Those Who
Bloom
Every week, more than 3,000 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities show up, push hard, and prove what's possible. This is their story.
Richard.
Richard did not like to exercise, and he was an adamant no about joining a class. He would tell you so himself. Then one day he decided to join a class at Spindletop, one of our partner locations.
In that first class he had real trouble with anything that asked for a leg lift, high knees, a forward fold, or balance. He did not give up. He kept coming.
Today Richard can be seen doing high knees and forward folds with the best of them, and his balance is improving one squat at a time.
Having a safe space to learn, practise and build community matters enormously to Bloom athletes — and it is a large part of why 95% of them stay with us.
Adults with IDD are nearly twice as likely to be inactive. Bloom exists to change that number.
The gap in fitness access for the IDD community isn't just a quality-of-life issue. It's a health crisis. Bloom was built to close that gap — class by class, athlete by athlete, one community at a time.
Representing Bloom with heart.
These athletes are nominated for their commitment to Bloom and to wellness generally. They represent Bloom at local events, spreading our mission and welcoming new people into the community.
Bloom Coaches represent Bloom Fitness with pride, encouraging others to choose a lifetime of fitness. They lead classes, mentor peers, assist teachers and collaborate with other Coaches.
Michele
Michele from The Brookwood Community is Bloom Fitness’ very first Bloom Coach!
After experiencing firsthand how movement can build confidence and bring joy, Michele is now inspiring others to feel good about themselves — both physically and emotionally.
“I just want to inspire people and help them to be better.”
Michele’s passion for fitness and helping others continues to inspire Athletes throughout the Bloom Fitness community.
Matt
Matt was chosen to represent Bloom Fitness as a Bloom Coach at his Partner location, Aspire Accessories!
With more than 700 Bloom classes completed, Matt leads by example through his love of movement and fitness. He encourages his friends to join him and brings enthusiasm and a positive attitude to every class.
Matt is an incredible role model, showing others that fitness is more fun when we move together!
Thusa
Thusa is a dedicated Bloom Coach who loves encouraging her friends to get moving and have fun! With almost 400 Bloom classes completed, she leads by example and brings great energy to every class.
Thusa enjoys checking in Athletes and helping get the TV ready for class. She loves dance classes and is excited to help other locations experience the fun of Bloom Fitness!
Her enthusiasm and encouragement inspire others to move and enjoy fitness together.
Trevor and Melissa
Trevor and Melissa from Cartman and Hampton are two dedicated Bloom Coaches who bring their unique strengths to the Bloom Fitness community.
Melissa enjoys participating in Bloom with her friends and earning awards. She leads with empathy, encouraging her friends to join in and do their best.
Trevor loves helping his friends, staff, and the Bloom Fitness team lead classes. He demonstrates discipline and teamwork while having fun and staying active with his friends.
Together, Trevor and Melissa are inspiring others to move, connect, and enjoy fitness!
Joe P.
“Exercising to music and using weights to make my body more muscular”
Michael M.
“Being able to exercise with my friends and lose weight”
Vickie B.
“I love being able to exercise and get healthy”
Amy C.
“To be strong. To be healthy. To be powerful”
Drew R.
“The classes are fun!”
Every body. Every ability.
More than 3,000 athletes come from our 53 partner locations across Texas, Florida, North Carolina and multiple other states. They are the reason Bloom exists.
Amy
Amy has always made an effort to be healthy. When a cycling class was offered she was the first to sign up, and she nudged others to join her. She struggled at first — it was the first time she had truly tried aerobic exercise — but she was determined, and never missed a day. When she earned her Bloom towel, water bottle and shirt, her eyes beamed with a pride that has only grown since.
Ashley
Ashley came to her first cycle class in flip flops and struggled to climb onto the bike, not saying a word and not looking at anyone. To our surprise she came back the very next week, and again, and again. Today she arrives in tennis shoes, in full Bloom gear, with cycling gloves. A year in, at a party for the riders at Texana Learning Center, her name was announced as Most Improved — and the whole room began chanting it.
James
Those who know James would describe him as quiet, reserved and very cautious about trying anything new. He attended his first Bloom class with a lot of hesitancy and did not participate — he just watched. At his fifth class, James gently took the instructor’s arm and asked to go up on the stage. He wanted to lead a move. He has been an enthusiastic participant ever since.
Kenny
Kenny lives in an all-male home. When his home teacher recognised his Bloom shirt and asked him about it, Kenny immediately lit up with great pride — and then began showing the whole house the exercises, leading them through the movements himself.
Michelle
Michelle is in her mid-50s. At the start of a recent class she approached the instructor to let him know that she did not like to exercise. He accepted that. She immediately followed it with, “But Bloom is fun. Can we make class last longer?”
Dez
Dez lives with Down syndrome and had never attended a fitness class. She entered her first Bloom class almost scared, and getting onto the stationary bike was difficult. The instructor checked on her several times; she was not about to get off. She came back time after time, which surprised her parents and the staff. Years later she is still here — and never misses a BloomLive! class.
Anwar
Anwar is one of our superstar athletes at The Harris Center. During quarantine his family struggled to motivate him to move, until they had the idea to set out his Bloom shirt and shorts. Something sparked, and he has been on his bike every day since. His mother says the only problem is that she now has to wash the shirt daily. What a great problem, we say.
Xavier
Xavi’s smile is brighter than sunshine! He is CAMP University’s athlete with the most classes under his belt — an impressive 194 completed — and he keeps his fitness journey going at home with the Bloom app. He loves exercising alongside his friends, and beyond traditional workouts he has a special passion for dancing, particularly to Michael Jackson, where he encourages others to join in. His leadership and joyful spirit make him a true star of the Bloom community.
What Bloom sounds like.
Bloom helps me because I used to feel sluggish and out of shape, and now I feel more active and more energized — it actually helped my mood too. I feel more happy and outgoing.
I enjoy being in the Bloom classes because I love doing the exercises and helping other people. If they need help with something, I am always there.
Thanks again for bringing Bloom to T&L. Philip and his friends love it and always look forward to it. It seems to have helped Philip’s mobility and he seems happier.
Thank you, sponsors
The organizations that make $1-per-class possible.
Bring Bloom
to your org.
Partner with us to give your athletes access to adaptive fitness. Setup is simple, costs are low, and the impact is immediate.
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Bloom class.
Your donation directly funds programming for adults with IDD who wouldn't otherwise have access to fitness.
Every story starts with someone choosing to give.
$1 gives one adult with IDD access to one Bloom class. Your gift makes every one of these stories possible.