SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — A growing fitness program at Athletex Life & Sport Club is helping redefine who belongs in the gym. Led by coach Jake Loureiro, the gym now offers “adaptive” fitness classes that welcome individuals with developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities into a high-energy, community-oriented workout environment.

Loureiro, a certified trainer with a football coaching background, began leading the class after it started as a one-time community event. “After the first class, I texted my manager that night and said, ‘I want to take this over,'” Loureiro said. “It just felt right. The kids were smiling, their parents were proud, and I felt like I could really make a difference.”

What Is Adaptive Fitness?

The term “adaptive fitness” refers to physical training that is modified to meet the needs of people with a variety of abilities. It comes from “adaptive sports,” a term that became widely used in the mid-20th century to describe athletic activities designed for individuals with disabilities. The focus is on adapting the environment or the activity itself rather than trying to change the person.

That mindset is clear in the way Loureiro runs his class. Participants, including both children and adults, do everything from flipping tires to partner drills with medicine balls. Each exercise is adjusted based on the person’s mobility, strength, or coordination, but the overall goal remains the same.

“They work hard just like anyone else,” Loureiro said. “You’d be shocked at what they’re capable of when you stop babying them and start treating them like athletes.”

Creating Space for Growth

Loureiro said the class came together through a collaborative effort involving Athletex staff and local community advocates. Two local mothers—Jen Drennan and Maryann Miller—played a key role in bringing the vision to life. Both have children on the autism spectrum and had been actively advocating for more inclusive physical activity programs in the area.

Jen Drennan, a local mother of an intellectually and physically disabled teenager with autism, said the class represents a deeper kind of accessibility.

“It’s one thing to say, ‘Sure, we can accommodate your child.’ It’s another to say, ‘We built this class for YOU and your community specifically.’ THAT’S next-level inclusion,” Drennan said.

What started as a once-a-week kids’ class has grown into a program that includes adult sessions and meets twice a week: Mondays at 3:30 p.m. and Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Some parents stay and observe, occasionally offering input based on their child’s needs. Loureiro sees potential for that involvement to grow into something more structured.

“Eventually I’d love to have routines parents and kids can do together at home,” he said. “Make fitness something that stays with them even when they’re not at the gym.”

More Than Just a Workout

Loureiro has a personal connection to the work. He grew up with a speech impediment and spent time in special education classes. He remembers feeling misunderstood and often excluded. His father, who worked as both a football coach and special education teacher, helped shape his inclusive approach.

“I was always around those kids,” he said. “And I never saw them as less than. That stuck with me.”

Beyond helping participants build physical strength, the program is also giving them confidence and a sense of belonging. Loureiro recalled one boy who initially refused to do a squat in front of others but, after a few weeks, joined in with the rest of the class. “It’s about trust. It’s about making them feel seen, capable, and proud,” he said.

No Glass Ceiling

The program is still new, but interest is growing. Loureiro hopes to expand the class as more people hear about it and get involved. He’s not focused on limitations.

“There’s no glass ceiling here,” he said. “We’re not just helping them move better. We’re building something that matters—for them, for their families, and for the community.”

Anyone interested in participating or supporting the program can reach out to Coach Jake Loureiro on Instagram at @coachjakelou @athletex_laketahoe or contact Athletex Life & Sport Club directly.