From Camper to Committed Athlete: How Sam Found Her Strength at ZOOZ Fitness
- zoozfitness
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
Three days a week, Samantha (Sam) heads to ZOOZ Fitness with purpose.
Twice a week, she trains one-on-one with a personal trainer, and once a week she joins the adult circuit class—surrounded by peers, friends, and a growing community she now calls her own.
For 35-year-old Sam, fitness at ZOOZ is more than just exercise—it’s therapy. She loves all aspects of her workouts, especially "the hang" on the pull-up bar, pushing the sled, and mastering TRX squats. Her passion for fitness even inspired her to buy a new workout wardrobe to match her new active lifestyle.
“I love exercising at ZOOZ,” Sam says with pride.
The Beginning
ZOOZ Fitness is more than a gym—it’s a family. Today, it serves over 450 athletes with a waitlist that continues to grow. But the roots of ZOOZ run deep, and a handful of athletes, like Sam, have been with founders Jake and Shahar Weiner long before ZOOZ existed.
Their story began at Camp Ramah, where Sam was a camper and Jake and Shahar were counselors. Jake specifically worked in the program for people with disabilities. Sam, who has an intellectual disability that impacts her muscle tone and posture, still remembers the moment Jake stepped in to help her.
“I was at camp and dislocated my knee,” she recalls. “Jake had to carry me because my knee popped out of its socket.”
That moment wasn’t just a gesture of care—it was the beginning of a bond that would evolve into a lifelong commitment to Sam’s health and well-being.
Discovering ZOOZ
Before ZOOZ, Sam stayed active by walking, but her family didn’t feel comfortable sending her to a typical gym. The lack of accessibility and trained staff made fitness environments feel unsafe and overwhelming.
“A lot of these bigger gyms don’t have inclusive training or accessible equipment for people like Sam,” says Lynn, Sam’s mom. “And that’s a real problem because exercise isn’t optional for her—it’s essential.”
In addition to her lifelong challenges with muscle tone and posture, Sam was recently diagnosed with diabetes and high cholesterol. Regular, adaptive exercise became not just helpful, but critical.
When Jake opened the first physical ZOOZ gym in 2019, Sam joined—and never looked back. As the gym expanded to a larger location in Woodland Hills, so did Sam’s commitment. What started as trying something new became a lifestyle, a community, and a source of empowerment.
“I like working out with the trainers,” Sam says, beaming.
Her trainer, Travis Little, adds:
“Sam always shows up ready to push herself. She checks in on my family before each session, which says so much about who she is. She’s a motivator, a friend to everyone, and a shining example of everything we stand for at ZOOZ.”
The Impact
Sam’s progress is evident. She stands taller. Her muscle tone and posture have dramatically improved. Even more importantly—she hasn’t had any dislocations since working out at ZOOZ.
“She’s stronger and more confident,” Lynn says. “And the trainers and people at ZOOZ—like Jake, Shahar, and Travis—really understand that each person with special needs has individual goals and challenges. They tailor everything to the person, not the disability.”
But ZOOZ isn’t just about physical fitness—it’s about connection. Sam looks forward to seeing her friends each week. “I love getting to interact with people and meet new friends,” she says.
Every Sunday, after circuit class, a group of athletes and their parents—including Sam and Lynn—go out to lunch, continuing a tradition they started and deepened at ZOOZ.
“ZOOZ helps us maintain those relationships,” Lynn says. “It’s become a second home for so many of us.”
They’re also passionate about spreading the word.
“I was once in line at a department store and started talking to a dad with a son on the spectrum,” Lynn recalls. “I told him about ZOOZ because most people don’t know these places exist. The dad came back to thank me—because places like this are too often best-kept secrets.”
Why ZOOZ Matters
The need for inclusive gyms like ZOOZ is immense. The statistics speak volumes:
60% of adults with mobility disabilities report no aerobic activity, putting them at significantly higher risk for chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
Individuals with developmental disabilities are far less likely to meet basic physical activity guidelines than their non-disabled peers.
81% of people with disabilities report feeling unwelcome in traditional fitness spaces.
ZOOZ addresses these disparities head-on—creating a place where everyone belongs.
ZOOZ’s impact goes far beyond the gym floor. Athletes like Sam have experienced weight loss, improved strength and posture, better mental health, increased confidence, and the development of essential life skills. The gym has become a space where goals are met, friendships flourish, and transformation happens.
Moving Forward
Each session, Sam asks her trainer to record her progress—squats, step-ups, TRX holds. It’s her way of tracking how far she’s come and sharing her success with family.
During our interview, her mom, Lynn, reflected on these videos with visible emotion. “When I watch her videos,” she said, “I think, I’m not doing enough.”
Sam, noticing the shift in her mom’s voice, gently asked, “Are you crying?”
Lynn smiled through the moment. “No,” she told her daughter, “I’m just so proud of you.”
Sam isn’t slowing down. With every session at ZOOZ, she continues to grow stronger—inside and out. She shows up with determination, enthusiasm, and a spark that lifts the entire room.
Because at ZOOZ Fitness, strength isn’t just measured in reps or sets—it’s reflected in confidence, community, and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves a place to grow.
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