Aaron Howard, Author at Inclusively Fit

Inclusively Fit is a 5,000 square-foot gym that really focuses on the physical AND psychological benefits of fitness.

The Macomb County gym welcomes families of all abilities with all kinds of needs . It’s run by Mark Ralko, who used to work at a school. He said that parents of special needs kids would often ask him to help their kids become part of the sports teams. He told Fox 2 that first, it was just a few kids, then it became five, then ten…and he realized there was a need for this program.

Seven years later, he opened his own gym. And it’s helped people like Danny, who has cerebral palsy and struggled just to walk through the door. Now, a little over a year later, he’s RUNNING!

Inclusively Fit has clients from the ages of 4 to 55. Not gonna lie, we’d LOVE to take our son, who’s high functioning on the autism spectrum, to this gym!

Read More: Sterling Heights Gym Helps Kids, Adults With Special Needs | https://wcrz.com/sterling-heights-gym-helps-kids-adults-with-special-needs-the-good-news/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (WJBK) – Inclusively Fit is a fitness facility in Sterling Heights where everyone is welcome. Families with special needs and all ability levels are always welcome no matter what the age.

“We see success in their self confidence, self esteem, socially, physcially; so we see a transformation,” says Mark Ralco his clients.

Before he opened Inclusively Fit, he worked in a school district where parents would ask him to help their special needs kids become a part of the sports team.

“So, they asked me to work out with their child and when that happened, it started out as one, then five, then 10 – and I knew there was a niche and there was a need for this program,” he says.

Seven years later that program led him to opening his own gym and adaptive fitness program for kids with special needs. His clients range from 4 to 55 years old. Some, like Riley, come from all over southeast Michigan just to see him.

“One year ago, it was hard to get Riley to even come inside the gym. I’d have to go into the parking lot, say, ‘Riley, it’s time to work out,'” Ralco says. “He wouldn’t leave his car. He would just kick, scream and holler and didn’t want any part of coming here.”

Everyone can see Riley’s progress now, though.

“Just being proud of himself, he has more confidence. He feels good and he’s happy. This made all the difference in the world for him,” says Suzanne O’Leary, Riley’s mom.

“Any disability, anybody can come in. Doesn’t matter if you’re able bodies or not able bodied, it’s geared toward the person who needs the help,” says athlete Christina Rossi.

She means it – and Mark does, too.

“I’m always learning. I want to grow as an individual more. I’m constantly learning about this profession and I just hope I can impact every single life that comes through these doors,” he says.

Marks clients can be diagnosed with cognitive impairments, down syndrome, autism; can be emotionally imparied, hearing imparied or physically imparied. If you’d like to learn more go to www.inclusivelyfit.org.

From ballet to basketball, there are many options to keep kids physically active. But it can get a bit more complex with special needs in the mix.

That’s why Mark Ralko opened Inclusively Fit. Since mid-July, this Sterling Heights center has helped people of all ages and abilities get strong and healthy.

“I would say about 80 percent of our clients are kids,” says Ralko, who previously worked with special needs youth at the Birmingham YMCA. He noticed that when training stopped, though, skills tapered off. And parents began requesting special sessions.

“Once I started training people off-site, the word started spreading like wildfire,” says Ralko, who holds a special education bachelor’s degree with concentrations in cognitive impairment and adaptive physical education.

At Inclusively Fit, he specializes in one-on-one training for all physical and cognitive disabilities. It begins with a meeting and creating an adaptive plan.

“What is the method of communication that we need to use? Can he speak? Does he need visual demonstrations or hand-over-hand prompting?” Ralko finds out and helps clients set goals and a personalized program. Then, the action begins.

That may include athletics like tennis and football, life skills like stairs and cycling or modified versions of jump rope and pushups – lots of obstacle courses, too, particularly for younger kids. You’ll also find weight machines, cardio equipment and dumbbells. Plus ask about future group fitness classes and even tutoring.

“We want them to succeed physically because we are a gym,” Ralko says, “but we also want them to succeed in other aspects of their life.”

Address: 37980 Commerce Drive, Sterling Heights
Phone: 586-850-5004
Hours: By appointment only
Ages: Ages 5-plus

A gym created to keep people with special needs fit has opened in Sterling Heights. It is helping clients physically and mentally.

Riley O’Leary, 18, has down syndrome, but that hasn’t stopped him from staying active.

At Inclusively Fit in Sterling Heights, O’Leary is taking the right steps to stay healthy, thanks to his trainer, Mark Ralko.

Ralko said, “There is no gym like this anywhere, it’s really needed out there.”

Mark has been working with Riley for the past five years.

“I trained him to be on the track team. Everyday after school he and I would go out to the track, I would say, ‘Okay Riley, this is a track, we got to learn how to run around it.’ I taught him how to stretch, how to properly run,” he explained.

Mark is a former special needs teacher but noticed his students weren’t getting enough exercise outside of physical therapy.

“They feel better cognitively, emotionally, they feel better about themselves.”

After years one-on-one training, he opened the gym specializing in folks with special needs.

Mark helps his clients stay fit or trains them for certain sports.

“They just feel a part of the community and a part of something and it goes above and beyond physical exercise. They perform better in school, they sleep better at night, they have better behaviors.”

For families, Inclusively Fit is more then just a gym.

“Share stories, we understand each other, and working in a group it’s so nice because then they can have social (interaction),” said Suzanne O’Leary,Riley’s mother. “They are getting a physical workout.”

Mark has about 40 clients. He hopes to see that number grow and open up more gyms in the next few years.

“There life completely changes when they start exercising.”

The gym’s rate starts at $25 a month.

They will soon start a scholarship program for families who cannot afford the training.

NYIEMA NYIEMA

20:24 05 Nov 22

The physical trainer Mark, is phenomenal with his clients. This gym is perfect for multiple ability needs.

Babb Martina

13:36 01 Jul 22

I love the community support I experience at OTF. I also feel the comradely of others yet I feel like I have a personal trainer. The coaches are the best, they really seem to care about all of the members.

Ellanore Evans

01:01 30 Apr 22

Love the food. Don’t like the automatic 3% tagged on to your bill when paying with a credit card though.

Tulsi Goel

09:28 16 Jan 21

Best gym I have ever been to. Would definitely recommend this place if you’re a serious fitness person or if your just getting started. Great staff as well!

Sue Jozwik

22:29 24 Nov 20

Love this place!! They do a great job of working with my son on his strength and muscle tone, as well as with his adhd and chatty personality.

Sterling Heights Gym Helps Kids, Adults With Special Needs

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Gym for people with special needs opens in Sterling Heights

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