New Vegan Gym Opens in California

All-vegan gym PlantBased Fitness recently opened in Oakland, CA. The gym offers services such as private fitness and mindset training, vegan nutrition and accountability coaching, cooking classes, corporate wellness, and a plant-based kids’ club. Owner Gary Whitaker opened the studio after his own health transformation in 2010—which included adopting a plant-based diet and committing to a fitness routine—resulted in a 26-percent body-fat loss and 27-pound weight loss, and sparked a passion for showing others what is possible on a plant-based diet. “I searched to find a program that fit my needs, one centered on total wellness and plant-based nutrition, and my findings fell short of what I was seeking,” Whitaker told VegNews. “PlantBased Fitness is more than just a gym; we are a transformation studio. This means you will find services here that are rarely part of a fitness facility; services that not only build strength and functional fitness but also address member health from a holistic perspective that are designed to foster a mind-body transformation.” Whitaker plans to expand his vision of bringing holistic wellness to underserved communities by opening eateries, juice bars, holistic healing centers, and online platforms. Last year, vegan gym Liberation Barbell opened in Portland, OR and offers similar services, including all-vegan nutritional supplements, in an inclusive environment that welcomes all body types, genders, and sexual orientations.