“The purpose of Enable was to build a community for people with similar experiences—because there just wasn’t anywhere else that was truly accessible to everyone. We’re the only ones providing that kind of service.”
That’s the word from Zoe Darling, who co-owns Enable Fitness with her husband Ross Gray. This unique, disability-only gym has grown from a single service into a thriving network, welcoming two new locations in May.
The idea for Enable was sparked when Ross, an exercise physiologist, noticed a gap in post-rehabilitation support.
“[Ross] was working at the Hampstead Rehab Centre in the Spinal Injury Unit and he noticed when patients were coming through and finishing up their rehab at the hospital, he had nowhere to refer them to,” Zoe explains.
What began six years ago with Ross working one-on-one has now grown to four sites and over thirty staff.
“We’ve been really surprised at how quickly we’ve grown, but we knew there was a market there. Ross had so many clients coming through crying out for their service,” she adds.
Listening to their clients, Zoe and Ross identified where the services were needed most – and so – brand new Kidman Park and St Marys locations were born.
“The opening of the last two gyms have given us coverage across all of metro Adelaide. We are now north, south, east and west of the city. Anywhere in Adelaide you can reach an Enable Fitness Centre in about 20 minutes,” explains Zoe.
Located in the heart of Adelaide’s southern and western suburbs, the new clinics are close to shops, transport and other disability services.
Enable Fitness Centre covers a plethora of holistic and complementary allied health services, completely accessible for wheelchair users, ambulant clients with both physical and intellectual disabilities, clients with immune disorders and those with intellectual disabilities.
The gyms are designed to feel like a typical gym, without the clinical feel that can deter people already navigating a medical-heavy lifestyle.
“We didn’t want to create somewhere that feels like you’re going into a hospital and doing more therapy because a lot of our clients are in medical appointments all the time,” says Zoe.
“We set it up to feel warm and inviting, friendly, still like a regular gym where [people] come and work out, but it’s still safe and accessible for them.”
The spaces are filled with custom-built wheelchair accessible equipment safe for a range of abilities, and the appointment based sessions mean that staff can control how many people are in the space, making sure nothing is overwhelming or uncomfortable for clients. Client needs are at the forefront, every step of the way.
“A lot of our clients are very high needs, so we control how many people are in the space, who’s using what equipment, and people can do their programs under the supervision of an expert,” says Zoe.
According to Zoe, the community response to the two new additions has been incredible.
“The disability community is so excited to have more dedicated spaces to workout, access allied health services and socialise, conveniently located closer to home.”
As for what’s next for this growing community, “We would love to open more, we’re just waiting to hear back from our community about where that should be, and whether there is a demand for it,” says Zoe.
“Once a client starts with us, they realise that they love it and they stay and that enables us to keep growing.”
From one man filling a gap to a team of 30 supporting hundreds, Zoe and Ross have created a community movement. And with their client-led approach to accessibility and care, there’s no doubt Enable’s impact will keep growing.
WHAT: Enable Fitness Centre Kidman Park and St Marys
WHERE: 308/320 Grange Rd, Kidman Park and 1133 South Rd, St Marys
For more info, click here.
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