Deaf personal trainer wants to break down barriers he says are putting disabled people off using gyms
Dean Chester, of Hounslow, says too many deaf people lack the confidence to join a gym
Dean Chester wants to help more deaf people like him achieve their fitness goals
A deaf personal trainer wants to break down barriers and help more people like him join their local gym.
Dean Chester, of Hounslow , says hitting the gym transformed his life, not just helping him get in shape, but building his confidence and opening the path to a new career.
But the 25-year-old believes too many deaf people still lack the confidence to sign up to the gym - something he is desperate to change.
Dean before and after getting in shape
"Many deaf people fall into the trap where they find themselves staying in all the time, not confident enough to join a gym with hearing people," he said.
"I want to change that. I believe they'll be more confident if they have access to a deaf personal trainer, helping them to connect with the wider community more."
'Gyms could do more to make deaf people feel comfortable'
Mr Chester, who was born deaf, works out at Xercise4Less, in Staines Road, Hounslow, where he says staff have always been helpful and welcoming.
But he says other gyms could be doing more to attract deaf people, by using body language, notes or, where possible, providing a deaf personal trainer like him.
He was overweight and short on confidence when he joined the gym in 2012, but describes it as the best decision he ever made.
Dean says being deaf has not hindered his work as a personal trainer
As well as shedding more than four stone, he found it bolstered his flagging self-esteem, spurring him on to complete a degree in sport development and coaching.
Mr Chester, whose first language is BSL (British Sign Language), says he uses body language and demonstration more than verbal communication in his day job, and has not found being deaf a drawback.
'Anything is possible with the right mindset'
As well as training others, he has set up his own Facebook group, The Deaf Gym, and YouTube channel, Deaf Fitness and Nutrition.
There he posts tips and uploads video tutorials which he hopes will help make exercise more easily accessible to all deaf people.
"Joining the gym completely changed my life. It helped me to build up my confidence and lose weight," he said.
Dean's love of the gym inspired him to complete a degree in sport development and coaching
"Not only that, but it really opened up new doors for me, allowing me to engage with the 'hearing community' so much more.
"I thought becoming a personal trainer would be the perfect opportunity to put my degree to use, and prove to other deaf individuals that anything is possible with the right mindset."
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