Team Guts Offers Fitness Options To Special Needs Community

Story by Ingrid Sjostrand | Photos by Ed Abeska & Joyce Hill

Experiencing a runner’s high as you cross the finish line of a 5k, feeling the adrenaline rush when you score a goal, or the overwhelming joy and camaraderie from a team win are just a few of the many beneficial experiences of sports and fitness.

The gains are more than just physical; they are proven to increase mental health, making it incredibly important that these activities are available to everyone.

This is the mission of GUTSTM, located at 1008 Orchard St in Ferndale, started by brothers Todd and Paul Turner. GUTS stands for “Ground Up Training,” following the idea that the simplest forms of exercise are often the most effective and workouts should be tailored to the client.

“Regardless a person’s age, ability or activity level, or whether a person has special needs or not, our goal is to build you up physically and mentally and we start ‘from the ground up’ to make that happen,” Paul tells me. “We can all build on what we have.”

What makes GUTS stand out from all other gyms around is their focus on the special needs community, an initiative they call “Team GUTS.” Using research from Dr. Dale Ulrich, head of the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology, showing how early involvement in fitness can improve the health and functioning in pediatric disabilities, the Turner brothers have worked to create an environment and program tailored to special needs clients.

Fitness has always been important to the Turners. The lack of athletic options for special needs individuals hit close to home when Todd started looking for options for his youngest daughter Amarissa, who has a dual diagnosis of autism and Down syndrome.

“After searching for programs, it was evident to Todd that individuals in the special needs community had little or no options when it came to physical fitness and athletics.” Paul says.

GUTS was established in August of 2015, has a 501(c)3 charity status and currently has about 20 clients. While they are working to build a clientele of special needs individuals they also offer personal training and classes to anyone. Their facility has a studio room for group classes, including yoga, Zumba and karate, there is a weight room, and the large turf area can handle baseball, soccer, football and other sports training.

“If you are interested, come try it, if your son or daughter, or your loved one that’s 25 or 26 has special needs we want them to check us out,” Paul says. Neither brother wants anything to be a deterrent to bringing a loved one to try Team GUTS, especially a financial situation.

“For families that can’t afford it, there’s an appli- cation for sponsor- ship. The goal is to not say no to any- body,”Paul encourages. Using money from charitable contributions and payment from other clients allows the Turners to offer these sponsorships.

“The neurotypical kids that come in here pay and so that’s how we are keeping everything afloat,” Paul says. “If this group can help this other group you have all kinds of clients that are crossing paths and it’s a healthy thing.”

Deciding to call Ferndale home has been beneficial to GUTS mission too. Having recently joined the Chamber of Commerce, Paul says everyone from the building inspectors to residents have been more than welcoming. “Ferndale is happening, the community has been very great, they’ve really embraced it,” he says.
Mindy Domke, a Ferndale resident of eight years, took her seven-year old son, who has autism spectrum disorder, to Team GUTS.

“It’s a great facility; Paul took my kids for a personal tour the first time we were there. He’s done a fantastic job creating a safe and encouraging space for kids to be active,” Mindy says. “My oldest son loves sports but can get frustrated with normal organized classes for kids his age. We went to TEAM GUTS karate class and my son loved it. It’s amazing to have a business in my city like this.”

GUTS currently has eight trainers and coaches, as well as Todd. They are all qualified and enthusiastic about helping others and teaching sports and fitness.

“These year round fitness classes are for this audience, and we would love for people to come and check it out for free,” Paul urges. “No obligations, meet us, meet the instructors, and see if your loved one engages. The goal is to get something for everyone.”

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