Adaptive fitness program Special Strong opens first Tulsa-area location
Thu, July 23, 2026 at 7:09 AM
UpdatedThu, July 23, 2026 at 7:12 AM
Special Strong South Tulsa celebrated the opening of its first Tulsa-area location Thursday. The program offers personalized fitness training for children and adults with mental, physical and cognitive challenges, including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other conditions.
BIXBY, Okla. — A new adaptive fitness program is making sure people of all abilities have a place to work toward their goals
Special Strong South Tulsa celebrated the opening of its first Tulsa-area location Thursday. The program offers personalized fitness training for children and adults with mental, physical and cognitive challenges, including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other conditions
Unlike a traditional gym, every workout is customized to the individual athlete’s abilities and goals
“That’s a population that maybe can’t just walk into a gym and have a successful experience because they need a little extra guidance, a little extra support,” said Special Strong South Tulsa owner Suzanne Beckner. “We’re more focused on balance, coordination, sensory integration and how bodies were made differently.”
For Beckner and her husband, Mike, opening the gym is personal
The couple spent years searching for a fitness program that would meet the needs of their son, Anthony, who has Fragile X syndrome. After discovering Special Strong, they saw improvements not only in his physical strength but also in his confidence, independence and social interactions
Those changes inspired them to bring the adaptive fitness program to Green Country
“We couldn’t just walk into a gym and hand him over to a trainer and have it be a positive experience,” Beckner said. “When we found Special Strong, we knew there was a need for it in the Tulsa area.”
Certified coaches complete adaptive fitness training and design workouts around each athlete’s individual needs. While some participants focus on building strength, others work on improving balance, coordination, flexibility or everyday movement
Coach Corley Wagner said every athlete begins with a personalized plan
“Every workout is personalized for them and tailored directly to their needs,” Wagner said. “Whether that’s balance, stability or strength, we tailor it just for them.”
Wagner said the goal extends beyond physical fitness
“We want them to have fun,” he said. “Yes, we’re here to build our bodies and get stronger, but we also want them to excel in other ways and leave here with a big smile on their face.”
Athlete Charlie Ward said that’s exactly what keeps him coming back
“I find all my workouts very interesting,” Ward said. “The people help me and make it lots of fun.”
Owners say success looks different for every athlete. Each participant completes an evaluation before starting the program, allowing coaches to create measurable goals based on their individual abilities
Whether that means improving balance, gaining confidence or simply feeling more comfortable in a fitness setting, Beckner hopes families know they now have a place where they’re welcomed and supported
“We want them to find a place where their loved one is accepted, included and celebrated,” Beckner said
