Every day, people of all ages, sizes, and abilities walk through the doors of ZOOZ Fitness in Woodland Hills. Here, they lift weights, battle rope, and box in a gym like no other—one designed exclusively for people with disabilities.
“I love working out at ZOOZ because of the friendly atmosphere and great workouts!” said Loren Evans, an athlete who has been coming to ZOOZ for about three years.
Founded in 2014 by Jake Weiner, ZOOZ Fitness is approaching its 10th anniversary with an impressive 475 active members and a growing waitlist. Driven by a passion for fitness and inclusion, Weiner created a space where individuals with disabilities can thrive, physically, mentally, and socially.
“Before ZOOZ, I worked with people with disabilities in various settings including in schools and nonprofits and the people I worked with were often living sedentary lives and lacked opportunities to move their bodies,” Weiner explained. “I love fitness and movement, and I saw a huge need in this community. So, I asked myself: Why is no one doing this?”
Weiner, a psychology and marketing graduate, certified instructor in the martial art of Judo and certified personal trainer, began with just a few athletes, training in community centers and parks. As word spread, so did demand, eventually leading to the establishment of ZOOZ Fitness, named after the Hebrew word for “move.”
Today, ZOOZ offers one-on-one and group sessions, including circuit training, boxing, yoga, Zumba, and even virtual classes for those unable to attend in person. The gym also runs specialized programs, such as boxing for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and adapted martial arts. “We want you to walk in and feel ready to move your body,” Weiner said. “We have all the same equipment as traditional gyms; the only difference is how we coach and cue and adapt movements to meet individual needs.”
Bridging the Fitness Gap
The need for gyms like ZOOZ is immense. Studies reveal stark disparities in fitness access for people with disabilities:
● 60% of adults with mobility disabilities report no aerobic activity, putting them at higher
risk for chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
● Individuals with developmental disabilities are significantly less likely to meet physical
activity guidelines than their non-disabled peers.
● 81% of people with disabilities report feeling unwelcome in traditional fitness spaces.
“We’re not just a gym; we’re a bridge to better health and confidence for people who often don’t have access to these opportunities,” Weiner said.
More Than Physical Fitness
ZOOZ’s impact extends beyond physical fitness. Athletes have experienced weight loss,
improved self-esteem, and confidence. The gym also helps build essential skills through
exercise.
“For some folks with disabilities, social situations can be challenging,” Weiner shared. “So, we use a variety of exercises that encourage social interactions such as a med ball throw. By catching and throwing it, they practice focusing their gaze and improving coordination all while gaining the confidence to interact with someone else.”
Through creative adaptations like these, ZOOZ fosters growth that goes far beyond the gym floor.
Beyond the physical, mental, and emotional growth athletes achieve, they come to ZOOZ Fitness to also build something just as important—a sense of belonging.
Through shared workouts, encouragement, and moments of triumph, they foster meaningful friendships and create a close-knit community that extends far beyond the gym walls. These bonds help athletes feel seen, valued, and supported, turning ZOOZ into more than just a fitness space—it becomes a second home.
The community they build reinforces the belief that fitness is about more than individual progress; it’s about growing stronger together.
“There is a sense of community that other gyms don’t have,” Loren said.
Building Community
ZOOZ is a family affair, with Jake’s wife, Shahar, running Fundamental Milestones, a program for parents with their babies.
“I help parents guide their babies through sensory-motor connections and key developmental milestones,” Shahar said. “It’s about laying the foundation for healthy development while building a strong parent-child bond.”
Athletes and parents alike speak to the life-changing atmosphere ZOOZ creates.
Loren shared how working out at ZOOZ gave him newfound independence, confidence, and physical strength.
“I am comfortable there,” Loren said. “It gave me belonging.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Jake Weiner is focused on growing ZOOZ Fitness to meet the overwhelming demand. His goal is for ZOOZ to be in every city and for other gyms to use ZOOZ as an example of what they should be – inclusive of the entire population. He also hopes to create a program to educate trainers about working with people with disabilities.
"I am doing exactly what I was put on their earth to do," Weiner said. "Fitness has the power to break down barriers, uniting people in ways that overcome limitations. Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience that, regardless of their abilities."
As ZOOZ Fitness enters its next decade, its mission remains clear: transforming lives through movement, one lift, one jump, and one athlete at a time.
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