inclusive practices.

This certification program is currently in development. Certification criteria, timelines, and a full rollout schedule are coming soon.