Volunteer at ABL Fitness
Help athletes build strength, confidence, independence, and belonging through fitness.
Why Volunteer at ABL Fitness
Volunteering at ABL Fitness is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while developing leadership, communication, and real-world experience. Whether you’re looking to give back, earn community service hours, or explore a future career in healthcare, education, or fitness, you’ll gain valuable skills while helping athletes build strength, confidence, and belonging.
Community Service & Experience
Earn community service hours while gaining hands-on experience working with children, teens, and adults of all abilities.
Build Meaningful Connections
Develop relationships with athletes, coaches, families, and fellow volunteers while helping create a welcoming and inclusive community.
Leadership Development
Practice communication, encouragement, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that will benefit you in school, sports, and future careers.
Explore Healthcare & Education Careers
Gain valuable exposure for students interested in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nursing, medicine, education, psychology, exercise science, and related fields.
Make a Lasting Impact
Your encouragement and support help athletes build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of movement.
Learn Adaptive Fitness
Discover how individualized coaching, adaptive strategies, and inclusive fitness can help every athlete succeed.
Who You'll Support
At ABL Fitness, volunteers support children, teens, and adults of all abilities as they build strength, confidence, independence, and lifelong fitness skills.
Neurodiversity
Athletes with autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing differences, and other neurodivergent experiences.
Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Athletes with developmental and cognitive disabilities who benefit from individualized instruction and adaptive coaching.
Physical & Neurological Disabilities
Athletes with physical disabilities, neurological conditions, visual impairments, and other unique support needs.
What Volunteers Do
Helping Athletes Succeed Every Session
Volunteers are an important part of the ABL Fitness experience. Working alongside our coaches, volunteers help create a welcoming, supportive environment where athletes can build strength, confidence, independence, and meaningful connections.
You don’t need to be a fitness expert or have previous experience working with individuals with disabilities. Our coaches provide guidance, training, and support every step of the way.
Be a Workout Partner
Exercise alongside athletes, participate in workouts, and help create a fun, encouraging environment where everyone feels included.
Demonstrate Movements
Show athletes how exercises are performed by modeling movements and participating in class activities.
Encourage and Motivate
Celebrate successes, offer encouragement, and help athletes build confidence through positive interactions and support.
Support Social Connection
Help athletes connect with peers, coaches, and volunteers while fostering friendships, teamwork, and a sense of belonging.
Assist During Activities
Support coaches by helping athletes stay engaged, transition between activities, and participate successfully in class.
Be a Positive Role Model
Demonstrate patience, kindness, respect, and enthusiasm while helping create an inclusive community where every athlete can thrive.
Volunteers are never expected to provide medical care or manage behaviors independently. Our coaches lead every class and provide the training, guidance, and support volunteers need to be successful.
Time Commitment
Consistency Creates Connection
Many athletes build confidence, trust, and meaningful relationships through familiar faces and predictable routines. When volunteers attend regularly, athletes feel more comfortable, supported, and connected within the class environment.
Preferred Commitment
- Volunteer for one class per week
- Commit for at least 8–12 weeks when possible
This allows volunteers and athletes to build meaningful relationships and creates a more consistent experience for everyone involved.
Flexible Opportunities Available
We understand that school schedules, sports, work, and family commitments can change throughout the year.
If you are unable to commit weekly, we still encourage you to reach out. We are often able to find volunteer opportunities that fit a variety of schedules.
How to Get Started
Joining Our Volunteer Team Is Easy
We’re excited you’re interested in becoming part of the ABL Fitness community. Follow the steps below to begin your volunteer journey.
2️⃣ Connect With Our Team
We’ll reach out to connect about volunteer opportunities that may be a good fit.
3️⃣ Watch Training Video
4️⃣ Start Making an Impact
Join a class, build connections, and help athletes grow stronger, more confident, and more connected.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Whether you’re looking to earn community service hours, explore a future career, or simply give back to your community, we’d love to have you on our team.
What Our Volunteers Say
“Volunteering at ABL Fitness has become extremely meaningful to me and a highlight of my week! From my first day to now I was welcomed into a community built by encouragement, perseverance, and genuine connection. Getting to know each athlete independently has been incredibly rewarding. Each athlete’s determination, positivity, and willingness to challenge themselves each week has changed my perspective on how I can take on different risks. I am extremely thankful to ABL Fitness for all of the connections I have made with so many incredible people. I have volunteered in various classes including adaptive kids, adaptive teens, and the inclusive powerlifting class. Through my time at ABL fitness each athlete has taught me the important lessons of resilience, connection, and the ability to show up for one another.”
Caroline (Needham)
ABL Fitness has truly been an experience that has shaped me as a person. Throughout my junior year, I tried to find organizations and activities that felt rewarding and made me feel I was giving back to my community, and I found that happiness and satisfaction through volunteering for Adaptive Teen and Adult classes. Not only was I able to help many young adults take steps in their fitness journey, but I also developed a passion for physical activity and movement. Spending time with Ariyanna and the athletes at ABL Fitness is an experience I will forever savor, and I credit it to my growing love for helping others through movement.
Lauren (Wellesley)
“ABL Fitness is a wonderful and accepting community of students, staff, and volunteers that fosters inclusiveness. My time with Adaptive Kids and Teens classes as a volunteer has taught me a lot about myself and others, and greatly improved my ability to support kids with different needs.”
Zoe (Belmont)
Frequently Asked Questions
- High school students
- College students
- PT, OT, SLP, nursing, and medical students
- Exercise science and kinesiology students
- Future teachers and educators
- Coaches and athletes
- Community members
- Anyone passionate about inclusion
No. Volunteers are not expected to be fitness experts. Our coaching team provides training, guidance, and ongoing support so you can feel confident in your role. The most important qualities are enthusiasm, patience, and a willingness to connect with athletes.
No. Many volunteers join ABL Fitness with little or no previous experience. We provide training on communication, inclusion, and ways to support athletes of all abilities.
We generally welcome volunteers ages 14+ (9th grade or older). Younger volunteers may be considered on a case-by-case basis with parent involvement.
Yes. Many of our volunteers are high school and college students earning community service hours for school requirements, National Honor Society, scholarships, and other programs. Documentation can be provided upon request.
We encourage volunteers to participate consistently whenever possible. A commitment of one class per week for 8–12 weeks helps athletes build trust and meaningful relationships, but we understand schedules vary and will work with you when possible.
Please wear comfortable athletic clothing and sneakers suitable for participating in fitness activities.
No. Volunteers work alongside experienced coaches who lead every class. Volunteers provide encouragement, support, and peer mentoring while coaches oversee programming, instruction, and athlete safety.
Our athletes include children, teens, and adults with a variety of abilities and support needs, including autism, ADHD, anxiety, intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and neurological conditions.
Absolutely. Many volunteers join with friends, classmates, teammates, siblings, or family members. Volunteering together can be a great way to get involved while supporting athletes and building community.
Yes. Volunteering at ABL Fitness provides valuable hands-on experience for students interested in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, nursing, medicine, psychology, education, exercise science, and related fields.
That’s completely normal. Many volunteers feel that way before their first class. Our team will provide training, support, and guidance to help you feel comfortable and successful from day one.
Many volunteers have little or no prior experience when they start. Our training introduces volunteers to neurodiversity, communication strategies, and ways to support successful participation. Most volunteers quickly discover that building relationships starts the same way it does with anyone else—through kindness, consistency, encouragement, and respect.
Ready to Get Started?
Every athlete deserves the opportunity to build strength, confidence, and belonging. Join our volunteer team and help make a difference in your community.
