Fitness For Hope FAQs
What is Fitness For Hope?
- Fitness For Hope is intended to inspire hope and support those who are struggling, as well as remember those that we have lost to suicide.
- The goal for 2026 is to continue growing Fitness For Hope!
How do I participate in Fitness For Hope?
Fitness studios and gyms:
- Pick a day/time during Fitness For Hope weekend to host a donation class at your location (or location of your choosing)
- Send your class details to FitnessForHopeOrg@gmail.com
- Promote your donation class
- Host your donation class
Participants
- Find a donation class near you (lists start in August, as classes are added)
- Sign up directly with the studio
- Attend the donation class
- Donate to Fitness For Hope (non participants are welcome to donate)
Want to join us in September 2026?
Email us at FitnessForHopeOrg@gmail.com
What is the ask for fitness studios/gyms:
We ask that you host at least 1 donation class specific to the cause, at your location, and instead of charging for the class, those that attend the donation class, make a donation to Fitness For Hope
What is the ask for participants?
Attend a donation class at a participating studio, and since the class is a donation class (free), participants are encouraged, but not required, to make a donation to Fitness For Hope in place of paying for the class (non-participants are welcome to donate as well)
When is Fitness For Hope weekend?
September 11 – 13, 2026
Who can I contact with questions?
Kelli at (fitnessforhopeorg@gmail.com)
Do we have to host a donation class every day that weekend?
You do not. We ask that you host your class (or classes) between Friday – Sunday, during Fitness For Hope weekend. If you want to do multiple days and classes, that’s fine too. We want this to be something easy and turnkey for you.
What do we have to do on the day of the class?
- We ask that you bring your #FitnessForHope class to life in a way that inspires hope! You pick the class, the music, and anything else you’d like to support your donation class.
- Please be sure to make the QR code easily visible, along with any material the organizations may send you (pending available supplies).
- Please take a class picture before or after the class and send it to us at fitnessforhopeorg@gmail.com. Any additional photos and videos you’d like to take, we’d love those as well.
How do we get more participants?
- Share, share, share! We found in past years, studios/gyms had success by sharing on their social media, and ensuring members that already attend their studio were aware of the donation based class. Encourage people to bring friends, and spread the word!
- We will be supporting by sharing (and resharing) on social media, as well as radio and TV, as much as we can!
Can we host more than 1 donation class?
Absolutely! We know every studio and gym is different, and we want you to do what works best for you. Some studios host 1 class, while other studios host multiple.
Who does Fitness For Hope benefit?
100% of the proceeds from Fitness For Hope go directly to mental health and suicide prevention efforts. More details as to why these organizations, and how more can be added, can be found on the donation page. Participants can choose to donate to one of the following organizations.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) – supporting national suicide prevention and awareness programs.
- The Joe Burrow Foundation – providing resources to overcome mental health challenges, with a focus on underserved communities in Ohio and Louisiana.
- 1N5 – a Cincinnati-based nonprofit focused on mental health education and stigma reduction in Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Indiana
Want to support a different mental health organization in your community? That’s wonderful too. What matters most is taking action and inspiring hope. 💜 Please let us know if you do, and the amount, so we can include it in the overall total
Are donations required?
Donations aren’t required — but they are strongly encouraged. This weekend is about coming together to support mental health and suicide prevention, and 100% of donations go directly to mental health foundations. Even a small amount — like what you’d spend on a coffee or the regular price of the class you’re taking — can make a meaningful difference.
How are donations collected?
- Donations are collected directly through the official websites of each organization, linked from the donation page. QR codes, driving to the donation page, will also be provided
- We ask that all that attend a donation class, make a donation to the link/QR provided
- Want to send your donations to a foundation local to you? Wonderful! Please collect donations at your studio/gym, and send directly to that foundation in honor of Fitness For Hope. We’d love to know the total to add it to our overall count!
- We/Fitness For Hope do not collect any donations
What if someone wants to donate cash?
We’ll take cash donations as well. We ask them to provide cash to the studio manager or owner, and for the studio manager or owner to donate directly on the donation site, on their behalf.
What if our studio/gym wants to participate, but we don’t have classes (or are unable to host a donation based class)?
We understand a donation based class isn’t possible for everyone and are thankful for any support you can provide. You’re welcome to hang the printed QR code in your studio/gym, email a link to your members, or share on social media. Whatever works best for you!
Will you provide content we can share in support?
Download these customizable assets to help you promote Fitness For Hope weekend while incorporating your own brand style. The AFSP website has additional content available to download.
What will you provide?
- A link and QR code to the donation page. FitnessForHope.org also has a link.
- Support however we can!
I know another studio/gym that would be interested, can we share this with them?
Yes please! The more participants the better. Please have them reach out to us directly: fitnessforhopeorg@gmail.com
How else can we support?
- If you have any local news, radio, and/or social media accounts that can help spread the word, please share with them.
- Tag FitnessForHope on Instagram in your posts, for reposting
Is Fitness For Hope a non-profit organization?
Fitness For Hope is a registered LLC. While we’re not a nonprofit, 100% of class donations go directly to the mental health and suicide prevention organizations we partner with. Our mission is to raise awareness and funds through this community-driven fitness event.