1st Gym In Tampa Founded By Trainer With Autism

TAMPA, FL -- The Tampa area has seen many firsts, and now, a talented personal trainer has another one for the history books: the first exercise training studio owned and operated by a trainer with autism.

Mark Fleming founded Puzzle Piece Fitness LLC as a way to help individuals with autism and related disorders improve their lives through exercise. Fleming holds a master's degree in human performance from the University of Alabama and is a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise. He opened his new gym on Race Track Road in Tampa on Feb. 23. The gym opening was featured on local TV news outlets including CBS News 10 and Spectrum Sports.

Fleming is also an ambassador for a local nonprofit called Help Us Gather, or HUG. HUG advocates for inclusion and connects individuals with disabilities to social events and activities. Fleming connects with HUG’s mission of social inclusion; he hopes to bring that same welcoming atmosphere to his new gym.

Living with autism gives Fleming a unique perspective on his clients’ needs, helping him provide one-of-a-kind adaptive fitness training. On top of giving people with autism a way to stay active and healthy, Fleming said, “I also want to be a person that these individuals can turn to, so they can see they are not alone or helpless.”

Fleming was honored with HUG’s Mr. Powerful 2019 award at the Beyond Incredible event on April 6.

Fleming is available for celebrity appearances in the Tampa Bay community. For more information, click here or call the HUG office at (727) 489-5885.

For more information on Puzzle Piece Fitness, call 813-475-5325.