Trauma informed weight lifting: considerations for coaches, trainers and gym environments

Area of Science:

• Exercise Science
• Psychology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Weight lifting is increasingly recognized as a valuable complementary treatment for psychological trauma and related disorders.
• Significant barriers hinder participation in weight lifting, particularly for trauma-affected populations.
• Trauma-informed care principles (safety, trust, peer support, empowerment, etc.) offer a framework for accessible healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key elements for psychological healing within a gym setting from the perspective of trauma survivors.
• To develop evidence-based guidelines for creating trauma-informed weight lifting programs.
• To reduce barriers to weight lifting as an adjunct trauma intervention.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining semi-structured interviews and surveys.
• Informed by the lived experiences and recommendations of trauma-impacted weight lifters nationwide.
• Data collection focused on conceptualizing psychological healing in the gym environment.

Main Results:

• Identified salient experiential categories for psychological healing in the gym.
• Proposed guidelines for developing trauma-informed weight lifting programs.
• Highlighted the need for professionalization of personal trainers in trauma competencies.

Conclusions:

• Weight lifting can be an effective adjunct therapy for trauma survivors.
• Trauma-informed programming is crucial to overcome participation barriers.
• This research supports integrating trauma-informed practices into personal training for improved client outcomes.