Fitness Clubs Explore Mental Health Integration as Solace New York Pilots Counseling Access In-House
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
A new partnership between nonprofit mental health organization Solace House Inc. and Manhattan-based strength and social club Solace New York is pushing the boundaries of how wellness is defined in fitness spaces. Beginning July 1, 2025, members and staff at Solace New York will have access to free, confidential mental health services directly within the gym environment.
The initiative, which marks the first known collaboration of its kind in the United States, will embed virtual counseling services from Solace House into the daily rhythm of a private fitness club setting. The goal, according to both organizations, is to expand access to mental health care while reducing stigma by integrating it into spaces already associated with personal transformation.
“This is about meeting people where they are—not just physically, but emotionally,” said Dr. Nandini M. Collins, CEO of Solace House Inc. “By embedding access to mental health care into a fitness community, we’re rewriting the playbook on how and where healing begins.”
Solace House is a nonprofit that provides life-saving virtual mental health services. Through the partnership, clients will be able to book appointments quickly and at no cost, creating a low-barrier entry point to care for those who may not otherwise seek help.
Solace New York, known for blending strength training with social and community engagement, sees the initiative as a natural extension of its wellness philosophy. “At Solace New York, we believe that true wellness extends far beyond the four walls of the gym or what you’re able to accomplish physically,” said CEO Bryan Bullock. “The other side of that coin is mental health—something every human being grapples with, yet too often goes unspoken or unsupported. By partnering with Solace House, we’re making a clear statement: mental wellness matters just as much as physical strength.”
In addition to offering on-demand counseling services, Solace New York is developing a donation feature that will give members the option to contribute directly to Solace House each time they engage with the facility.
The collaboration highlights a growing awareness within the fitness industry that physical and mental health are deeply connected. While many gyms and studios promote stress relief and improved mood as secondary benefits of exercise, few offer structured access to mental health support. This partnership suggests a possible new model—one where fitness facilities serve as holistic wellness hubs rather than single-purpose workout venues.
The origin of the partnership was coincidental: both organizations happen to share the name “Solace.” But that overlap led to a conversation between the two CEOs and ultimately to a shared vision of what integrated wellness could look like.
Though the long-term outcomes remain to be seen, the launch is attracting attention from others in the industry looking to reframe what it means to serve the whole person.
