WELCOME TO THE FITGEEK GUILD,

HOME OF THE STRONGEST GEEKS IN THE VERSE.

WE’RE SO HAPPY YOU’RE HERE.

A mighty crew with a unified purpose: revolutionize the fitness industry.

We aim to empower (affectionately dubbed) nerds to prioritize their physical and mental health through fun and personalized fitness programs.

We envision a world where everyone, regardless of their background or interests, can enjoy the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle without feeling excluded or intimidated by modern fitness culture.

“Look, it’s not that hard. All you need to do is lift weights six days a week, stop drinking alcohol, don’t eat anything after 7pm, don’t eat any carbs or sugar at all, in fact just don’t eat anything you like, get the personal trainer from Magic Mike, sleep nine hours a night, run three miles a day, and have a studio pay for the whole thing over a six to seven month span. I don’t know why everyone’s not doing this. It’s a super realistic lifestyle and an appropriate body image to compare oneself to.”
— Rob Mcelhenney

Let’s face it, today’s fitness and gym culture… kinda sucks. We want to change that.

“Toxic gym culture manifests itself in all sorts of ways, though it can be tough to identify unless you’re the target. Bullying and sexual harassment are the most obvious examples, but by no means are they the only ones. Ageism, ableism, sexism, racism, fat-shaming, homophobia – if you train at a standard big-box gym, there’s a good chance this stuff is happening all around you."

- Paul Landini, The Globe and Mail

Maybe you’ve tried going to a gym in the past. You’ve tried dieting, keto, and fasting. You’ve done workouts that left you all but immobile for days after. Maybe you even tried a personal trainer. Why is it so hard to stick with it? Part of the issue is that “toxic fitness culture” permeates the very fabric of most gym and online environments.

Look at some of its characteristics as outlined by activist Ilya Parker:

  • The belief that fit has a look.

  • Personal trainers unwilling or unable to modify exercises that support your unique body.

  • Personal trainers who don’t believe you when you need to stop and tell you to push through pain.

  • Having a limited view of what fitness is.

  • Being coerced or shamed into working out.

  • Cultivating fitness spaces that AREN’T accessible or affirming to a diverse group of bodies.

  • Making fitness overly complicated to show authority or expertise.

Has toxic fitness culture made it difficult for you to develop a healthy relationship with exercise?

My name is Justin Mann, and I founded FitGeek Wellness.

I’m a researcher, gamer, anime fan, fitness enthusiast, martial artist, athlete, and a big nerd.

I’ve always had a wide range of interests: from fitness and professional sports to martial arts, and from anime/manga to science, video games and cosplay. I also have a passion for education, and helping people feel strong and confident in their bodies.

In 2021 I quit my job in clinical research to start FitGeek. I wanted to build a business that 1) actively dismantles the pillars of toxic fitness culture and 2) fosters a diverse community of people with a wide range of nerdy little interests.

FitGeek strives to:

  • Create a positive and inclusive environment free from judgement

  • Embrace geek-dom in all its glory

  • Acknowledge the importance of joys and responsibilities outside of fitness

  • Emphasize realistic goals and de-emphasize unrealistic body standards

  • Take a balanced approach to exercise and nutrition

  • Celebrate progress over perfection

  • Promote comprehensive well-being and sustainability

  • Prioritize mental health alongside physical health

  • Do all of this while getting you strong AF

We encourage our clients to embrace the nerdiest parts of themselves, so they can bring their best and most authentic selves along on their fitness adventure.

We want the Dungeon Masters, the One Piece stans, the late night streamers, and the Pokémon trainers. In fact, we want you to approach your fitness like a nerd! That is, with the same zeal as you would an RPG. Think of it this way: your body gives you access to your real-life skill tree. YOU chose where to put those skill points, and we’ll help you unlock them through bespoke, evidence-based programming.

Ultimately you’re the one putting in the work, earning the XP, and leveling up.

What say you? Board ship?